LUBBOCK, TX (RFD News) — Global apparel exporters are reducing their dependence on the U.S. market, creating a longer-term trade signal for cotton producers and textile supply chains.
Textile and apparel strategist Robert Antoshak says Washington’s tariff posture still assumes foreign suppliers need U.S. buyers more than U.S. buyers need them. He argues that the assumption is weakening as exporters build sales channels in Europe, Asia, regional markets, and domestic consumer markets.
The shift began after 2018, when manufacturers diversified production through China-plus-one sourcing. Antoshak says the newer move is not only about where goods are made but also about who factories sell to.
That matters for cotton because apparel sourcing patterns influence yarn, fabric, garment, and fiber demand. If factories reduce U.S.-brand exposure, cotton demand may follow more regional and trade-agreement-driven supply chains.
The U.S. market remains important, but exporters with broader customer books have more room to manage tariff shocks.
