For the first quarter the United States’ apparel imports surged 6.06 per cent as compared to the same period of the prior year. Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the US grew 16.12 per cent. Vietnam’s exports grew 13.55 per cent. In terms of volume, Vietnam’s apparel exports to the US jumped 12.75 per cent while Bangladesh’s escalated by 11.85 per cent.

Among the top 10 apparel exporting destinations, Bangladesh registered the highest percentage-wise growth though in value-wise earning from exports, the country stood at third rank in the tally. Indonesia’s apparel exports to the US jumped 5.76 per cent. Indonesia which had continuously been falling for months experienced growth this time. India’s jumped 12.07 per cent. India compressed the gap with Indonesia and India is expected to bridge this gap in the next two months. China’s export volume to the US jumped 0.85 per cent while the export value plunged 0.70 per cent. China slashed its price margins to tap more orders from the US and sustain for a longer term amid the ongoing trade war scenario.

In 2018 US textile and clothing imports rose in value terms to their second highest level on record and in volume terms to a record high.