U.S. Tariffs Seriously Affect Purchasing, Business Travel; U.S. Fabric Buyers May Skip Heimtex This Time Around
December 16, 2025
World map with arrow pointing from China to United States of America
MIAMI BEACH–Here we are!
The US import tariffs are still in force. It’s December 16. Heimtex is just one month away (January 14-17, 2026.)
“Fabric buyers prefer to reorder what they have bought in the past,” says one veteran fabric agent. He says many American buyers will skip Heimtex this year as a result of the U.S. import tariffs. “Heimtex has four fabric halls this year versus 13 in past years,” he says. Note: The show organizers have done a good job in selling their excess space to the carpet and rug industry this time around.
“There’s nothing new to report about the tariffs,” says Larry Brill, export specialist in Washington, DC. “Some tariffs have been reduced from the initial announcements, but still above what they should be. The upcoming Supreme Court decision will be critical for companies going forward. If upheld, I expect continuing inflation and slowing of the U.S. economy. It will take some time for any meaningful re-shoring to offset the tariffs. Upholstery textiles, in particular, will be difficult due to supply chain issues,” he says.
As a result, U.S. buyers are taking a wait and see approach to purchasing new goods. While they wait, consumer prices for fabrics are going up due to the tariffs.
The Supreme Court has still not ruled on the legality of the Trump tariffs. This too has delayed new fabric purchases as customers prefer to work off their existing inventories. However, most expect the Trump tariffs to continue one way or the other.
President Trump raised tariffs to China 145% in April; then cut the increase to 30% less than a month later. The tariff paid by China dropped to 20% in October. This created much confusion in the marketplace; lots of paperwork and questions of what to do!
Nevertheless, all Chinese exports to the USA are up seven percent over 2024 according to the U.S. Government statistics. In spite of initially paying 50% export duties, China continues to dominate the textile industry worldwide as Chinese manufacturers have been very successful in tapping new markets while U.S. customers are cutting back.
The few U.S. based fabric producers left–namely Glen Raven, Valdese and STI are reaping the rewards as American based customers look for a local hedge with onshore suppliers. In addition, American fabric wholesalers are looking outside of China to try to reduce the cost of Chinese exports.
The US import tariffs are still in force. It’s December 16. Heimtex is just one month away (January 14-17, 2026.)
“Fabric buyers prefer to reorder what they have bought in the past,” says one veteran fabric agent. He says many American buyers will skip Heimtex this year as a result of the U.S. import tariffs. “Heimtex has four fabric halls this year versus 13 in past years,” he says. Note: The show organizers have done a good job in selling their excess space to the carpet and rug industry this time around.
“There’s nothing new to report about the tariffs,” says Larry Brill, export specialist in Washington, DC. “Some tariffs have been reduced from the initial announcements, but still above what they should be. The upcoming Supreme Court decision will be critical for companies going forward. If upheld, I expect continuing inflation and slowing of the U.S. economy. It will take some time for any meaningful re-shoring to offset the tariffs. Upholstery textiles, in particular, will be difficult due to supply chain issues,” he says.
As a result, U.S. buyers are taking a wait and see approach to purchasing new goods. While they wait, consumer prices for fabrics are going up due to the tariffs.
The Supreme Court has still not ruled on the legality of the Trump tariffs. This too has delayed new fabric purchases as customers prefer to work off their existing inventories. However, most expect the Trump tariffs to continue one way or the other.
President Trump raised tariffs to China 145% in April; then cut the increase to 30% less than a month later. The tariff paid by China dropped to 20% in October. This created much confusion in the marketplace; lots of paperwork and questions of what to do!
Nevertheless, all Chinese exports to the USA are up seven percent over 2024 according to the U.S. Government statistics. In spite of initially paying 50% export duties, China continues to dominate the textile industry worldwide as Chinese manufacturers have been very successful in tapping new markets while U.S. customers are cutting back.
The few U.S. based fabric producers left–namely Glen Raven, Valdese and STI are reaping the rewards as American based customers look for a local hedge with onshore suppliers. In addition, American fabric wholesalers are looking outside of China to try to reduce the cost of Chinese exports.
