This is a most ironic broadcast to be making on our 4th of July holiday! The whole concept of "Made in _____" was put to rest years ago by the discount chain retailers.
I remember that when I joined Sue at AAPN in Jan 1995, she had a box of large lapel pins that said TAKE OFF YOUR FOREIGN CLOTHES. That was the bias in those days, then NAFTA hit and AAPN went from 350 Made in USA members to 150 in just two years. Today, virtually all supply chains cross borders.
As for apparel manufacturing returning to the US, good luck finding sewing operators. If you study history, the first 'manufacturing' any emerging country adapted to was sewing. Then the country would move on to more complex manufacturing. Thus the term, "chasing the low cost needle". You chased it because it kept moving.
Good article:
FN: JUL 3, 2019
When It Comes to ‘Made in USA,’ Does American Pride Stop at the Wallet?
For many American consumers, there is a certain pride associated with buying products that are made in the United States.
According to recent data gathered by global market research firm YouGov, 76% of American adults agree that, if given the choice, they would tend to buy “Made in America” products. Narrowing down the demographics, 89% of adults aged 65 and up as well as 84% of those between the ages of 50 and 64 preferred to purchase domestically made items. Among those from 18 to 34 years old, about 59% feel the same.
But even though a Reuters/Ipsos poll reports that 70% of shoppers think it’s “very important” or “somewhat important” to go the domestic route, the appeal of American-made goods continues to carry less weight than those very items’ price tags.
“While folks say they want ‘Made in America’ products, in many cases they are not willing to spend the extra money for them,” said Matt Powell, senior industry advisor of sports at The NPD Group. Read More