In the past 12 years, textile and apparel imports have risen nearly six fold, from $4.3 billion in 1974 to $24.7 billion in 1986. During this time, foreign textile producers increased their U.S. market share from 5 percent to 12 percent while foreign apparel producers increased theirs from 8...

Some observers contend that manufacturing activity in rural areas has been more adversely affected than in urban areas by foreign competition. It is true, of course, that the economies of some rural areas have been devastated by closing of key manufacturing plants. Even if plant closings were...