ABSTRACT
In 1987, the raw cotton fiber equivalent of U.S. imports of textile products was 2.3 billion pounds (4.9 million bales), up 22 percent from the 1.9 billion pounds (4.0 million bales) of the previous year. At mid-1988 there are indications imports may be slowing. If this pattern persists, it would mitigate a large U.S. trade imbalance among textiles and apparel. This study analyzes trends in U.S. imports of cotton textiles and apparel and factors influencing imports. Seasonal adjustment factors and trade-weighted exchange rates are developed and statistical techniques employed to project future directions of U.S. imports.
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