• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Viji Rangaswami"
  ],
  "type": "other",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "South America"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Economy",
    "Trade"
  ]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE

REQUIRED IMAGE

Other

A Stitch in Time: Helping Vulnerable Countries Meet the Challenges of Apparel Quota Elimination

In the wake of the WTO's elimination of apparel export quotas, analysts predict that China and a handful of other efficient, low-cost producers will dominate the global market within a few years, shutting smaller, less industrialized countries out of an industry that created millions of jobs and often was the first step in the process of industrialization.

Link Copied
By Viji Rangaswami
Published on Sep 27, 2005

On January 1, 2005, the United States and other members of the WTO eliminated all quotas limiting the amount of textiles and apparel developing countries can send abroad. Analysts predict that China and a handful of other efficient, low-cost producers will dominate the global market within a few years, shutting smaller, less industrialized countries out of an industry that created millions of jobs and often was the first step in the process of industrialization. 

In this new Policy Outlook, Carnegie associate Viji Rangaswami gives detailed prescriptions in four areas: 1) enhanced trade preferences for vulnerable countries; 2) targeted technical assistance to help affected countries improve competitiveness (for example, through infrastructure improvement and customs facilitation); 3) assistance to help countries differentiate their exports in the global marketplace; and 4) assistance to help affected countries manage inevitable dislocations.

Click on the link above for the full text of the Carnegie publication.

About the Author
Viji Rangaswami
is an associate in the Trade, Equity, and Development Project at the Carnegie Endowment.

About the Author

Viji Rangaswami

Former Associate

    Recent Work

  • Article
    Farm Policies Block Progress for the Poor

      Viji Rangaswami, Lionel Johnson

  • Other
    Nickel and Diming the Poor: U.S. Implementation of the LDC Initiative

      Viji Rangaswami

Viji Rangaswami
Former Associate
Viji Rangaswami
EconomyTradeNorth AmericaUnited StatesSouth America

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • China Financial Markets
    Commentary
    China Financial Markets
    A China Financial Markets Post

    Description of the post.

      Michael Pettis

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Axis of Resistance or Suicide?

    As Iran defends its interests in the region and its regime’s survival, it may push Hezbollah into the abyss.

      Michael Young

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    How Far Can Russian Arms Help Iran?

    Arms supplies from Russia to Iran will not only continue, but could grow significantly if Russia gets the opportunity.

      Nikita Smagin

  • Front of a damaged apartment building
    Commentary
    Emissary
    Is a Conflict-Ending Solution Even Possible in Ukraine?

    On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Carnegie experts discuss the war’s impacts and what might come next.

      • +1

      Eric Ciaramella, Aaron David Miller, Alexandra Prokopenko, …

  • People in voting booths
    Commentary
    Emissary
    Indian Americans Still Lean Left. Just Not as Reliably.

    New data from the 2026 Indian American Attitudes Survey show that Democratic support has not fully rebounded from 2020.

      • +1

      Sumitra Badrinathan, Devesh Kapur, Andy Robaina, …

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600Fax: 202 483 1840
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.