Euratex Calls for Urgent Action to Improve Industrial Competitiveness in Europe
The European Textile Confederation (Euratex) has called on the EU Commission to prioritize industrial competitiveness, particularly within manufacturing sectors like textiles. While acknowledging the State of the Union address by Ursula von der Leyen highlighted trade rebalancing and reducing red tape, Euratex expressed disappointment that these issues did not receive sufficient attention. The organization emphasized that a strong industrial base is essential for Europe's defense capabilities, green transition, digital transformation, and social model. Euratex specifically urged stronger customs enforcement against textile imports from China, which it says has created an unsustainable trade deficit. It also called for reducing administrative burdens on SMEs caused by inconsistent EU rule implementation across member states. The group stressed the need for targeted support to position textiles as a strategic sector and requested preference in technical and defense-related contracts. Euratex welcomed recent cooperation with Canadian textile associations, including signing an MoU with CTIA and CAF, and expressed readiness to contribute expertise to new youth employment initiatives in Mediterranean regions.
Topics: competitiveness EU regulations textile industry trade policy