The European Organization of the EURATEX textile industry has indicated that the increase in import value from China to Europe is mainly the result of an increased influx of cheap clothing, the value of which was estimated at around EUR 2 billion. The president of EURATEX, Mario Jorge Machado, noted that Chinese producers, looking for alternative markets, aggressively enter the European market, which also leads to a decrease in the prices of imported products.
– A significant part of Chinese exports, which previously went to the USA, is now heading to Europe. Chinese companies, unable to sell in the United States, they accept a very aggressive price strategy on our market Machado said in an interview with “FT”.
The British daily drew attention to the difficulties of the European Union in limiting the number of parcels from Chinese online sellers, such as this or Shein. The European Commission proposed to abolish the threshold of 150 euros, below which parcels can be sent to the EU without customs, and the introduction of a fixed fee of 2 euros for each such shipment. However, for this change to come into force, the unanimous consent of the Member States is necessary.
For comparison, in August the USa has lifted a similar system, introducing a minimum fee of $ 80. for each shipment. Machado described EU activities in this matter as “funny”, comparing a fee of 2 euros in Europe with American $ 80.
At the same time, the value of exports from the European Union to China decreased by 19 percent. In the first half of 2025, according to “FT”, the reason for this inheritance is the growing competition and the weakening of the Chinese yuan towards the euro.
In the background of these changes, customs are imposed on China by the US, which since the presidency of Donald Trump have currently been 30 percent. European textile companies also experience the effects of higher tariffs on the American market. After signing a trade agreement between the USA and the EU in July, the customs rate for European textiles is 15 percent, while only 11 percent previously. The products were covered by tariffs exceeding this level.
The EU textile sector generates an annual turnover of EUR 170 billion and provides employment for 1.3 million people. However, in the face of dynamic changes on the global market, European companies are faced with increasing challenges, both in the context of competition with China and the effects of American trade policy.
