WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, applauded the launch of the House Berry Amendment Caucus today.

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas

“On behalf of the U.S textile industry, NCTO sincerely thanks Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) for their leadership in co-chairing the new bipartisan House Berry Amendment Caucus, aimed at strengthening national security and the U.S. defense industrial supply chain through the federal procurement of American-made mission critical clothing, textiles and gear.

“NCTO strongly supports this new caucus to promote and expand the Berry Amendment, a law requiring the Department of War (DOW) to buy textile and clothing products made with virtually 100% U.S. content and labor to support our U.S. warm industrial base. 

“The U.S. textile industry provides $1.8 billion of high-tech and functional components for vital uniforms and equipment for our armed forces each year. The Department of War estimates that over 8,000 different textile items are purchased for use by the U.S. military—and over 30,000 line items when individual sizes are considered.

“It is vital to America’s national security that the U.S. military maintain the ability to source high-quality, innovative textile materials, apparel, and personal equipment from a vibrant U.S. textile industrial base and key to this goal is defending and strengthening the Berry Amendment.

“We look forward to working with the new caucus’s leadership and our industry partners to focus congressional efforts on preserving the Berry Amendment and expanding opportunities for U.S. textile manufacturers, safeguarding domestic supply chains, and ensuring our troops continue to receive innovative, high-quality American-made products.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

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CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org| P: 202.281.9305

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas sent a letter to House leaders urging them to oppose and block the Secure Revenue Clearance Channel Act, a bill that would essentially reopen a dangerous trade loophole and ultimately harm U.S. textile manufacturers.

See the full letter here.

“Last year through bipartisan action, Congress voted overwhelmingly to end de minimis after identifying the substantial harms it perpetrated,” Glas states in the letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (D-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). “The House China Select Committee determined in 2023 that Chinese e-commerce platforms were flooding the U.S. with billions of dollars’ worth of goods but had paid $0 in import duties, while American companies comparatively spent millions. Additionally, these platforms were found lacking in due diligence mechanisms to verify that products were not tainted by forced labor in China.”

Last year, Congress passed bipartisan legislation codifying the end of de minimis, effective July 2027. The Trump administration also took action to close de minimis to all commercial shipments globally through executive order, which took effect at the end of August 2025.

“As a result, the volume of small package deliveries has dramatically decreased, duty collections are up, and American consumers and workers are better off,” the letter states.

“Despite clear action from Congress and the administration on the negative impact of expresss shipment programs for ‘small value’ packages at U.S. ports, some still want to provide duty relief to foreign importers while requiring less information on packages valued at up to $600 — making enforcement impossible and rewarding offshore producers,” the letter continues. “De minimis was labeled ‘China’s backdoor to the U.S.,’ facilitated by an environment where goods were cleared on manifest, packages were not properly inspected or levied duties, and the risk posed was extremely high. The Secure Revenue Clearance Channel Act would recreate many of these same problems, with China being the biggest winner.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org| P: 202.281.9305

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), which represents the full U.S. textile supply chain from fiber and yarn to fabrics and finished sewn products, welcomed today’s announcement of a reciprocal trade agreement between the United States and Guatemala.

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas:

“The reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala marks an important step toward strengthening the U.S. textile supply chain. We commend the administration for taking decisive action to remove reciprocal tariffs and provide preferential treatment to qualifying textile and apparel products from Guatemala under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

“NCTO and the broader U.S. textile industry are grateful to President Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, and the administration for concluding this agreement with Guatemala, following on the heels of the recently announced agreement with El Salvador.

“Guatemala is a key partner in the CAFTA-DR region, with nearly $2 billion in two-way textile and apparel trade. Together, the region operates as an integrated co-production platform that is essential to the U.S. textile supply chain. In 2024, this production network generated $11.3 billion in two-way trade and supported more than 470,000 American jobs in the domestic textile industry alone.

“The U.S.–Western Hemisphere textile and apparel supply chain remains a critical strategic alternative to China and other Asian producers. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Trump administration to further solidify this vital regional partnership and appreciate this important announcement.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

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CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org| P: 202.281.9305

January 29, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, lauded the administration’s reciprocal trade agreement with El Salvador announced today.

