European textile industry association, EURATEX, the Canadian Textile Industry Association (CTIA) and the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) called for stronger cooperation to unlock textile and garment trade opportunities.
At the EU–Canada Summit in Montréal, a joint declaration from the trade bodies argued that textiles and apparel could reinforce the transatlantic relationship, given the industry’s weight in advanced manufacturing on both sides.
The organisations pointed to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has been in provisional application since September 2017, as a platform for expanding commerce.
European shipments of textiles and clothing to Canada came close to €997 million in 2025, whereas imports from Canada amounted to €147 million.
Between January and June 2026, European exports totalled €702 million, a rise of 5.7% on the equivalent period of 2025.
According to the associations, these numbers demonstrate a mature trading relationship with considerable room to grow throughout the textile and apparel value chain.
Europe offers Canadian producer’s scope to boost exports, build commercial links and reduce reliance on conventional markets.
Canada’s sector contributes manufacturing know-how in technical textiles, advanced materials and specialist products for defence, healthcare, transport, construction and other industrial uses.
Call for complete CETA implementation
The associations stressed that more work was required so businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), could exploit CETA fully.
They urged EU Member States to ratify the deal to finish their domestic procedures, allowing it to enter fully into force and giving textile and apparel companies lasting certainty.
The European Commission reported that the overall preference utilisation rate for EU exports to Canada climbed from 38.7% in 2018 to 63.2% in 2024.
Although this signals progress, the associations noted it also reveals that qualifying exporters are not always claiming the tariff preferences open to them.
They asked for practical guidance to be presented more plainly and accessibly, so a larger number of SMEs could benefit.
The groups added that Canadian manufacturers must likewise be able to tap CETA’s opportunities in the European market.
Better awareness of tariff preferences, streamlined procedures and firmer links between Canadian and European firms would help release its full potential.
Sustainability and innovation in focus
EURATEX, CTIA and CAF said they were already moving to strengthen industry relationships.
In April 2026, EURATEX concluded complementary joint policy statements with CAF at Première Vision Montréal and with CTIA at Techtextil Frankfurt.
Under these declarations, the associations pledged closer industry dialogue, firmer business ties and collaboration on sustainability and innovation.
The EU-Canada Textile and Apparel Dialogue, launched through those statements, offers a forum for converting common priorities into tangible results, nurturing business-to-business partnerships and deepening cooperation between Canadian and European manufacturers.
Looking forward, EURATEX, CITA and CAF back joint research and industrial partnerships spanning technical textiles, advanced materials, circularity and recycling technologies.
In their view, these fields present openings to bolster industrial competitiveness, create innovative solutions and generate value along the textile and apparel supply chain.
The groups also requested more consistent approaches to traceability, eco-design and digital product information, together with regulatory cooperation.
That might involve harmonising technical requirements and, where suitable, recognising each other’s standards.
Such collaboration would cut needless regulatory burdens, especially for SMEs, which account for most of the sector, the associations said.
They added that regulatory frameworks ought to underpin innovation, investment and industrial competitiveness so that a robust manufacturing base is preserved in both regions.
Amid global trade uncertainty, EURATEX, CTIA and CAF further emphasised the value of open, rules-based trade and resilient, diversified supply chains.
The associations called on EU and Canadian leaders to use the summit to improve CETA implementation, ease business-to-business contacts, back joint industrial projects and champion innovation.
They said they were ready to work alongside governments and industry partners to convert the common ambition into openings for manufacturers across the transatlantic textile and apparel sector.
