The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s recently appointed chief textiles and apparel negotiator, Katherine “Katie” White, made her inaugural official trip to North Carolina—a central hub of American textile companies—to meet with several member firms of the National Council of Textile Organization (NCTO) and learn about the impact of trade policies on this domestic supply chain.
White, who previously served as International Trade Policy Advisor on the House Committee on Ways and Means before joining the USTR last month, visited six plants: American & Efird, Parkdale Mills/U.S. Cotton, TSG Finishing, Shuford Yarns, Schneider Mills and Unifi.
During her visit, textile executives showcased the sector’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, emphasizing how the domestic sector makes “important contributions” to the U.S. economy—particularly by supplying the U.S. military with 8,000 products annually as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) for national health and safety. White also participated in an industry roundtable discussion at Gaston College’s Textile Center where executives discussed the competitiveness of the domestic industry.
“We want to sincerely thank Katie, who is taking on the role of chief textiles and apparel negotiator at a critical time for this industry,” said Kim Glas, NCTO’s president and CEO. “We appreciate her first visit in the new role is to see and meet with our industry firsthand. The U.S. textile industry is one of the most dynamic, innovative industries in the U.S. economy, and our co-production chain with our Western Hemisphere trade partners is essential. Trade policies are critical to this manufacturing sector and workforce.”
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White’s visit came, per the NCTO, at a “pivotal time.” The industry faces “severe economic headwinds” from allegedly predatory practices by foreign traders and “insufficient enforcement” of trade laws despite a $64.8 billion output in 2023 that employed 500,000 workers.
“Predatory trade practices employed by China and other countries are harming the domestic textile supply chain and our Western Hemisphere trade partners, and our industry is calling for urgent action by our government to address them head-on,” Glas said. “We are in anurgent economic situation where these serious issues the industry is facing need to be resolved immediately.”
The textile executives urged White to increase Section 301 China tariffs on finished textile and apparel imports, close the de minimis loophole, expand the Western Hemisphere co-production chain and maintain the yarn forward rule of origin, step up customs enforcement of textile and free trade agreement enforcement and penalties, and support domestic supply chains through Buy American and Berry Amendment policies that help to onshore production, spur investment, maintain the safety and security of the U.S. armed forces and generate new jobs.
“I want to thank NCTO president and CEO, Kim Glas, and NCTO member companies for hosting USTR in North Carolina for a tour of domestic textile manufacturers,” White said. “During the visit, we heard from textile industry leaders about the challenges they face in their day-to-day operations and opportunities to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the textiles sector. President Biden and Ambassador Tai are committed to advancing trade policies that level the playing field for American workers and industries, so they can compete in today’s global economy.”