China’s textile and apparel exports showed modest growth in April 2025 despite heightened trade tensions due to new “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the United States.

According to the General Administration of Customs, textile and apparel exports reached $24.19 billion, up 1.5 per cent year-on-year and 3.4 per cent month-on-month.

Textile exports rose by 3.4 per cent to $12.58 billion, while apparel exports slipped 0.5 per cent to $11.61 billion.

From January to April, cumulative exports in the sector totalled $90.47 billion, a 1.1 per cent increase over the same period last year. Textile exports accounted for $45.85 billion, rising 3.8 per cent, whereas apparel exports fell 1.5 per cent to $44.62 billion.

In yuan terms, January-April exports stood at 649.54 billion yuan, up 2.2 per cent year-on-year. While textile exports climbed 4.9 per cent, apparel dipped by 0.5 per cent.

The uneven trend reflects lingering global trade uncertainty and pressure on China’s apparel shipments.