The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the Federation of Argentine Textile Industries (FITA) have jointly launched the EU–Mercosur Textile and Apparel Dialogue (TAD), an industry platform designed to strengthen collaboration between the European and Mercosur textile and apparel sectors.
The initiative aims to support the effective and balanced implementation of the EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, with particular emphasis on reciprocal market access, resilient supply chains, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
Trade between the European Union and Mercosur in textiles and clothing reached nearly €700 million in 2025. European exports to Mercosur accounted for €495 million, while imports from the region totalled €199 million. The new agreement is expected to create further opportunities to expand trade, improve market access, encourage investment, and strengthen cooperation throughout the textile and apparel value chain.
Through the Dialogue, companies and industry representatives will have a structured platform to address key trade and business issues, including trade flows, investment opportunities, rules of origin, customs procedures, and regulatory barriers. The participating organisations will also collaborate on sustainability, circularity, traceability, enforcement, and fair competition to promote a more transparent and competitive industry.
EURATEX President Mario Jorge Machado highlighted the importance of the agreement in opening new opportunities for the sector. He emphasised that closer cooperation between the regions could translate into stronger business partnerships, more resilient value chains, increased investment, and fair market access.
The Dialogue will bring together senior industry representatives twice a year, with meetings alternating between virtual and in-person formats. Its chairmanship will rotate annually among EURATEX, ABIT, and FITA, ensuring shared leadership and continued engagement from all participating organisations.
The mandate establishing the Dialogue was signed in Fortaleza by Mario Jorge Machado, President of EURATEX; Fernando Valente Pimentel, President Emeritus of ABIT; and Luis Tendlarz, President of FITA. The initiative marks a step towards deeper industrial cooperation and the development of a more competitive and sustainable textile and apparel sector across Europe and Mercosur.