China’s apparel got cheaper but US imports still fell 42.8%

US apparel imports from China fell 42.8 per cent in January–May 2026 despite China offering the lowest average import value at $1.43 per SME.
Buyers increasingly prioritised tariff certainty, compliance and supply-chain resilience over cost, shifting orders to higher-priced sourcing markets while using China’s low benchmark to negotiate elsewhere.US apparel imports from China fell 42.8 per cent in January–May 2026 despite China offering the lowest average import value at $1.43 per SME.
Buyers increasingly prioritised tariff certainty, compliance and supply-chain resilience over cost, shifting orders to higher-priced sourcing markets while using China’s low benchmark to negotiate elsewhere.