The existence of quotas in the past made it necessary for supplier to sell US or EU basing on where quotas were available.
The removal of quotas in textile and clothing, as per the World Trade Organisation's schedule, has resulted in an industry that is streamlining and realigning its processes for better results for both the consumers and world manufacturers. The removal of quotas has enabled importers and retailers to source only from those locations offering the best products and services.
Sourcing locations preferred by US and EU importers will be further affected by factors other than price, productivity and services. In particular, trade remedy measures from the US, and possibly the EU, will have a direct bearing on the sourcing decisions of overseas importers. For instance, clothing imports into the US are clouded with uncertainty resulting from the US industry's petitions to invoke textile safeguards against T&C imports from China. The re-imposition of quotas on T&C from China will inevitably curb the export growth of T&C articles from China.
Source: http://info.hktdc.com/shippers/vol28_2/vol28_2_trade_01.htm