Reshaping U.S. Imports: An Analysis of How Shifting Indicators Impact International Manufacturing Location Decisions & the Apparel Industry

United States imports have grown in recent years due to various geographic sourcing strategies. Each company that chooses to participate in manufacturing whether in-house, offshore, or nearshore has contributed to the economic growth of the US. In recent years, internal and external factors have affected the results of international trade. Indicators have been identified, but they are historically indicators that have not adapted due to the frequent changes in supply chains. The measurement of indicators allows for identification of the most influential indicators that impact the trends within U.S. imports. Significant indicators are dependent on the country and its available resources, which this study highlights. The twenty countries analyzed in this study have a significant relationship will all measured indicators, affecting the forecasted U.S. imports rank for the NAICS 315 – Apparel & Accessories.