Insights Euro area perceived inflation steady at 3.1 per cent for the seventh month, with one-year expectations rising to 2.8 per cent and five-year expectations at a three-year high of 2.2 per cent, as per ECB's August 2025 consumer expectations survey. Income growth expectations increased, spending perceptions rose, while unemployment expectations edged up to 10.7 per cent. In the euro area, the median rate of perceived inflation over the past 12 months held steady at 3.1 per cent in August

On September 23, the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) was officially signed in Bali, Indonesia. The agreement, negotiations for which began in 2016 and reached a political consensus in July this year, marks a new stage in bilateral relations between Southeast Asia's largest economy and the EU. Indonesia has become the third Southeast Asian country to sign such an agreement with the EU, after Singapore and Vietnam. Over 98% of Tariff Lines Eliminat

Insights US trade body AAFA recently wrote to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation expressing concern over the PFAS analyte restrictions at the proposed levels and urging the latter to clarify that the testing thresholds don't apply to products made with recycled materials. It advocated for explicit exemption from PFAS regulation for items made with at least 50 per cent recycled content. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) recently wrote to the New Yo

nsights Profits of major industrial firms in China rose by 0.9 per cent YoY between January and August 2025, reversing the 1.7-per cent drop in the January-July period, official data show. In August, profits of major industrial firms rose by 20.4 per cent YoY, compared with a 1.5-per cent YoY drop in July. Their business revenue expanded by 1.9 per cent YoY, one percentage point faster than the previous month. Profits of major industrial firms in China increased by 0.9 per cent year on year (

Insights China has initiated a probe into Mexico's restrictive measures that the former feels are trade and investment barriers. The measures include Mexico's plans to raise tariffs on products from China and other non-FTA partners, as well as its other trade and investment restrictions. China feels the tariffs will harm interests of Mexico's trading partners and also seriously affect its own business environment. The Chinese Commerce Ministry has initiated a probe into Mexico's restrictive m

Insights ICE cotton futures fell, with December 2025 settling at 66.17 cents per pound, its fourth-lowest close this year, as a stronger US dollar made cotton costlier for overseas buyers and grain market weakness spilled over. Oil prices jumped nearly 3 per cent, raising polyester costs and supporting cotton demand. Traders await USDA's Weekly Export Report for clarity on export activity. ICE cotton futures closed lower as a stronger US dollar made US cotton more expensive for overseas buyer

The practice of "turning Green into Gold " in Keqiao's printing and dyeing industry outlines a vivid picture of the green transformation of traditional manufacturing. Breakthroughs by enterprises like "Yingfeng Technology" and "Yuexin Technology" in green raw materials and clean energy have not only enabled local brands to join international supply chains but also demonstrated the possibility of symbiotic prosperity between economic benefits and ecological benefits under the guidance of the "Two

Insights The Eurasian Economic Commission recently announced its decision to apply threshold safeguard measures on two groups of Vietnamese textile and garment products exported to the Eurasian Economic Union. The two groups include women's or girls' clothing, long dresses, skirts and some other types of apparel. The validity period of the threshold safeguard measure is six months. The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) recently announced its decision to apply threshold safeguard measures on

Insights Chinese Premier Li Qiang yesterday announced his country would stop seeking the special and differential treatment offered to developing countries in WTO agreements. “This is a culmination of many years of hard work and I want to applaud China's leadership on this issue!” WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on X. This change was long demanded by the United States. Chinese Premier Li Qiang yesterday announced in new York that his country would stop seeking the sp

Insights Heimtextil 2026 (January 13–16) expands its Carpets & Rugs segment across four levels—Halls 11.0, 11.1, 12.0, and 3.0—marking record demand. Hall 12.0 hosts global leaders like Balta, Merinos, Oriental Weavers, and Belgian Textiles, plus new Flooring & Equipment. Indian and Chinese groups join in Halls 11.0–11.1. The new Future Floor area highlights sustainability, trends, and networking. Strong prospects for the global carpet industry: Carpets &