Xinjiang cotton bill to benefit Central American countries

In 2021, China accounted for 15.4 per cent of US apparel imports. Of this, nearly one-third constituted non-cotton apparel items. US fashion companies imported 2,662m SME more clothing from China in 2021 than a year ago. However, the newly enforced Uyghur Forced Labor Presentation Act will change market scenario in 2022. Enforcement of the new law will make it tough for US fashion companies to source much from China.

Moreover US fashion brands and retailers will have to reconsider sourcing from China due with US Customs prohibiting import of goods made with raw materials from Xinjiang, western buyers have no choice but to diversify sourcing, adds Antoshak. This scenario will benefit apparel associations in Mexico who should seize this opportunity by catering to the growing demand for raw material and supplies, says Guillermo Romero, Executive President, APIMEX (Asociación de Empresas Proveedoras Industriales de México