Pietra Rivoli, renowned author of 'Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy,' recently discussed the evolution of global trade during an interview. Reflecting on the past 20 years since her book's publication, Rivoli highlighted the advantages of global supply chains, such as lower clothing prices and economic growth in emerging markets [15185c0b]. However, she also pointed out the significant dislocation of workers in the U.S., noting that 98.5% of clothing is now imported [15185c0b].
Rivoli emphasized the changing dynamics of trade, particularly in light of the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, which are affecting global supply chains [15185c0b]. She observed that as economies converge, the cost advantages of trade are diminishing, making tariffs politically feasible once again [15185c0b]. Rivoli predicted that U.S. tariffs on China would likely push production to countries like Mexico and Vietnam, although she cautioned that no single country could replace China in global supply chains in the near term [15185c0b].
In her analysis, Rivoli discussed the significant impact of U.S. policy on global supply chains and the critical role of logistics in this evolving landscape [15185c0b]. Reflecting on the lessons learned from her earlier work, she highlighted the power imbalances inherent in trade and expressed optimism about the potential of trade to improve lives if regulated properly [15185c0b]. Rivoli's insights contribute to a broader understanding of the complexities of global trade, particularly as geopolitical tensions reshape economic relationships [15185c0b].