The three associations welcome closer cooperation between the European Union and Canada, highlighting the textile and apparel industry's potential to strengthen transatlantic economic relations. As an important part of advanced manufacturing in both regions, the sector offers opportunities for expanding trade, developing industrial partnerships and improving supply chain resilience.

Textile trade between the EU and Canada continues to grow

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), provisionally applied since September 2017, has established a foundation for bilateral trade.

EU exports of textiles and clothing to Canada approached €997 million in 2025, while imports from Canada totalled €147 million. During the first six months of 2026, EU textile and apparel exports to Canada reached €702 million, representing an increase of 5.7% compared with the same period in 2025.

According to the associations, these figures demonstrate the potential for further growth along the textile and apparel value chain.

For Canadian manufacturers, the European market provides opportunities to expand exports, establish new commercial relationships and diversify beyond traditional markets. Canada's textile and apparel industry has particular expertise in technical textiles, advanced materials and specialised products for defence, healthcare, transportation, construction and other industrial applications.

Industry associations call for better utilisation of CETA

EURATEX, CTIA and CAF emphasise that further efforts are needed to enable companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to benefit fully from CETA.

The associations encourage EU Member States that have not yet ratified the agreement to complete their national procedures, allowing CETA to enter fully into force and providing greater long-term stability for textile and apparel businesses

According to the European Commission, the overall preference utilisation rate for EU exports to Canada increased from 38.7% in 2018 to 63.2% in 2024. Despite this progress, a considerable proportion of eligible exporters are still not taking advantage of available tariff preferences.

The associations therefore call for clearer information, practical guidance and simplified procedures to help SMEs make better use of the agreement.

They also stress the importance of ensuring that Canadian manufacturers can fully benefit from access to the European market. Greater awareness of tariff preferences and stronger business connections could help unlock additional opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Building on existing industry partnerships

Cooperation between the European and Canadian textile industries has already intensified.

In April 2026, EURATEX signed complementary joint policy statements with CAF at Première Vision Montréal and with CTIA at Techtextil Frankfurt.

These agreements established a framework for closer industry dialogue, stronger business relationships and cooperation on sustainability and innovation.

The resulting EU–Canada Textile and Apparel Dialogue provides a platform for translating shared priorities into concrete initiatives, facilitating business-to-business partnerships and strengthening cooperation between manufacturers.

Technical textiles, circularity and innovation as priorities

Looking ahead, the three associations support joint research and industrial partnerships in technical textiles, advanced materials, circularity and recycling technologies.

These areas are considered important for strengthening industrial competitiveness, developing innovative solutions and creating additional value throughout the textile and apparel supply chain.

EURATEX, CTIA and CAF also advocate more coherent approaches to traceability, eco-design and digital product information.

Closer regulatory cooperation, including the alignment of technical requirements and, where appropriate, mutual recognition of standards, could reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, particularly for SMEs.

The associations emphasise that regulatory frameworks should support innovation, investment and industrial competitiveness to maintain a strong manufacturing base in both Canada and Europe.

Strengthening transatlantic supply chains

Against the backdrop of global trade uncertainty, EURATEX, CTIA and CAF underline the importance of open, rules-based trade and resilient, diversified supply chains.

They call on European and Canadian leaders to use the EU–Canada Summit to strengthen CETA implementation, facilitate business-to-business connections, support joint industrial projects and promote innovation.

The three associations reaffirm their willingness to work with governments and industry partners to translate these objectives into concrete opportunities for manufacturers and reinforce the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the transatlantic textile and apparel industry.