They made America's clothing. Now they are getting punished for it.

The article discusses the challenges faced by apparel manufacturing hubs like Cambodia and Sri Lanka, which are heavily dependent on the United States as an export market. As the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global supply chains, these countries have seen a significant drop in orders from American retailers, leading to factory closures and job losses for millions of workers. The article highlights the vulnerability of these economies, which have become increasingly reliant on the US market over the years. With the sudden decline in demand, the article argues that these countries are now being "punished" for producing clothing for American consumers. The article emphasizes the need for diversification of export markets and the importance of building more resilient supply chains to mitigate the impact of such global shocks. It also touches on the broader social and economic implications of these job losses, particularly for the millions of workers who depend on the apparel industry for their livelihoods.