China warns France over fast-fashion law targeting online platforms

China warned of possible retaliation over a French law aimed at limiting fast fashion, calling the measure discriminatory and saying it may violate trade rules. The bill was passed by France's parliament late last month and is due to impose per-item fees from September 1. It targets major Asian e-commerce platforms including Shein, Temu and AliExpress. The source described ultra-fast fashion companies as sellers of large volumes of lower-quality clothing at very low prices and said they contribute to pollution from the textile industry, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. An unidentified spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said the French law uses environmental and sustainability standards as a cover for exclusionary measures. The spokesperson said the regulation is suspected of violating the World Trade Organization's non-discrimination principle and amounts to a trade barrier against China. The spokesperson urged France to follow WTO rules and correct what China described as discriminatory practices. The spokesperson also warned that China could take necessary retaliatory measures if the rights and interests of Chinese companies are infringed. The French penalties are due to apply to certain mass-produced textile products from September 1 and increase over time. The law will also ban advertising for mass-produced cheap clothing brands, including advertising by social media influencers. French Trade Minister Serge Papin said last month that Shein, Temu and AliExpress were the main players targeted by the bill and said they were driving the growth of ultra-fast fashion. Some critics in France have said the law spares European and French companies, including Zara and Kiabi. The European Commission has questioned whether the advertising provisions comply with European Union law.