Behind the clothing labels hanging in global storefronts lies a grim reality within Myanmar’s factories. Since the military seized power in a brutal coup in February 2021, the nation’s garment sector—once a beacon of economic hope—has been transformed into a high-risk environment "woven in fear."
For the first time in economic history, China’s trade surplus has breached the $1 trillion mark within the first eleven months of 2025. This milestone is not merely a numerical triumph for Beijing; it is a profound signal of a structural shift in the global economy that is heightening tensions from Washington to Brussels. The record surplus, which rose 3.6 percent year-on-year, uncovers a complex narrative of a nation that has mastered the art of high-tech production while simultaneously struggling to convince its own citizens to spend.
What began as a niche underground trade for budget-conscious shoppers has evolved into a national crisis that now threatens the very fabric of Indonesia’s economic and environmental health. Despite a formal ban on the importation of used clothing that has been in place since 2015, the country is currently witnessing a massive surge in the "thrifting" ecosystem. This phenomenon has created a profound dilemma for the government, as it struggles to balance the public's desire for affordable fashion against the devastating reality of a domestic textile industry that is rapidly being hollowed out by illegal competition.
A comprehensive report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified manufacturing as the definitive bedrock of Vietnam’s global supply chain (GSC) ecosystem. The study highlights that the textile and garment sector acts as the primary anchor for this growth, contributing nearly one-third of all manufacturing jobs linked to global production networks within the country.
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