The value added of US textile manufacturing increased 25 per cent from 2009 to 2018. The size of the US textile and apparel industry has significantly shrunk over the past decades. However, textile manufacturing is gradually making a comeback. Textiles accounted for nearly 70 per cent of the total output of the US textile and apparel industry in 2018, up from 58 per cent in 1998. Clothing accounted for 12 per cent of total US fiber production by 2012, suggesting non-apparel textile products, such as industrial textiles and home textiles, have become a more important part of the industry.

However, manufacturing jobs are not coming back to the US textile and apparel industry. From January 2005 to August 2019, employment in US textile manufacturing and apparel manufacturing declined by 44.3 per cent and 59.3 per cent respectively. However, improved productivity is one important factor behind the job losses.

The US remains a net textile exporter and a net apparel importer. Over 40 per cent of US-made textiles were sold overseas in 2018, up from only 15 per cent in 2000. Meanwhile, from 2009 to 2018, the value of US yarns and fabrics exports increased by 31.3 per cent and 43.6 per cent respectively.