The US administration’s decision to unilaterally impose sweeping tariff increases on imported goods represents a significant challenge to the existing global trading system, according to the Zurich-headquartered International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF).

“These substantial tariff hikes will have a major impact on textile imports into the USA, and particularly apparel,” says ITMF president KV Srinivasan. “Trade has for a long time been structured around multilateral (WTO), regional and bilateral (FTA) agreements.”

Currently, approximately 95% of apparel sold into the USA is imported, with the majority sourced from China (about 30%), Vietnam (13%), India (8%), Bangladesh (6%) and Indonesia (5.5%).

To put this into perspective, these countries, which previously faced tariffs of 11-12%, will now see rates surge to 38-65%. In response, US apparel importers are seeking alternative sourcing options in countries with lower tariffs.

Many of these alternatives, however, have higher production costs and often lack the required product ranges or production capacities.

Reshoring apparel manufacturing to the USA would also pose significant challenges. Labour costs are substantially higher and many essential textiles for apparel production would still need to be imported – now at increased costs. Additionally, the USA faces a shortage of skilled workers in the apparel sector. Whether through higher tariffs on imports or costly domestic production, the outcome will be increased apparel prices, ultimately contributing to higher inflation.

“The trade policy being pursued by the US administration will disrupt textile and apparel supply chains, increasing uncertainty and driving up prices,” Srinivasan said. “Rather than implementing unilateral tariff hikes across all product categories, it would be far more beneficial for the global textile and apparel industry if governments engaged in negotiations and collaborative policymaking.”

www.itmf.org