And because of that, U.S. imports are on the rise.

At least imports of the source fiber for the manufacture of diapers, tampons and bandages, the need for which is being driven by the changes in the Chinese culture. According to the Wall Street Journal, the need for such items by our trading partner has resulted in at least one shuttered Virginia-based, International Paper plant reopening and starting to process again. It’s a result of China’s growing middle class, which is now larger than the entire population of this country, thanks to its robust economy.

The much-sought after personal hygiene products use the fluff pulp, which is made from the fiber of a particular pine tree that grows quickly and in abundance in the south. And exporters predict this is only the beginning, as more and more Chinese move out of poverty into the middle class. China’s leaders are also working to shift the economic dependency away from huge construction projects to manufacturing.

File this under irony.