Trade & Market

Tariffs And Fuel Costs Weigh On U.S. Import Volumes: NRF Report

Textile Insights April 13, 2026

Rising tariffs and increasing fuel prices are emerging as key headwinds for U.S. import volumes, even as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East show limited direct impact on cargo flows, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett

Trade & Market

India–EU FTA: A Defining Moment For Textiles And Trade Competitiveness

Textile Insights April 9, 2026

The conclusion of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (India-EU FTA) marks a decisive shift in India’s global trade trajectory, with significant implications for the textile and manufacturing sectors. More than a conventional tariff pact, the agreement reflects a broader strategic alignment between India and the European Union, aimed at building resilient supply

Trade & Market

EU, Australia Launch Talks For Horizon Europe Collaboration

Textile Insights April 9, 2026

The European Commission and Australia have formally opened negotiations for Australia’s association with Horizon Europe, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in research and innovation. The move follows recent high-level engagements, including the visit of Ursula von der Leyen to Australia, and reflects a broader push to deepen ties across trade,

Trade & Market

Hormuz Reopens Under Fragile Ceasefire, Shipping Backlog Persists

Textile Insights April 9, 2026

A tentative ceasefire between the US and Iran has raised hopes of reopening the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, but uncertainty continues to cloud the movement of more than 800 vessels stranded across the Persian Gulf. The breakthrough agreement, announced just ahead of a US-imposed deadline by Donald Trump, could allow limited maritime passage after […]

Trade & Market

India Waives Customs Duty On Petrochemicals To Ease Supply Disruptions

Textile Insights April 8, 2026

To ease input cost pressure on domestic industry, the Government of India has announced a full customs duty exemption on select petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, in response to supply chain disruptions arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The decision is positioned as a temporary and targeted intervention to ensure the continued […]

Trade & Market

EU–India FTA To Drive Sectoral Shifts Despite Limited Macro Impact: EY

Textile Insights April 7, 2026

The proposed EU–India Free Trade Agreement is set to reshape sector-level dynamics across Europe, even as its overall macroeconomic impact remains limited, according to the latest outlook by EY. The report indicates that while the agreement is unlikely to significantly alter EU GDP growth, it could trigger meaningful changes within specific industries by improving market

Trade & Market

Piyush Goyal To Visit Canada In May As CEPA Talks Gain Momentum

Textile Insights March 30, 2026

India is set to intensify its global trade engagements as Piyush Goyal prepares for an official visit to Canada in May 2026, at a time when negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries are gaining momentum. The proposed visit follows the formal launch of CEPA negotiations on March 2 and […]

Trade & Market

Indo-Tibet Trade Via Shipki La Set To Resume From June

Textile Insights March 24, 2026

The long-suspended Indo-Tibet trade route through the Shipki La pass in Kinnaur is set to reopen from June this year, marking a significant revival of traditional cross-border commerce halted since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Himachal Pradesh’s Tribal Development and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the easing of earlier restrictions and improving conditions

Trade & Market

India Boosts Trade, Investment Talks Globally

Textile Insights March 24, 2026

India’s push to deepen global economic partnerships and strengthen domestic industry gathered pace as Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of high-level interactions with international counterparts and business leaders. In a virtual meeting with Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy of Mexico, the discussions centred on expanding bilateral trade,

Trade & Market

Paraguay Clears Mercosur–EU Trade Pact, Paving Way For Mega Free Trade Zone

Textile Insights March 20, 2026

Paraguay has become the final South American nation to ratify the landmark Mercosur–European Union Free Trade Agreement, bringing the deal closer to implementation and creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The agreement, negotiated over 25 years, spans a combined market of over 700 million people and nearly 25% of global GDP. Paraguay’s […]