Textiles and clothing in global economic development: East Asia's dynamic role

Abstract

The changing patterns and international trade in fibres, textiles and clothing provide a classic case study of the dynamics of our interdependent world economy. Nowhere has that pattern changed more dramatically than in East Asia during the past few decades. For centuries prior to that, Asia supplied the textile factories of Europe with natural fibres, including silk from East Asia along the so-called Silk Road. Today, East Asia exports virtually no natural fibres and instead has become the most important region in the world both as an importer of raw cotton and wool and as an exporter of manufactured textile products and clothing.