US apparel and textile imports from China surged 22.2 per cent in February compared to a year earlier. Overall, industry imports increased 12.4 per cent in February, with textile shipments rising 15 per cent year over year, and apparel imports up 9.2 per cent. For the year to February, apparel and textile imports rose 7.1 per cent, with apparel up 4.4 per cent and textiles ahead 9.3 per cent.

The overall US trade deficit in goods and services increased 1.6 per cent in February. The US and China have been volleying huge tariff threats at each other. But China is still by far the top supplier of apparel and textiles to the US.

Among the other top suppliers of apparel and textiles to the US, Cambodia posted a gain of 22.4 per cent. South Korea saw exports to the US increase 17.5 per cent. Among the other top Asian suppliers, Vietnam’s exports rose 5.7 per cent, Bangladesh’s shipments were up 5.1 per cent, Pakistan’s increased 4.1 per cent and Indonesia’s gained 1.7 per cent.

However, India’s shipments fell 0.8 per cent. India happens to be the second largest supplier for the category. Mexico’s shipments increased 4.7 per cent in February while Canada’s shipments rose 4.6 per cent.