Intra-Industry Specialization in Textiles and Apparel

This paper examines changes in intra-industry specialization indicators over the 1992-2004 period to assess potential for structural adjustment problems that may arise in U.S. textile and apparel products with growth in trade. Separate analyses are conducted for U.S. bilateral trade with China, Mexico, and DR-CAFTA members. Seven of the sixteen three-digit Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) product groups are expected to experience significant structural adjustment problems. With the exception of one group, all fall within the apparel and clothing (SITC 84) category. Results suggest substantial increases in U.S. imports from China are influencing these findings.