Finance
French Minister: 2026 will be year of resistance against Shein
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 5, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Summary
French Minister Serge Papin declares 2026 as the year of resistance against Shein, aiming to hold online platforms accountable for their products.
French Minister Declares 2026 as Year of Resistance Against Shein
Government's Stance on Online Retail
PARIS, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Serge Papin, the French Minister for small and medium sized businesses, said on Thursday that 2026 will be the year of resistance against Shein and other on-line platforms which he accused of not being accountable for the products they sell.
Responsibility of Physical Stores
He told TV station TF1 that physical stores are responsible for the goods they sell, while online platforms are not.
Legal Actions Against Shein
The government has appealed against a December court ruling rejecting a three-month suspension of Shein as part of a crackdown against the Chinese E-commerce platform, after an uproar over childlike sex dolls sold on its marketplace.
Proposed Legislative Changes
Papin said two lawmakers are preparing a bill that would allow the government to suspend online platforms without the need of a court approval.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
Key Takeaways
- •French Minister Serge Papin targets Shein in 2026.
- •Focus on accountability of online platforms.
- •Government challenges court ruling on Shein.
- •Proposed bill to suspend platforms without court approval.
- •Physical stores held accountable for their products.
Frequently Asked Questions about French Minister: 2026 will be year of resistance against Shein
1What is e-commerce?
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. It includes various online transactions and business models, such as retail, wholesale, and marketplaces.
2What is consumer protection?
Consumer protection is a set of laws and regulations designed to ensure the rights of consumers are upheld, preventing unfair practices and promoting fair trade, competition, and accurate information in the marketplace.
3What is legislation?
Legislation refers to laws that are enacted by a governing body. It includes statutes, regulations, and ordinances that govern various aspects of society, including business practices and consumer rights.
4What is retail trade?
Retail trade involves the sale of goods and services directly to consumers. It encompasses various formats, including physical stores and online retail, where products are sold to end-users.
