US condemns China’s unfair trade tactics as 28 textile factories close
The United States criticizes China’s inequitable trade practices following the closure of 28 textile manufacturing facilities. The United States has delivered a pointed admonition regarding China’s trade practices in the textiles and apparel sector, highlighting a trend of non-market policies. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has observed an increasing pressure on US producers, as evidenced by the closure of 28 US manufacturing plants in the last 22 months. In 2024, the United States imported apparel valued at USD 79.3 billion, with 21 percent of that total originating from China.
In a recent post on X, the USTR stated, “In honor of National Textile Day, USTR is calling out the unfair trade practices undercutting the American textiles and apparel sector.” The non-market policies and practices employed by China in the textiles and apparel sector confer significant competitive advantages to its domestic manufacturers, allowing them to set prices for their products at artificially low levels. The closure of 28 US textile and apparel plants over the past 22 months has had a detrimental effect on domestic manufacturers in the sector.
In another post, USTR stated, “The United States imported $79.3 billion worth of apparel in 2024, 21% of which came from China.” Chinese e-commerce firms represented more than 30% of all daily de minimis shipments entering the United States, inundating the market with inexpensive apparel products while circumventing tariffs and evading trade enforcement measures. The surge of inexpensive clothing has severely impacted domestic manufacturing, especially in the Southeastern region of the United States.
According to USTR, the total goods trade between the US and China was estimated at USD 582.4 billion in 2024. In 2024, US goods exports to China amounted to USD 143.5 billion, reflecting a decrease of 2.9 per cent, or USD 4.2 billion, compared to 2023. In 2024, US goods imports from China reached USD 438.9 billion, reflecting an increase of 2.8 per cent, or USD 12.1 billion, compared to 2023. The US goods trade deficit with China reached USD 295.4 billion in 2024, reflecting a 5.8 percent increase of USD 16.3 billion compared to 2023.