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas:

“NCTO and our industry greatly appreciate the administration’s actions on qualified textile and apparel goods for El Salvador under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). These steps will help fortify a critical export market for the U.S. textile industry and our workforce.

“We sincerely thank President Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, and the administration for finalizing this important reciprocal trade agreement. El Salvador is part of the CAFTA-DR region that forms a vital co-production chain with the American textile supply chain. This production chain facilitated $11.3 billion in two-way trade in 2024 and supported more than 470,000 U.S. workers in the domestic textile sector alone.   

“Today’s action will reinforce the strength of the U.S. textile industry. The U.S.–Western Hemisphere supply chain is a strategic bulwark against China and other Asian competitors. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Trump administration to further fortify this vital region and strongly appreciate this important announcement.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

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CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org| P: 202.281.9305

November 13, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, applauded the administration’s announced plans for the U.S. textile industry and qualified textile and apparel goods from Guatemala and El Salvador under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas:

“NCTO and our industry greatly appreciate the administration’s actions on qualified textile and apparel goods for Guatemala and El Salvador—steps that will help bolster the U.S. textile industry’s vital supply chain in the Western Hemisphere.  This is a critical export market for the U.S. textile industry and our workforce.

“We want to thank President Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, and the administration for this important decision. The CAFTA-DR region forms a vital co-production chain with the American textile supply chain, facilitating $11.3 billion in two-way trade in 2024 and supporting more than 470,000 U.S. workers in the domestic textile sector alone.   

“We also sincerely thank Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-09), Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC-07), and many members of the House Textile Caucus for their leadership and efforts in supporting the textile and apparel co-production chain between the U.S. and CAFTA-DR countries.

“These actions will help preserve significant export markets for domestic textile producers in the Western Hemisphere and enhance the vitality of the U.S. industry. The U.S. -Western Hemisphere supply chains stand as a bulwark to China and other Asian countries. We look forward to working with the Trump administration to further strengthen this vital region and express our strongest appreciation for this important announcement.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org| P: 202.281.9305

September 11, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), spanning the entire spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber to finished sewn products, issued a statement today commending the House of Representatives for passing the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains provisions that could expand military procurement of American-made textiles.

The House NDAA bill, which sets policy and funding priorities for the U.S. military, includes a key provision that would eliminate a statutory exemption under the Berry Amendment that acts as a loophole allowing the U.S. military to buy textiles abroad instead of from American textile manufacturers as long as the purchase is at or below a small purchase threshold of $150,000. The loophole has undercut the Berry Amendment, which requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to purchase 100% U.S.-made textiles and clothing.

The NDAA also incorporates language from the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, championed by NCTO and a broad coalition, which directs the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations within two years that prohibit any member of the Armed forces from wearing optional combat boots unless they are made in the United States with American-made components, with limited exceptions. The measure closes another gap that has allowed active-duty troops to be supplied with foreign-made boots, undermining U.S. footwear manufacturers.

“We commend the House for passing the FY 2026 NDAA with these critical provisions that bolster American manufacturing, strengthen economic competitiveness, and ensure our Armed Forces are equipped with the best U.S.-made uniforms and gear,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas. “Our industry produces more than 8,000 products annually for the U.S. military—including over $1.8 billion in uniforms, footwear, and personal equipment—and plays a vital role in our national defense.

“We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC), who led efforts to close the Berry Amendment loophole and co-sponsored the amendment to the NDAA,” she said.

“These provisions will expand opportunities for U.S. textile manufacturers, safeguard domestic supply chains, and ensure our troops continue to receive innovative, high-quality American-made products,” Glas noted.

“We urge the Senate to include these measures in its version of the legislation and look forward to working with both chambers to ensure the provisions are included in the final conference report.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28.0 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

Vice President, Communications

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org |  202.281.9305

July 30, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber, yarn and fabrics to finished sewn products, issued the following statement from President and CEO Kim Glas today, regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending de minimis treatment for all commerce shipments globally, effective August 29.

Statement from President and CEO Kim Glas

“On behalf of the U.S. textile industry, we commend President Trump for using his executive authority to close the de minimis loophole for all global commercial shipments, effective August 29.

