Data shows that in May this year, the total value of Chinese apparel exports to the U.S. dropped to the lowest monthly level in 22 years, highlighting the impact of high U.S. tariffs.
According to foreign media reports, China has long been the largest apparel supplier to the United States, but as U.S.-China trade relations remain tense, China's share in the U.S. apparel market is continuously shrinking.
In April this year, U.S. President Trump significantly increased tariffs on Chinese apparel products to as high as 145%, prompting more and more American retailers to reduce purchases from China and turn to Vietnam, Bangladesh, India and other places to seek alternative supply chains.
Data from the U.S. International Trade Commission show that in May this year, the total value of U.S. apparel imports from China was $556 million (2.364 billion ringgit), a sharp decline from $796 million (3.385 billion ringgit) in April, and has fallen for four consecutive months. This figure also set the lowest single-month record since May 2003.
Professor Sheng Lu (transliterated), from the University of Delaware's Fashion and Apparel Studies, believes the sharp decline in U.S. apparel imports from China this time is by no means a natural market fluctuation.
Although China and the U.S. previously reached a trade agreement in London, Lu pointed out that most mainstream American apparel brands still plan to further reduce their dependence on the Chinese market, and are even considering a complete withdrawal from China.
In addition, third-party auditing agency QIMA pointed out that, based on results from thousands of inspections and audits worldwide, in the second quarter of 2025, U.S. procurement from China had decreased by nearly 25% year-on-year, while procurement from Southeast Asia increased by 29% year-on-year.