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Biography

David Birnbaum, co-founder of Birnbaum & Father Ltd, is a garment industry specialist who has been retained by importers, middlemen, and factories as well as international institutions and governments. He is a leading expert in garment industry strategic development and transfer pricing, and is the author of nine books including “Birnbaum’s Global Guide to Agents and Buying Offices” (2015), as well as the monthly Birnbaum Report.

Articles by David Birnbaum

The unintended consequences of China clothing tariffs – Comment 13 August 2018

If President Donald Trump imposes punitive tariffs on Chinese imports into the United States, David Birnbaum believes the move would simply subsidise every other garment exporting country in the world, in the form of increased orders at higher prices.

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No miracle at midnight on the coming garment tariffs – Comment 26 July 2018

China is the target in the upcoming trade war with the US, and Donald Trump's latest threat to impose tariffs on all US$500bn of imported goods from China will undoubtedly hit garments. But replacing China means replacing 37-42% of all US apparel imports – and its deflationary impact on FOB prices, writes David Birnbaum.

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Trends in US garment imports from South Asia 28 March 2018

This, the second in a series of articles showing month by month changes in US garment imports, covers South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

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Winners and losers of a Trump tariff on China garments 22 March 2018

As President Donald Trump prepares to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese imports into the United States – which could include apparel and footwear – David Birnbaum takes a look at the potential winners and losers in the global garment trade.

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What’s best for business – Family firms vs public companies 2 March 2018

Why are family-run firms prospering while traditional professionally-run multinational corporations are failing? David Birnbaum suggests the best examples of the contrast between the two are to be found within the global garment industry.

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Trends in US garment imports from Mexico and DR-CAFTA 17 January 2018

Negotiators are preparing to meet for the sixth round of NAFTA trade talks next week – and as soon as this deal has been repackaged, the spotlight could turn to the US free trade agreement with Central America. Here, in the first of a series of articles showing month by month changes in US garment imports, David Birnbaum takes a look at Mexico and DR-CAFTA.

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The e-commerce revolution yet to come – Comment 10 January 2018

It is only a matter of time before the internet will undercut almost every traditional supplier of consumer services and products, writes David Birnbaum, adding: The only survivors will be the few brick & mortar and e-commerce companies that provide real value.

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American populism and the global garment industry – Comment 4 January 2018

Our industry is undergoing a truly generational change. Do we really want to fight pick a fight with our consumers as well? asks David Birnbaum.

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Unravelling the Indian garment export anomaly 8 December 2017

How is it possible that an industry that, for all practical purposes, is dominated by a single season can become one of the world's largest garment exporters? David Birnbaum takes a closer look at the Indian garment anomaly.

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The coming trade war – From America first to America last 19 October 2017

There is an increasing possibility that we are moving inexorably towards a global trade war. Should there be a trade war, the responsibility will lie with the United States and, more precisely, with its President and his America First policy. And the implications would not just hit trade, but also social issues and security.