An Assessment of US Comparative Advantage in Technical Textiles from a Trade Perspective

With the sharp decline of the US textile industry since 1997, attention has been focused on the technical and industrial textile sector. This is widely believed to have a bright future as a result of US strengths in technology and the importance of product innovation in spurring market growth. However, there have been no formal academic studies of US competitiveness in this sector. This article measures the international competitiveness of the US technical and industrial textile sector and assesses how this has changed over time. Balassa’s Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) method has been used to conduct the analysis. Technical and industrial textile products identified from four-digit SITC classifications were divided into ‘higher-tech’ and ‘lower-tech’ categories according to their estimated technological intensity. The US RCA in each category, and in aggregate textiles, was compared against those of nine leading textile trading partners between 1992 and 2002. These were drawn equally from high, middle, and low-income country groups, based on World Bank classifications. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test for statistical significance. Overall, high-income countries enjoy a stronger international trade position in higher-tech products, while medium- and low-income countries have a stronger position in lower-tech products and aggregate textiles. While the US has maintained a revealed comparative advantage in higher-tech products with partners from all groups, it has a revealed comparative disadvantage in lower-tech products and in aggregate textiles. No statistically significant differences in US competitiveness between country groups and no changes in US competitiveness over time were found. The findings support the view that the US is a leader in sophisticated technical and industrial textile products. However, the maintenance of this position will be influenced by intensified international competition and the strategies of US companies, which may choose to relocate some operations offshore.