Overview
Hard-surface floor coverings account for approximately 36% and 29% of floor covering imports and exports, respectively. In the export arena, hard-surface products increased from 23% of floor coverings exports in 1993 to 29% in 2003. That gain can be attributed to innovations in design technology as well as falling demand for exported carpets and rugs.
Rising Trade Deficit for Hard-Surface Floor Coverings
The U.S. trade deficit for hard-surface floor coverings rose by approximately $200 million from 1999 to 2002. Export activity has been slow to recover since being hit hard by the Asian financial crisis during the late 1990s. Imports of hard-surface floor coverings increased throughout most of the period, despite a weakened U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. In 2002, the U.S. trade deficit for hard-surface floor coverings reached $583.0 million.
View Cart
