With substantial progress in the free trade agreement negotiations between India and the European Union, a vast free trade area encompassing 1.8 billion people is poised to emerge. This agreement is expected tosignificantly reduce or even eliminate bilateral tariffs on textiles, directly impacting the global textile trade landscape. For China, the world's largest textile exporter, this represents not only competition for orders but also a profound challenge concerning the position of its industr

Against the backdrop of ongoing global supply chain adjustments, Egypt, a North African nation, is rapidly emerging as a new apparel manufacturing and export hub, leveraging its strategic location, cost advantages, and proactive investment attraction policies. According to the latest forecasts from industry institutions, driven strongly by new investment projects from China, Turkey, and other countries, Egypt's apparel export value is projected to increase to$4.4 billionby 2026, signaling a sign

In January 2026, Japan's manufacturing sector reached a critical turning point. According to the latest data released by S&P Global, the seasonally adjusted Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 51.5 in January, not only surpassing the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction but also reaching its highest level since August 2022. This figure marks the formal return of Japan's manufacturing sector to expansionary territory after an extended period of con

Over the past week, a bearish sentiment has persisted in the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) cotton futures market. Market data shows that the price of the ICE cotton main contract (March 2026 contract) has declined continuously from last week's high near 63.17 cents per pound, closing at62.31 cents per poundas of February 3, with a cumulative weekly drop ofapproximately 0.87 cents. After opening on February 4, the price continued to fluctuate near the yearly low of62.30 cents per pound, with ov

February 3, 2026, Washington— According to the latest data released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for January 2026 reached52.6%. This figure is not only significantly higher than the 49.8% recorded in December of last year but also successfullysurpassed the 50% threshold that separates expansion from contraction, indicating that the U.S. manufacturing sector has returned to an expansion trajectory at the beginning of t

The Chief Minister of India's Odisha State, Mohan Charan Majhi, recently announced plans to establish textile mills in the state's cotton-producing areas, with a focus on the western region. This decision aims to promote regional economic transformation by leveraging the advantages of cotton cultivation to build a complete textile industry chain. Majhi stated that areas with high cotton yields will be prioritized for policy support and resource allocation. By setting up modern textile mills, l

Recently, Seoul— The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea officially announced today the launch of a special support plan for the textile industry, with a total amount of240 billion won (approximately 165 million US dollars), aimed at promoting the upgrading of the domestic textile industry towards three strategic directions:high-value-added material research and development, global brand building, and full-industry-chain digital transformation. This move signifies that th

February 2, 2026, Washington/New Delhi— In an agreement that could reshape the global textile trade landscape, the United States and India have formally concluded a new trade pact. The U.S. import tariff on Indian textiles will beslashed significantly from the previous 50% to 18%. This new rate is not only markedly lower than before but also undercuts thestandard 20% tariff ratetypically applied to major textile exporting nations like Vietnam and Bangladesh. The announcement has immediatel

February 3, 2026— A major consolidation has taken place in the global textile machinery and fiber technology sector. Rieter officially announced yesterday that it successfully completed the full acquisition of renowned fiber equipment manufacturer Barmag on February 2, 2026. This transaction not only marks a strategic upgrade for Rieter in the field of fiber system supply but also propels the company to the forefront as a leading global supplier of system solutions for both natural and syn

According to the latest revisions to the UK government's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), Sri Lanka has achieved a critical upgrade in its trade status.Effective January 1, 2026, all goods exported from Sri Lanka to the UK, including its pillar industries ofapparel and textiles, will enjoycomprehensive zero-tariff treatment. This policy is hailed by Sri Lanka's industry as a "historic opportunity," expected to drive significant growth in its exports to the UK. Previously, some Sri La