Brussels, 9 October 2026 – EURATEX has joined 43 other European industry organisations in calling for stronger EU trade defence measures to protect European manufacturing, safeguard jobs and ensure fair competition in the Single Market.
In a joint statement, the 44 organisations urge EU Member States and the European Commission to take decisive action against unfair trade practices, persistent global overcapacity and market distortions driven by state subsidies.
The initiative brings together industries from across the European manufacturing value chain, including textiles, chemicals, metals, automotive suppliers and other strategic sectors.
European industry faces growing pressure
European manufacturers are operating in an increasingly challenging global environment. High energy costs, growing international competition and unfair trade practices are putting additional pressure on industrial competitiveness.
The situation is particularly concerning as state-driven overcapacity and underpriced imports continue to distort global markets.
According to Eurostat figures cited in the statement, the EU’s trade deficit in goods with China reached approximately €359.8 billion in 2025, equivalent to almost €1 billion per day.
For EURATEX, ensuring fair competition is essential to maintaining a strong European textile and clothing industry, supporting quality employment and encouraging investment in European production.
Three priorities for stronger EU trade defence
The joint statement identifies three urgent actions to strengthen Europe’s ability to respond to unfair international competition.
1. Strengthen the European Commission’s trade defence capacity
The organisations call for additional human resources and expertise within DG TRADE to accelerate investigations into unfair trade practices.
Faster procedures would help European companies, particularly SMEs and mid-sized businesses, access trade defence instruments more effectively.
2. Make better use of existing trade defence instruments
The EU should deploy its existing tools, including anti-dumping measures, anti-subsidy measures and safeguards, more quickly and effectively wherever justified.
The statement also calls for stronger action against circumvention practices, greater consideration of environmental and social costs, and a comprehensive approach that protects entire industrial value chains.
3. Develop new tools to address global market distortions
Existing instruments alone may not adequately address the growing complexity of state-driven distortions.
The signatories therefore call for a new, targeted policy toolkit capable of responding to unfair competition, including distortions linked to investments in production facilities in third countries.
Fair competition is essential for Europe’s industrial future
For the European textile and clothing industry, trade defence is closely linked to the broader objective of strengthening industrial competitiveness.
European manufacturers must be able to compete under fair conditions while investing in innovation, sustainability and high-quality production.
Effective EU trade defence measures should complement policies addressing energy costs, regulatory burdens and investment conditions.
EURATEX supports a rules-based trading system that promotes open markets without allowing unfair practices to undermine European manufacturing.
The joint statement sends a clear message: Europe needs stronger, faster and more effective trade defence instruments to preserve its industrial base, protect employment and strengthen long-term economic resilience.
Read the full joint statement – 44 European organisations call for more ambitious EU trade defence.