Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States have experienced a significant boost, reaching US $ 2.98 billion in the first four months of 2025, a 29.33% year-on-year increase, according to data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). This rise positions Bangladesh as a notable beneficiary amid ongoing shifts in the global apparel trade landscape.
Industry experts and exporters attribute this growth to ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, prompting American buyers to diversify their sourcing away from Chinese products. During the January-April period, total US apparel imports grew by approximately 11%, but China’s exports to the US stagnated with a marginal increase of 0.66%. In contrast, Vietnam recorded a 16.06% rise, India 20.30%, and Pakistan 19.57%.
April alone saw a dramatic shift, with China’s apparel exports to the US declining by 13%. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s exports surged nearly 38%, with Cambodia leading monthly growth at 39%. Other notable increases included Pakistan and Sri Lanka (26%), India (10%), Vietnam (2%), and Indonesia (3%).
Trade analysts believe that the decline in Chinese exports is largely due to the US government’s imposition of a 125% tariff on Chinese goods in April, which has impacted China’s market share. Dr. Mostafa Abid Khan, a renowned international trade expert and former member of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, noted that this tariff shift has benefited countries like Bangladesh.
Fazlul Hoque, former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), emphasised that the full impact of April’s tariffs will become clearer once May’s export data is available.
Industry representatives also pointed out that US buyers, wary of political influences, have been cautious about increasing business with China since Donald Trump’s rise to political prominence. Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, managing director of Fatullah Fashions Ltd, noted that this trend has benefited Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Despite the positive growth in volume, Bangladesh recorded a 28.30% increase in shipped pieces, ranking second after India and Pakistan, price competitiveness remains a concern. Bangladesh’s unit price grew by just 0.80%, while Vietnam saw a more substantial increase of 3.58%. Conversely, Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani exporters faced declining prices, indicating pressures on profit margins.
Trade data for the first four months of 2025 shows that Vietnam led US apparel imports with US $ 5.09 billion, followed by China at US $ 4.35 billion and Bangladesh at US $ 2.98 billion. Overall, the US imported US $ 26 billion worth of apparel during this period, with other key exporters including Indonesia, India, Mexico, Honduras, Cambodia, Pakistan, and South Korea.
Looking ahead, the future remains uncertain as the US prepares to lift a temporary three-month suspension on new tariffs on Bangladesh. The moratorium is set to expire this month, raising concerns among Bangladeshi exporters and US importers about potential policy changes. Experts stress the importance of initiating formal trade negotiations promptly.
As Bangladesh continues to gain ground in the US apparel sector, industry stakeholders remain watchful of evolving trade policies and the need to enhance value addition and pricing strategies for sustained growth.
