#1: Why did denim production shift from the United States to Asia? Was lower labor cost the primary driver, or were other structural factors equally or more important? Explain your reasoning.
#2: The video argues that U.S. denim mills are not competing against Pakistani fabric mills, but against “Pakistan’s entire vertically integrated apparel supply chain.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Should the United States rebuild a vertically integrated apparel supply chain, or should it focus on capital-intensive textile manufacturing while continuing to outsource labor-intensive apparel production? What are the benefits and challenges of each approach? Explain your thoughts.
#3: If you were the sourcing manager for Levi’s or American Eagle, under what circumstances would you choose to source denim apparel from the U.S. instead of Pakistan or Mexico? You may consider factors such as cost, lead time, product quality, sustainability, trade policy, and consumer demand.
#4: Would higher U.S. tariffs on imported apparel alone be enough to bring apparel manufacturing back to the United States? Use evidence from the video to support your argument.
Additional reading:
- Denim Imports Show Glimmer of Promise Amid Overall Apparel Slump (June 2026, Sourcing Journal)
- How Levi’s jeans became an essential piece of American culture (April 2026, USA Today)
FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing 