On the chessboard of global trade, the tariff stick of the United States is like a sudden storm, which has brought unprecedented challenges to China's textile industry. However, as the old saying goes, "a blessing in disguise", this adversity has also brought unexpected opportunities for China's textile industry and freight market.
Us tariff escalation: from 54% to 104%
On April 9, 2025, the United States government announced the implementation of tariffs of up to 104% on Chinese imports to the United States, which officially took effect at 00:01 AM Eastern time on April 9.
Previously, the United States announced on April 2 that it would impose a 10% benchmark tariff on all Chinese exports to the United States, and an additional 34% additional tariff on Chinese goods, bringing the comprehensive tax rate to 54%. The tariff escalation has further escalated tensions in the Sino-US trade friction.
The United States claims that the tariff adjustment is in response to the 34 percent tariff imposed by China on American exports. However, this unilateral act not only seriously violates international trade rules, but also has a huge impact on the global industrial chain and supply chain.
The "Danger" and "Machine" of Textile Industry
The impact of the US tariffs on China's textile industry is profound. Data show that from January to February 2025, China's cumulative textile and garment exports fell by 4.5% year-on-year, of which textile exports fell by 2%, and clothing exports fell by 6.9%. The increase in tariffs has significantly reduced the price competitiveness of Chinese textiles in the US market, and some orders have begun to transfer to low-cost countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia. Small and medium-sized enterprises bear the brunt of the increase in tariffs, resulting in higher costs, small and medium-sized enterprises with lower profit margins are difficult to bear the cost of tariffs, and the industry is expected to accelerate clearance.
However, in such adversity, the domestic textile industry has seen the dawn. The tariffs imposed by the United States have reduced the cost performance of high-end textile materials that rely on imports, which provides an alternative space for domestic high-end textiles. Domestic PA66 production capacity is in a stage of sharp rise, although there is still a gap with overseas head enterprises in quality, but external pressure has become an opportunity to accelerate industrial upgrading.
Enterprises have also begun to actively respond by sharing costs and buffering tariff pressure through the layout of the whole industrial chain. Domestic textile enterprises have also made breakthroughs in the research and development and production of high-end materials, such as Xiamen Dangsheng, Jiangsu Qingyun and other enterprises have broken through flash spinning technology. These technological breakthroughs not only improve product quality, but also enhance the competitiveness of domestic textiles in the international market.
Freight choice "Second market"
Yu Haitao, business manager of Shanghai Capsule Yu International Freight Forwarding Co., LTD., said that the existing goods on hand should be sent out before April 9, and the goods can not be received after April 9.
"There is too much uncertainty about cargoes departing after April 9. If the tax is really increased by 50% after arriving in Hong Kong, then the customer's consignee is very likely to abandon the goods." Yu Haitao said that after the United States tariffs came out, the orders shipped to the United States significantly reduced, and Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe slightly more customers, "there are also some customers to ship after April 9, generally advised customers to consult other freight forwarders."
Yuzu Sea founder Ji Lei also said that according to his understanding, in the United States e-commerce situation is still unstable, many Chinese businesses will choose the Mexican market as its integration with the United States market springboard.
"There is a certain opportunity for this option, but it needs to overcome a series of difficulties, and it is recommended that offline access be preferred." Ji Lei said that the Mexican e-commerce market is still in the early stage of development, if it is a cross-border novice or small and medium-sized businesses with small risk resistance, it is recommended not to cut into new markets such as Mexico for the time being, but to give priority to mature and proven markets.
Although the tariff stick of the United States has brought great pressure to the Chinese textile industry, it has also promoted the industry to high-end, green and digital transformation. In the long run, this provides an opportunity for the high-end replacement of domestic textiles, which is expected to promote the industry to achieve industrial upgrading and enhance its competitiveness in the global market. After experiencing short-term fluctuations, the freight market also shows new development opportunities, and under the dual promotion of policy support and market demand, the domestic textile industry and the freight market are expected to usher in a new development situation.
Follow us for more info. wedding & event linen suppliers wholesale Readortex, official website and B2B online store