What has happened to American textile manufacturing since 1979?

Since 1979, American textile manufacturing has experienced a dramatic decline. At its peak, 70% of clothing worn by Americans was made domestically, but today that figure has plummeted to less than 2%. Mike Rowe describes this industry as being on the leading edge of the manufacturing exodus that Ross Perot once warned about. This steep drop represents a broader trend that has impacted virtually all manufacturing sectors in the United States. The textile industry serves as a powerful example of how American manufacturing capabilities have been hollowed out over the past four decades, fundamentally changing the economic landscape.