Bangladesh has moved ahead of China in garment exports to the United States during the January–February period of 2026, as shifting trade dynamics and the impact of US reciprocal tariffs reshaped supplier rankings, according to data released by the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA).
China has fallen to the third-largest apparel exporter to the US, while Vietnam now leads the market, followed by Bangladesh in second position.
During the first two months of 2026, Bangladesh exported garments worth $1.37 billion to the US, marking a decline of 8.53 % compared to the same period last year.
Vietnam recorded exports of $2.7 billion, posting a 2.88 % year-on-year growth, further strengthening its leading position.
In contrast, China’s apparel exports to the US dropped sharply to $1.17 billion, reflecting a significant contraction of 57.65 % compared to January–February 2025.
Overall, US garment imports totaled $11.53 billion during the period, representing a 13.47 % decline year-on-year.
Despite Bangladesh’s improved ranking, concerns remain over limited market diversification in its garment export sector, highlighting the need for broader strategic expansion.
