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Portuguese companies Brito Knitting, Magma Têxtil, Balutextil, Fiorima and Soeiro took part in Première Vision New York on July 15–16, under the umbrella of the Sustainable Textile & Apparel From PORTUGAL project, promoted by ATP – the Portuguese Textile and Clothing Association.
Despite uncertainties surrounding the potential imposition of tariffs on European imports into the U.S. and an unstable international political climate, the Portuguese textile sector once again positioned itself as a reliable and innovative partner, with an offer strongly rooted in sustainability and quality.
For Magma Têxtil, the show was another opportunity to showcase its “high-quality circular fabrics produced sustainably” to the international market. The company noted that “overall attendance was slightly lower than in the previous edition — probably due to the current political climate and the possibility of tariffs on European imports” — but highlighted that “key clients visited our booth and selected our fabrics for their upcoming collections.”
Aware of the potential challenges ahead, Magma added: “We are fully aware that, if these trade measures move forward, many clients may choose to source exclusively in the United States. Even so, we chose to participate because we believe in the strength of long-term relationships and in the value of maintaining a presence in a market that remains strategic for our business and aligned with our values.”
Brito Knitting also valued the opportunity to present its latest collections, where environmental commitment is expressed through the use of raw materials such as “organic cotton, recycled fibers and other eco-friendly blends (EcoVero viscose, hemp, lyocell, bamboo, merino wool, Seacell™️, Smartcell™️ and Good Earth Cotton®).”
“For us, sustainability is much more than a trend — it is a core value,” the company told T Jornal, stressing its commitment to transparent communication with clear labeling and informative materials. While the number of visitors was below expectations, Brito Knitting emphasized that “the interactions we had were promising” and reaffirmed an “optimistic outlook on the long-term potential of the North American market.”
For Soeiro, the outcome was particularly positive: “The flow of visitors over the two days exceeded our expectations, confirming the growing international interest in our products and reinforcing the importance of this presence within our internationalization strategy.”
The company also highlighted PV New York as “an essential showcase to present not only the quality and innovation of our offer, but also to communicate our strong commitment to sustainability.” Acknowledging that tariffs “remained a sensitive issue with moderate impact felt throughout the fair,” Soeiro confirmed preparations for the upcoming PV Paris in September, with the goal of “strengthening relationships, exploring new opportunities and giving visibility to what drives us: quality, innovation and responsibility.”
In a challenging environment marked by potential shifts in trade policies between the EU and the U.S., Portuguese participation at PV New York reinforced the image of a sector that is prepared, resilient and aligned with the demands of the future.