he United States has issued a strong warning regarding China's trade practices in the textiles and apparel sector, highlighting non-market policies that give Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage. This has led to the closure of 28 U.S. manufacturing plants over the past 22 months.

In 2024, the U.S. imported $79.3 billion worth of apparel, with 21% originating from China. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) noted that Chinese e-commerce companies accounted for over 30% of all daily de minimis shipments into the U.S., flooding the market with inexpensive apparel products while bypassing tariffs and evading trade enforcement mechanisms.

The USTR emphasized that China's non-market policies enable its manufacturers to offer products at artificially low prices, undermining U.S. textile and apparel producers. This influx of cheap apparel has particularly impacted local industries in the southeastern United States. 

In response, U.S. textile executives have urged the USTR to consider increasing Section 301 tariffs on finished textile and apparel imports from China and to close the de minimis loophole that allows small shipments to enter the country duty-free. 

The USTR continues to enforce trade laws, including the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, to protect domestic industries and ensure fair competition.