The article discusses how the EU's trade policies on textiles and clothing in 2005 reflect a balance between promoting free trade and protecting its industries from global competition. The study specifically looks at a trade dispute between the EU and China during that time to understand the EU's approach to trade. The researchers found that the EU's actions were influenced by the pressures of global trade liberalization, which led to a mix of trade liberalization and protectionist measures being adopted to navigate the complex trade environment.