b'20American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comUS importers eye Vietnam as an alternative textiles source US interest in Vietnamese sourced textiles is growing. Andgreaterforeigninvestmentintextilesisnt far behind.By Manik Mehta, AJOTThe2025HeimtextilofVietnamDesignAssocia-InternationalTrade Fair, thetion(VDAS),andanexpert worldslargesthome-textileonthecountrystextileand show held recently in Frankfurt,garmentindustry,explained provided pointers to WesterninaninterviewinFrankfurt importerseyeingVietnamwiththeAmericanJournal asanalternativesupplierofofTransportationthatViet-textilesandgarmentsamidnamwasmonitoringtrends signs of a US-led tariff warinmajormarkets,including against China.sustainabilityandrecycling. SincetakingofficeonVietnamstextileindustry January20,USPresidentisplacingemphasisoncir-DonaldTrumphasstartledculareconomy,inkeeping globalsupplychainswithwith the sustainability trend, histariffrhetoricwhichTranexplained.Sustainability essentially translates as restrictingisdrivingmanycountriesto foreignsupplieswithhurdlesresorttorecyclingofused suchastariffsonimports,(SOURCE continued on thereby strengthening domesticpage 28) 2025 Heimtextil International Trade Fair, the worlds largest home-textile show held recently in Frankfurt, Germany.industriesandjobcreation. Chinaisseenasthemain targetofthetariffsbecause it has persistently engaged in unimpeded exports, including fentanyl, to the US. With trade tariffs hanging like the proverbial Damocles swordoverimportsfrom China,buyersarelooking atVietnamasanalternative manufacturing site for a range of products, including textiles, apparel and footwear.Many hadconsideredBangladesh asanalternativesource,but that countrys political unrest isfrighteningawaymany potential buyers and investors. Indeed,Vietnamseemsto beafavoritemanufacturing siteformanycompanies, thanks to its political stability, strong business ethics and an overwhelming desire to assert itspositionintheUSand other markets.v ietnaMt eXtilee XPortsVietnams textile exports (textiles, garments, including technicalandcordfabrics) faredwellinthefirstthree quarters of 2024 with exports touching,accordingtothe General Department of Vietnam Customs, $ 31.2 billion, a 9.8% year-on-year growth. Vietnams textiles and gar-ment exports to the US reached $12billioninthefirstthree quarters, up 9.1% compared tothecorresponding2023 period.Thecountrystotal textile/garmentexporttarget for the entire year 2024 was set at $44 billion. AtthemainHeimtextil show,organizedbyMesse FrankfurtGmbH,Vietnam highlighted its strength in textiles andgarmentmanufacturing during a special presentation stagedbytheHongKong-based Messe Frankfurt (HK), whichorganizesmanyof the Frankfurt shows in Asia, includingtheVIATTtrade show in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from Feb. 26-28, 2025. DanhTran,vicepresident'