Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports to the United States declined by nearly 11% year-on-year in October, as higher tariffs imposed under the Trump administration dampened consumer demand and disrupted buying patterns in the world’s largest apparel market.

The impact of the reciprocal tariff measures is increasingly being felt across major apparel-exporting countries, primarily due to weakening US consumption driven by rising import duties. Overall US apparel imports dropped by around 19% in October, reflecting subdued demand amid higher retail prices, according to The Business Standard.

Data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (Otexa) shows that the downturn was widespread, with apparel shipments from nearly all major exporting countries to the US recording declines during the month. Under the tariff regime introduced in August, Bangladeshi apparel products are now subject to an additional 20% duty, taking the total tariff burden to 36%.

China and India face even higher tariff rates, resulting in sharper export contractions. In October alone, US apparel imports from China plunged by 53%, while imports from India fell by nearly 29%, Otexa data showed.

Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said higher tariffs have fuelled inflation in the US apparel market, reducing consumer purchasing power. He noted that buyers rushed to place orders ahead of the August tariff implementation, leading to a temporary spike in shipments followed by a noticeable slowdown.

Otexa data indicates that US apparel imports grew between January and July but began declining after the new tariffs came into effect in August, with China, the largest exporter to the US, being the most affected.

Despite the recent slowdown, Bangladesh’s garment exports to the US have been relatively less affected compared to other major suppliers. Between January and October, Bangladesh’s exports to the US grew by more than 15%, although this was lower than the nearly 22% growth recorded during the January–July period. Over the same ten months, US apparel imports from China declined by 32%.

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