The CETA ratification saga continues unfolding. There’s been a stir since Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced on Wednesday that the Commission would put the Canada EU trade deal CETA to the member states next week with the suggestion that it is a deal that falls under the exclusive competence of …
Author: Iana Dreyer
In brief: EU and China holding BIT negotiation round
EU-China bilateral investment treaty negotiations for some reason appear to happen under the general media radar… The Commission wants to achieve market openings and investment protection provisions with China. The talks held so far since 2014 have advanced slowly, and no proper discussions on concrete market liberalisations nor on investment …
Opinion: Let the British leave the EU – but do not throw them out
After the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the EU, Brussels and member states should plan a clean British exit from the bloc, instead of trying to rush it, argues Christopher Fjellner.
EU Turkey customs union : Commission hopes for mandate on upgrade in late 2016
The process leading up to the formal launch of the planned negotiations to modernise the EU-Turkey customs union is taking shape, Cecilia Mallström told the Parliament’s trade committee today. “We have high ambitions”, Malmström said. “The goal is to have services, procurement – for the first time – and go …
Berlin consternation in face of CETA national parliament bypass push
EU Commission President Juncker weighed in: the Commission sees CETA, the trade deal with Canada, as falling under “exclusive” EU competence and thus not requiring ratification by national parliaments. This is causing consternation in Berlin, though there are differences in point of view between Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU party and …
Brexit could tilt political power balance in TDI reform and China MES – experts
The UK will likely stay out of major decisions in trade policy before it even formally leaves the EU. This will affect major files including the hot China market economy status issue. The UK is still a member of the EU and will formally have the right to participate …
Brexit: French-German business calls for end of UK financial services passport– EU show of unity
EU leaders in government and business are seeking a common view on how to handle the EU’s negotiations with the United Kingdom on its planned exit from the EU following the country’s referendum on the issue on Thursday (23 June). Business groups are adamant that the UK should be …
Brexit: Commission in drive to stick to business as usual on trade agreements
The Commission has vowed to stick to its current trade policy plans despite the challenge to its unity and to its resources posed by the pending withdrawal of Britain from the EU. In a defiant statement on Monday, trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström responded to questions about whether the United …
EU agri-food sector alarmed by Brexit decision
Will New Zealanders and Aussies obtain better access to the British market than French wine producers in a few year’s time if Britain seals its own deals with these countries? Or will the absence of the powerful spirits lobby in Brussels weaken Brussels’ hand in future trade negotiations in emerging …
Chances of TTIP conclusion this year waning as France pulls brakes
The outcome of the United Kingdom referendum of 23 June 2016 on its relationship with the EU is clear: priority is now to sort out the situation, and not finalising the flagship transatlantic trade deal TTIP currently under negotiations on both sides of the Atlantic. Brexit also means the French are ready …
