In February US apparel imports from China went up by 22.2 per cent. The export boost comes amid consistent volleying between China and the US on imposition of tariff threats at each other.

China is still the top supplier of apparels and textiles to the US despite talk of the country creating a vacuum by exiting the lower end value chain. 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 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.

During January to April 2017 apparel exports from China, Vietnam and Bangladesh constituted around 59 per cent of total apparel imports by the US. However, nine out of 10 top apparel exporting nations of the world experienced negative growth in shipment to the US in 2016.