Amid mounting claims of “protectionism”, a new survey shows the world’s leading textile and garment importers have abolished more barriers to trade in the past six months than ever before.

The new, 2009, edition of the Clothesource Guide to Apparel Trade Rules surveyed rule and policy changes made since October 2008 by the 20 leading clothes importing countries and the 30 leading garment exporters. Contrary to claims of” growing protectionism”, it found more barriers to garment importing had been removed, and more import duties lowered, than in any other six months on record.

The US has abandoned quota restrictions on Chinese clothing and taken away its government’s right to start anti-dumping cases against Vietnam without any evidence US businesses want them. That’s why Vietnam and China have increased sales to the US. America’s made it easier for Haiti, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia to get duty-free access for clothes they sell the US (hence Haiti’s growing share), and also implemented duty-free trade agreements with Costa Rica and Peru.

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