Home breadcru News breadcru Import/Exports breadcru US' textiles & apparel imports growth slows to $42.9 bn in Jan-May

US' textiles & apparel imports growth slows to $42.9 bn in Jan-May

17 Jul '25
3 min read
US' textiles & apparel imports growth slows to $42.9 bn in Jan-May
Pic: Shutterstock

Insights

  • US textile and apparel imports rose by 5.20 per cent to $42.97 billion in January–May 2025, driven by a 7.08 per cent increase in apparel imports.
  • Growth slowed from earlier months, partly due to a 10 per cent base tariff introduced in April.
  • China remained the top supplier, though its share dipped.
  • Imports from India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam posted strong gains.
The United States’ textile and apparel imports increased by 5.20 per cent, totalling $42.971 billion during January–May 2025, compared to $40.847 billion in the same period of 2024. However, the growth rate in inbound trade slowed compared to the 8.78 per cent rise recorded in January–April 2025. The US imposed a 10 per cent base tariff from April 2025, following a delay in the implementation of reciprocal tariffs announced for various trading partners.

China remained the largest supplier to the US, with a 22.93 per cent market share, followed by Vietnam at 15.77 per cent. China’s share had stood at 23.61 per cent during January–April 2025.

During January–May 2025, apparel imports—which constitute the majority of the US’ textile imports—increased by 7.08 per cent to $31.704 billion, up from $29.607 billion in the same period of 2024. Non-apparel imports also rose by 0.23 per cent, reaching $11.266 billion, according to the US Department of Commerce’s Major Shippers Report.

US apparel imports from India surged by 16.96 per cent, while imports from Bangladesh rose by 21.61 per cent. Apparel imports from China increased by 10.07 per cent; from Vietnam by 16.35 per cent; Jordan by 11.52 per cent; Indonesia by 13.56 per cent; Cambodia by 17.66 per cent; Mexico by 3.18 per cent; Pakistan by 21.60 per cent; and Honduras by 12.80 per cent—among the top 10 suppliers. Italy dropped out of the list of the top 10 apparel suppliers to the US, as imports from the country declined in the first five months of 2025.

In the non-apparel sector, imports rose from India by 9.44 per cent; Pakistan by 5.74 per cent; Vietnam by 22.84 per cent; Cambodia by 19.05 per cent; and Indonesia by 8.65 per cent. Meanwhile, shipments declined from China by 10.09 per cent; Turkiye by 7.91 per cent; Mexico by 3.45 per cent; South Korea by 1.10 per cent; and Italy by 3.14 per cent.

During the period under review, total US textile and apparel imports stood at $42.971 billion. Man-made fibre products accounted for the largest share, totalling $21.675 billion, followed by cotton products at $18.328 billion, wool products at $1,267.367 million, and silk and vegetable fibre products at $1,699.908 million.

In 2024, US textile and apparel imports experienced minimal growth of 2.66 per cent, reaching $107.723 billion. Apparel imports increased by 1.71 per cent to $79.257 billion, while non-apparel imports rose by 5.42 per cent to $28.465 billion.

In 2023, the US imported textiles and apparel worth $104.959 billion, marking a 20.51 per cent decline. In 2022, imports rose to $132.201 billion, up from $113.938 billion in 2021, following a sharp drop in 2020, when imports fell to $89.596 billion compared to $111.033 billion in 2019.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)

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