Beijing, Nov 22, 2025 — Chinese garment manufacturing hubs are grappling with a fresh wave of uncertainty as global trade tensions and tightening U.S. tariff policies disrupt orders and shake long-standing supply chains.
According to the China National Garment Association, in the first half of 2025, although clothing production in large-scale enterprises rose modestly, garment exports saw only slight improvement. Export value growth flattened and many factory owners admitted that the once-booming orders from major foreign clients are drying up.
A focal point of disruption is the “Shein Villages” in Guangzhou’s Panyu District, where dozens of workshops that traditionally supplied Shein have sharply reduced output. Reuters+2Le Monde.fr+2 The situation has reportedly intensified after new U.S. tariff measures made importing low-value packages more expensive, even for cheaper items.
Small and medium-sized garment factories, in particular, are feeling the strain. Many lack the resources to relocate or retool, and some fear bankruptcy. Reuters+1 In response, a number of factories are scrambling to diversify their customer base, tapping into markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to reduce dependence on traditional export channels.
Industry analysts warn that unless trade tensions are eased or factories dramatically shift their business models, 2025 could mark a painful inflection point for China’s low-cost garment-export manufacturing.
Post time: Nov-22-2025