126 House Democrats are urging President Biden to close a loophole allowing millions of unchecked packages into the U.S. daily, often carrying dangerous items like fentanyl. The rule helps e-commerce avoid taxes and safety checks, putting workers and public health at risk.

US lifestyle fashion brand Faherty Brand has partnered with Swedish circular material company Circulose (formerly Renewcell) on a new collection made entirely from textile waste.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has launched the ‘VisioNxt Fashion Forecasting Initiative’, a bilingual web portal and the India-specific fashion trend book ‘Paridhi 24x25’.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating Shein and Temu to ensure they comply with the Consumer Product Safety Act, focusing on safety risks of inexpensive, imported goods. The CPSC is especially concerned about the safety of baby and toddler products sold on these platforms and the difficulties in enforcing compliance with foreign sellers. Lawmakers are also looking at the platforms' use of the de minimis trade provision, which allows for the daily shipment of 600,000 parcels, and are proposing reforms to tighten import requirements and address illicit goods.

More than half of consumers (54%) now link traceability with the fashion industry, indicating a rising demand for transparency. Major brands like Levi's and Ralph Lauren are committing to full traceability and sustainability, aiming to source 100% sustainable materials by 2025. Consumers are urging brands to provide real-time evidence of the production process, not just documentation, to better understand the environmental impact of their purchases.

In July 2024, the US trade deficit widened to $78.8 billion, up $5.8 billion from June, due to a surge in imports exceeding modest export growth. Exports increased by $1.3 billion to $266.6 billion, while imports rose by $7.1 billion to $345.4 billion. The goods trade gap grew by $5.6 billion to $103.1 billion, and the services surplus slightly declined by $0.2 billion to $24.3 billion. Year-to-date, the trade deficit has increased by 7.7%, reflecting strong demand for foreign goods.

The US economy is approaching a 'soft landing' as inflation moves closer to the Federal Reserve's target, with expected interest rate cuts easing recession fears. GDP growth was revised up to 3%, and consumer spending showed resilience at 2.9% growth, indicating economic strength. Lower interest rates are anticipated to benefit households and small businesses by reducing borrowing costs, supporting consumer spending, and stabilizing the housing market.

Australian wool auctions saw slight price increases, especially for finer Merino wool, due to favorable exchange rates. The Australian dollar dropped against the US dollar and the Chinese yuan, benefiting both local and Chinese buyers. The largest Chinese buyer acquired 20% of the Merino fleece, with local trading companies securing over 10% of sales. Despite only 30,000 bales being offered, exporters capitalized on the currency shift, though demand wasn't strong enough for major price increases. An estimated 32,000 bales are expected at next week’s auction.

Westlake Global Compounds and Houston Methodist have started "Choose Pink," a pioneering PVC recycling program. This initiative collects medical PVC items like nasal cannulas and oxygen tubing from outpatient procedures. The recycled PVC will be used to make consumer products such as exercise mats and dock edging, helping reduce landfill waste and the hospital's carbon footprint. This makes Houston Methodist the first healthcare facility in Houston to adopt PVC recycling, enhancing sustainability efforts in the medical sector.

For the 2024-25 season, US Upland cotton sales hit 207,500 bales, with major buyers including Pakistan, India, Turkiye, Costa Rica, and Vietnam. Sales for the 2025-26 season were 8,400 bales, mainly to Mexico and Costa Rica. Exports totaled 164,100 bales, primarily to China, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Pima cotton sales reached 10,100 bales, with most going to India, Egypt, China, and Bangladesh.

Dondup has teamed up with Bluesign for its Denim Initiative, aiming to set new standards in sustainable denim production. This partnership focuses on clean chemistry and responsible practices across the supply chain, enhancing transparency and accountability in fashion.

Vietnam's manufacturing growth slowed in August with a PMI of 52.4, down from 54.7 in July. Despite the slowdown, output and new orders continued to expand. The sector experienced its first employment dip in three months but remains optimistic about future demand.