“For eight years, NCTO has led critical efforts to close the de minimis backdoor pipeline for cheap, subsidized, and often illegal, toxic and unethical imports—half of which are estimated to be textiles and apparel. Every day, 4 million de minimis packages flood into the U.S., undermining American manufacturing, evading inspection, and allowing forced labor-made goods from Xinjiang, China as well as illicit fentanyl to reach consumers unchecked.

“The de minimis mechanism has functioned as a black box for low-cost, subsidized, and unethical Chinese imports and undermined the competitiveness of the U.S. textile industry—a key contributor to the workforce and the U.S. economy.

“In the face of the rising flood of de minimis shipments, NCTO doubled-down on advocating for comprehensive de minimis reform and proudly joined the Coalition to Close the De Minimis Loophole, representing a wide range of American voices committed to ending the de minimis crisis, including manufacturers, business associations, labor unions, law enforcement, families of fentanyl victim groups, drug prevention organizations, consumer groups, and others.

“Today marks a significant milestone for all our efforts to repeal this harmful provision in U.S. trade law. We are grateful to President Trump for recognizing the severe impact of this loophole and validating that de minimis has caused widespread harm across businesses and communities, in the action he is taking today to repeal de minimis immediately.

“We thank the president and his administration for listening, acting, and standing with American manufacturers and workers. Today’s executive order is a game changer. It restores fairness for U.S. manufacturers, closes a major gateway for illegal and toxic goods, and lays the groundwork for reinvestment and job creation here at home.

“Coupled with the bipartisan legislation to codify de minimis repeal by July 2027, this action when implemented will slam the door shut on one of the most damaging trade loopholes in U.S. history.”

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NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28.0 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

Vice President, Communications

National Council of Textile Organizations

kellis@ncto.org |  202.281.9305

July 16, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), spanning the entire spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber to finished sewn products, issued a statement today commending the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) for passing the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains a provision that could boost domestic textile industry sales to the U.S. military.

The House NDAA bill, which authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military, includes a provision that would eliminate a statutory exemption under the Berry Amendment that acts as a loophole allowing the U.S. military to buy textiles abroad instead of from American textile manufacturers as long as the purchase is at or below a small purchase threshold of $150,000.

The NDAA also includes language from the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, a bill that NCTO has pushed for as part of a broader coalition. The provision requires the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations within two years that prohibit any member of the Armed Forces from wearing optional combat boots as part of a required uniform unless those boots are made in the United States with American-made components, with a few exceptions.

“We applaud the HASC for passing the FY 2026 NDAA and including provisions that would help boost domestic manufacturing, strengthen American economic competitiveness, and meet the mission-critical needs of our Armed Forces,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas.

“We are sincerely appreciative of the leadership of Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC), who led efforts to close the Berry Amendment loophole and co-sponsored the amendment to the NDAA.
“The Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to purchase 100% U.S.-made textiles and clothing. But the small-purchase exemption in the statute has led to U.S. military purchases of foreign-made textile articles largely at the expense of American textile manufacturers who have potentially lost several million dollars per year in U.S. government sales.

“Eliminating this exemption will lead to the military procurement of more American-made military textile products as well as oversight of Berry Amendment compliance.
“Lastly, we also applaud the inclusion of the BOOTS Act in the NDAA, which will support domestic military footwear production.

“This is a win for the American textile and apparel industry, a key strategic contributor to our national defense that supplies over 8,000 products a year to our men and women in uniform. The industry provides high-tech, functional components for the U.S. government, including more than $1.8 billion worth of vital uniforms and equipment for our armed forces annually.

“It is vital to America’s national security that the U.S. military maintain the ability to source high-quality, innovative textile materials, apparel, and personal equipment from a vibrant American textile industrial base. “After passage of the FY 2026 NDAA by the full House, we look forward to working with the Senate and House to ensure this provision is included in the final NDAA conference report.”
We look forward to working with the Senate and House to ensure this provision is included in the final NDAA conference report.”

NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 471,046 in 2024.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $63.9 billion in 2024.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28.0 billion in 2024.
• Capital expenditures for textiles and apparel production totaled $2.98 billion in 2022, the last year for which data is available.

DOWNLOAD RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kristi Ellis
Vice President, Communications
National Council of Textile Organizations
kellis@ncto.org | 202.281.9305