The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) concluded its annual meeting from April 14 to 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C., electing Amy Bircher Bruyn, CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles, as Chair for the 2026 fiscal year, along with Jay Todd as Vice Chair. While an organizational routine, this leadership change carries weight amid global supply chain realignment and growing U.S. emphasis on domestic manufacturing. The new officers’ expertise will likely shape NCTO’s advocacy on trade, technology, and sustainability.
Context of the Election
NCTO represents the full U.S. textile supply chain, from fiber to finished sewn products. The election occurred at a time when post-election trade policies were beginning to crystallize. Bruyn, whose company specializes in technical and performance fabrics, brings a strong R&D orientation. Todd also has deep industry roots. Their election suggests the association may prioritize technological upgrading and supply chain resilience over purely protectionist trade measures.
This leadership transition comes as the global textile sector faces headwinds: ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, volatility in Southeast Asian production, and increasing demands from brands for sustainable sourcing. How the new NCTO leadership navigates these issues will influence the industry’s lobbying agenda in Washington.
Industry Implications
For upstream fiber producers, midstream fabric mills, and downstream apparel brands, the leadership change signals a potential shift in policy focus. Bruyn’s background in high-performance textiles indicates stronger advocacy for advanced manufacturing and R&D incentives, benefiting U.S. specialty fabric makers.
For Chinese textile exporters targeting the U.S. market, the new NCTO stance merits close watching. If the association continues pushing for “Made in USA” and nearshoring, some orders may shift from Asia to Mexico or Central America. However, the U.S. still lacks self-sufficiency in basic textile production (e.g., commodity cotton yarns and polyester filaments), leaving room for cross-border trade in differentiated, mid-to-high-end products.
Additionally, NCTO’s position on trade agreements like USMCA and potential tariff policies will directly affect North American textile flows. The new chair may adopt a more pragmatic negotiating style rather than blanket trade barriers.
Practical Recommendations
For Sourcing Managers - Monitor NCTO’s statements on sustainable textiles and circular economy, as they could influence supplier certification standards. - Evaluate U.S.-based functional fabric suppliers’ R&D capabilities; consider early-stage joint development projects if the association promotes technical collaboration. - Track NCTO’s policy recommendations on tariff exclusions and rules of origin to adjust procurement contract terms accordingly.
For Export Enterprises - For the U.S. market, consider establishing small-scale warehousing or showrooms in the U.S. to demonstrate local service capability and mitigate supply chain scrutiny. - Stay informed about NCTO’s interactions with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC); prepare compliance documentation in advance for potential anti-dumping or safeguard investigations. - Use the leadership transition as a window to engage with new NCTO members through industry associations, seeking clarity on their attitudes toward Asian suppliers.
Overall, this election represents a fine-tuning of forces within the U.S. textile industry. It will not abruptly change trade patterns, but it reinforces the long-term trend toward technology-driven, diversified supply chains. Companies should seize this moment to reassess their North American strategies.