Textile and apparel imports by the US been rising of late. The country is showing signs of improvement and higher consumer spending. Compared with 2012, when textile and apparel imports edged up just 0.7 per cent, the volume of imports into the US climbed 4.6 per cent last year.

China dominates with highest market share of imports. Its share grew last year to 48 per cent of the total imports, up from 47.4 per cent the year earlier. China also remains the largest apparel supplier to the US, with its shipments rising 4.9 per cent in 2013.

Vietnam is the second largest apparel supplier to the US. Vietnam has been gaining as both producers and buyers diversify their supply chains by moving some manufacturing from China. The country is also being buoyed by the prospect of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade treaty with countries like Canada and the US. Coming third is Bangladesh.

Six other top 10 apparel suppliers to the US have also gained including: Indonesia, Cambodia, Mexico, India, El Salvador and Pakistan. India has benefited from orders diverted from China and Bangladesh as well as the recovering American economy.