The United States, as one of the world’s largest consumer markets for textile and apparel products, recorded a significant downward trend throughout the first half of 2026. Based on the latest international trade data released by the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) under the US Department of Commerce, total US textile and apparel imports contracted by 7.12 percent, falling to 47.670 billion dollars from 51.326 billion dollars in the same period last year. This figure reflects clear pressure on the purchasing power of US buyers and shifting consumption patterns amidst a challenging global economic landscape.
The apparel sector, which remains the dominant product category, softened by 7.71 percent to 35.087 billion dollars. Meanwhile, the non-apparel category was also impacted, falling by 5.43 percent to 12.583 billion dollars. Amidst the overall downward trend, the landscape of primary supplier countries has undergone interesting shifts. Vietnam firmly maintained its position as the top supplier to the US market, accounting for 18.62 percent of the total value of textile and garment imports, while China remained the second-largest supplier with a 14.80 percent market share.
A unique phenomenon is visible in the shifting direction of shipments. Several producer nations experienced impressive export surges to the US market. Apparel shipments from Cambodia jumped by 12.61 percent, Italy rose by 8.07 percent, Indonesia grew by 3.67 percent, and Vietnam saw a slight increase of 1.33 percent. Conversely, China faced a harsh reality with a sharp 37.65 percent plunge in shipments, followed by India, which contracted by 25.19 percent, as well as Bangladesh and Mexico, which also saw declines. This reality confirms that the supply chain diversification strategy adopted by US buyers to mitigate geopolitical risks is beginning to yield tangible results for alternative nations.
A similar trend was observed in the non-apparel segment. Vietnam, Italy, and Cambodia successfully recorded significant export growth to the United States. Overall, man-made fiber products dominated the import market with a value of 24.141 billion dollars, driven by cost advantages, year-round availability, and strong demand for performance wear. Cotton-based products followed in second place, totaling 20.111 billion dollars.
Looking at the historical trajectory of recent years, these fluctuations are not entirely new to the global textile industry. After experiencing a sharp contraction in 2023, the market attempted to rebound and stabilize. However, conditions in the first semester of 2026 have once again placed industry players in the face of new challenges. With the ongoing shift in sourcing preferences toward countries that offer better flexibility and risk mitigation, the balance of power within the global textile and apparel industry is expected to continue undergoing dynamic transformations in the near future.
