Lessons for Latin America from the Asian Textile Industry Experience

This paper examines recent statistics in US textile and clothing trade with selected Latin American and Asian economies, comparing data on textile exports from the top 10 suppliers between 1995 and 2003. It evaluates the initial effects of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) of 1995, which provided for a 10-year quota phase-out process for WTO member countries. Since its accession into WTO, China has replaced Mexico as the top supplier of goods to the US. In addition, a brief comparison with other international experience of emerging economies is provided in order to elucidate the relevance of the textile industry in the region and world economy. This empirical work can be the starting point for policy-makers to design long-term policies that are needed for Latin America to compete successfully in the US market and promote the restructuring of clothing and textile production at the country level