In a joint statement issued on the occasion of the EU–Canada Summit in Montréal, the associations said the textile and apparel industry had significant potential to strengthen the transatlantic partnership as a major contributor to advanced manufacturing in both markets.
The groups highlighted the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), provisionally applied since September 2017, as a foundation for growing trade relations.
EU exports of textiles and clothing to Canada approached €997m in 2025, while EU imports from Canada totalled €147m. In the first six months of 2026, EU exports reached €702m, up 5.7% compared with the same period in 2025. The associations said the figures reflected an established commercial relationship with significant potential for growth across the textile and apparel value chain.
For Canadian manufacturers, the European market offers opportunities to expand exports, develop commercial relationships and diversify beyond traditional markets. Canada's textile and apparel industry brings manufacturing expertise in technical textiles, advanced materials and specialised products serving defence, healthcare, transportation, construction and other industrial applications.
Calls for full CETA implementation
The associations said further efforts were needed to ensure companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), could make full use of CETA.
They encouraged EU Member States that have not yet ratified the agreement to complete their national procedures, enabling its full entry into force and providing long-term stability for textile and apparel businesses. The European Commission reports that the overall preference utilisation rate for EU exports to Canada increased from 38.7% in 2018 to 63.2% in 2024.
While this represents progress, the associations said it also showed that eligible exporters were not consistently claiming the available tariff preferences. They called for practical guidance to be communicated more clearly and simply so that more SMEs could benefit from the agreement.
Canadian manufacturers must also be able to fully access the opportunities CETA offers in the European market, the groups added. Greater awareness of tariff preferences, simplified procedures and stronger connections between Canadian and European businesses would help unlock its potential.
Focus on sustainability and innovation
EURATEX, CTIA and CAF said they were already working to deepen industry ties.
In April 2026, EURATEX signed complementary joint policy statements with CAF at Première Vision Montréal and with CTIA at Techtextil Frankfurt. Through these statements, the associations committed to closer industry dialogue, stronger business relationships and cooperation on sustainability and innovation.
The EU-Canada Textile and Apparel Dialogue, initiated through the statements, provides a platform to turn shared priorities into practical outcomes, foster business-to-business partnerships and strengthen cooperation between Canadian and European manufacturers.
Looking ahead, EURATEX, CITA and CAF support joint research and industrial partnerships in technical textiles, advanced materials, circularity and recycling technologies. They said these areas offered opportunities to strengthen industrial competitiveness, develop innovative solutions and create value across the textile and apparel supply chain.
The groups also called for more coherent approaches to traceability, eco-design and digital product information, alongside regulatory cooperation. This could include aligning technical requirements and, where appropriate, mutually recognising standards.
Such cooperation would help reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, particularly for SMEs, which make up most of the sector, the associations said. They added that regulatory frameworks should support innovation, investment and industrial competitiveness to maintain a strong manufacturing base in both regions.
At a time of global trade uncertainty, EURATEX, CTIA and CAF also underlined the importance of open, rules-based trade and resilient, diversified supply chains.
The associations invited EU and Canadian leaders to use the summit to strengthen CETA implementation, facilitate business-to-business connections, support joint industrial projects and promote innovation.
They said they stood ready to work with governments and industry partners to turn the shared ambition into opportunities for manufacturers across the transatlantic textile and apparel industry.
