China blasts France's 'discriminatory' fast-fashion law
China has urged France to scrap a new law imposing fees of up to nearly €20 per garment on fast-fashion retailers, calling it clearly discriminatory. The measure primarily targets Asian platforms Shein and Temu.
China issued sharp criticism on Thursday of France's newly adopted law targeting the ultra-fast fashion industry, describing the measure as "clearly discriminatory" and calling on Paris to withdraw it.
At the center of the dispute is a French law that introduces a fee of up to nearly €20 on each garment sold by fast-fashion retailers. The charge is set to primarily affect major Asian e-commerce platforms, including Shein and Temu, which have rapidly expanded their presence in the European market in recent years.
Environmental and economic rationale
French authorities have justified the law as a way to curb the environmental damage caused by the ultra-fast fashion sector, as well as to protect local textile manufacturers and retailers from being undercut by cheap, mass-produced goods. Such platforms have faced criticism for driving overproduction, generating large volumes of textile waste, and pressuring domestic producers unable to match their low prices.
Beijing's response
China, however, argues the law unfairly singles out Asian companies, creating an uneven playing field in international trade. Beijing has called on the French government to reconsider the decision, though it remains unclear whether France intends to amend or repeal the measure.
The dispute highlights broader tensions between the European Union and China over cheap imports and their impact on domestic industries.
