Rouzer, Espaillat and Textile Caucus Members Call for Safeguards in Protecting the U.S. Textile Industry

Rouzer, Espaillat and Textile Caucus Members Call for Safeguards in Protecting the U.S. Textile Industry

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional Textile Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC-07) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), joined by fourteen Members of Congress, sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security urging stronger customs enforcement measures to protect the American textile industry from fraudulent trade practices and illegal imports.

The United States is the second largest global exporter of textile products and a leading exporter of fiber and apparel, contributing more than $65 billion annually to our economy. The industry is also a significant source of federal revenue in the form of duties and tariffs. In Fiscal Year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported collecting $13.2 billion in textile-related duties, accounting for approximately 17 percent of all duties collected.

Foreign textile producers, particularly in China and Vietnam, are increasingly evading U.S. customs laws and tariff obligations by routing textile products through countries which maintain free trade agreements with the United States. These practices distort fair competition, place American manufacturers at a disadvantage, weaken domestic industry, and deprive the federal government of revenue lawfully owed under U.S. trade laws.

"North Carolina has remained a top textile manufacturer even with foreign actors and organized crime undermining our great industry when they illegally circumvent our customs process. It's time for that to end. With Secretary Mullin's leadership, enforcement will be strengthened to protect North Carolina's textile industry by punishing and blacklisting bad actors," said Congressman David Rouzer.

"As a co-chair of the Textile Caucus, we are calling on DHS Secretary Mullin to develop a comprehensive program to safeguard the interests of American textile industry workers from unscrupulous practices that threaten billions of dollars from American taxpayers," said Rep. Espaillat. "Our priority is ensuring a strong domestic supply and holding bad actors accountable for practices that violate our trade laws and break the rules."

To combat ongoing efforts to evade U.S. trade laws, the letter urges Secretary Mullin to strengthen enforcement of existing trade laws, improve detection of customs fraud, and take stronger action against repeat customs fraud offenders. Protecting the textile industry also supports domestic cotton growers, textile manufacturers, and the broader agricultural economy.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC-07) has served as co-chair of the Congressional Textile Caucus since 2025. He also has served on the House Committee on Agriculture since coming to Congress in 2015.