i came across this last year. i had been thinking about the state of the textile industry, imports and how it would all unfold. i found this very insightful.

This idea of our future from Caroline Priebe, ULURU (cahmere knitwear company):

I believe the United States is about to have a post industrial revolution, industrial revolution.
I hope for this, despite the majority of my knitwear production occurring in china and potentially being out of a job.I looked to China not simply because labor was so cheap as everyone assumes, but because I had no other choice if I wanted to make fine cashmere knitwear. China was the superior producer, they invested in the technology/machines, the “linkers” (skilled craftspeople) for fully fashion garments, the yarn, they were vastly easier and friendly to work with, and gave me landed prices.Not to mention, the US knitwear industry was virtually extinct.Things have changed since July 2004 when I opened my doors and “the party” is over in China.Today, current economic, political, cultural and environmental forces are illuminating the unsustainability of our outsourced production and more importantly our consumption habits. -New labor laws (which I welcome) that increase the cost of labor, lead times and minimums. At the same, time US retailers are looking for lower prices, shorter lead times and are placing smaller orders.-Chinese government is discouraging labor intensive manufacturing.-Weak US dollar-Inflation-Rising fuel and food costs-Dwindling/aging worker populationI am optimistic that this perfect storm of events will force US producers and consumers to move into more sustainable business models, lifestyles and make us question our consumption habits.