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Euratex: European textile and clothing industry contracts for third consecutive year

The European textile and clothing industry contracted for the third consecutive year in the 2025 financial year, according to the annual report from industry association Euratex. The report documents a continued decline in production, employment and confidence within the sector. The report shows that production volumes fell further in 2025....

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One year of 'Liberation Day': where Trump's tariff plans stand today

When Donald Trump issued an invitation to the White House Rose Garden exactly one year ago, it was already clear to many that something significant was coming. The topic was to be tariffs, “unfair trade” and the American economy. The US president celebrated it as “Liberation Day”. In Germany, the EU and other parts of the world, however, his...

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EU delegation: China must control its goods exports more strictly

During their first visit in eight years, MEPs in China have demanded greater control over the export of Chinese goods. “We have repeatedly stated that it is important for exports to be more strictly controlled by the Chinese side,” said Anna Cavazzini (Greens), chair of the European Parliament's internal market committee, in Beijing. She added...

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Destruction ban: How Save Our Returns aims to bring returns out of the black box

Millions of returned products, increasing regulation and a rapidly growing re-commerce market are making returns management a strategic issue for the fashion industry. Ernst Lameyer, founder of Save Our Returns, explains why transparency will become mandatory, the risks associated with non-transparent processes and why professional returns...

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European competition plan overlooks textiles

The European Commission unveiled the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. In the presence of leaders from the Committee of the Regions (CoR), executive vice president Stéphane Séjourné presented an initiative designed to fundamentally strengthen the EU's competitive position against major powers such as China. Strategic...

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EU-Mercosur trade deal to take effect despite legal hurdles

The free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc will soon move into provisional application, despite an ongoing review by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the move in Brussels following ratification by Uruguay and Argentina on Thursday. Provisional...

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EU parliament halts implementation of customs deal with US

The European Parliament has formally suspended the implementation of the customs agreement between the US and the EU. The background to this is the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, according to the chairman of the trade committee, Bernd Lange (SPD). “We want a clear assurance from the United States that they will adhere to the...

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Trump's tariff defeat, new tariffs: EU assesses consequences

Following the US Supreme Court's decision against president Donald Trump's tariff policy, the EU and other countries are attempting to assess the precise consequences for the global economy. A special session of the legal service and the negotiating team, which was responsible for a customs agreement between the US and the EU, is scheduled for...

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Unsold goods: EU bans their destruction, imposing a new model on fashion

A practice long considered a necessary evil in industrial fashion will become illegal from July 19. The EU will prohibit large companies from destroying their unsold clothing, footwear and accessories, ending the annual incineration and landfilling of millions of new items. Enshrined in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR),...

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The Fabricant receives European support for AI project to improve fashion industry

The European Union is providing financial support to the Amsterdam-based fashion-tech company The Fabricant for the development of an AI-driven initiative. In collaboration with the University of the Arts London (UAL), the Image to Pattern project focuses on automating the conversion of design sketches into production-ready patterns, according...

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SME Fund 2026 launched to help EU businesses protect intellectual property

The SME Fund 2026 was launched yesterday, February 2, to help businesses protect their intellectual property. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the support of the European Commission and the intellectual property offices of the EU member states, has launched a new SME Fund programme for 2026. This initiative is aimed...

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Taxation of small Chinese parcels: EU moves to practical implementation

Brussels (Belgium) - The principle has been agreed, yet practical details remain to be settled. The 27 member states must find a provisional solution on Friday to tax the mountains of small Chinese parcels imported into the European Union “as soon as possible” in 2026. This move comes without waiting for the initial deadline set for 2028. Some...