Fashion
India, EU review progress in FTA negotiations
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to conclude the India-EU FTA by the end of 2025, following the clear direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the College of Commissioners’ visit to New Delhi in February 2025. The engagement focused on achieving a mutually beneficial, balanced and equitable trade agreement, reflecting the depth of political trust and the strategic ties between India and the European Union, and at the same time respecting each other’s sensitivities and priorities.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal visited Brussels to advance India-EU FTA negotiations, holding productive talks with EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on outstanding issues.
Both sides reaffirmed their aim to conclude a balanced, mutually beneficial FTA by end-2025, addressing tariff, non-tariff, and regulatory concerns.
An EU technical team will visit India next week to build on the progress achieved.
India recognises the importance of ensuring that the FTA remains balanced in addressing both tariff and non-tariff barriers and creating transparent and predictable regulatory frameworks that accelerate trade for both partners in the coming years, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a press release.
There was intensive engagement to explore possible landing zones on the outstanding issues. There was also a good discussion on India’s concerns on non-tariff measures and the new EU regulations. During the negotiations, Goyal emphasised the need for preferential treatment for India’s key asks, particularly those with respect to labour-intensive sectors. Both sides agreed to work closely to finalise the non-sensitive industrial tariff lines. They also agreed that issues related to steel, auto, CBAM, and other EU regulations still require further discussion, as these issues have higher sensitivities.
India looks forward to working closely with the European Union to transform this vision into reality through shared innovation, balanced, equitable, and meaningful trade, and a collective commitment to peace and prosperity. To advance the ongoing discussions, the EU technical team led by the director general for trade will visit India next week with the objective of achieving a constructive conclusion based on the potential solutions identified over the past two days, the release added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
India’s textile outlook is turning structurally complex.
The EU pact targets ~99.5 per cent trade coverage with phased duty relief, while rupee weakness supports exports.
However, crude volatility, >80 per cent import energy dependence, polyester cost inflation and US market softness (≈28 per cent share) are fragmenting performance, reinforcing a shift towards cotton-led, EU-focused exporters.
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Official data showed that 186 transactions were completed under the zero-tariff policy, covering goods worth nearly ¥1.7 billion (~$236 million), reflecting a 1.46-fold rise compared to the previous year. The policy also resulted in duty exemptions totalling ¥271 million (~$37.6 million).
The figures were released at a press conference held ahead of the 100-day milestone of the policy’s implementation.
Hainan Free Trade Port recorded trade exceeding ¥80 billion (~$11.6 billion) in its first 100 days of special customs operations, up 32.9 per cent YoY.
A total of 186 zero-tariff transactions were completed, covering goods worth ¥1.7 billion (~$236 million), while duties worth ¥271 million (~$37.6 million) were exempted, reflecting strong early momentum.
Launched on December 18, the island-wide special customs operations aim to facilitate smoother entry of overseas goods, expand the scope of zero-tariff items, and create a more business-friendly trade environment.
Positioned as the world’s largest free trade port by area, Hainan FTP is expected to play a strategic role in advancing China’s trade liberalisation and economic openness.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
The measure implements tariff reduction commitments made under the ‘Early Harvest Arrangement of the Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development’ between the two countries.
China will implement preferential tariff rates on selected imports from the Republic of the Congo starting April 1 under the Early Harvest Arrangement of their economic partnership agreement.
The move announced by the Customs Tariff Commission, is aimed at fulfilling tariff reduction commitments, enhancing bilateral trade cooperation and advancing long-term economic ties between the two countries.
The commission said the move is in line with China’s tariff law and reflects the country’s continued efforts to expand opening-up and strengthen trade ties with African partners.
Officials stated that the preferential tariff treatment will help deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation and support the development of a higher-level community with a shared future between China and the Republic of the Congo.
The Early Harvest Arrangement, signed in November 2025, marked the first such agreement of its kind between China and an African country, paving the way for broader market access and phased tariff reductions.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
EU gains meet a harsh reality in India: War, rupee, energy shock
Hainan free trade port crosses $11.6 bn trade in 100 days
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