News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Monday, May 5, 2025
The European Economic and Social Council almost unanimously adopted a resolution yesterday calling on the EU to step up its efforts to give greater weight to labour and environment chapters – known as TSD chapters – in its free trade agreements. This move adds to a rising number of calls on …
Be prepared to run away from Britain, and to run fast. That is, in short, the message the European Commission is sending to non-EU exporters and to UK exporters as part of its ‘Brexit preparedness’ activities with businesses representatives. The commission has been issuing a long list of notices to …
Last Friday, the European Commission sent out to member states and MEPs the second version of draft language on data flows for its coming free trade agreements after lengthy internal wrangling between its services. The text will be examined at technical level in the Council this week. A decision …
It’s been an intense week in EU trade, with Brexit issues and disputes with Washington starting to dominate the picture. Here is what else happened. EU and Mercosur – still talking It’s been another tough week of haggling over the final terms of a long-sought free trade agreement …
In a note released today, the United Kingdom’s government has spelled out in clear terms how it hopes to continue to benefit from international agreements – including free trade deals – signed by the EU during its Brexit transition period. As Britain leaves the EU, international agreements it is …
The UK and the EU are finalising a new round of negotiations towards a withdrawal agreement and a transition period this week. The UK commentariat was up in arms against Brussels’ perceived rigidity and against ‘punishment’ provisions included in its transition-related proposals. But signs suggest the EU is probably not …
Here bits of news from the two pivotal trade capitals outside Brussels on trade: Berlin and Paris. German coalition agreement homes in on fair trade The social democrats of Germany have clearly left their mark on the coming approach to trade policy going forward. That’s what one can …
With a British government not able to live up to the consequences of its decision to leave the EU while having cornered itself with a tight negotiation timetable after triggering Article 50, the current Brexit conundrum seems insoluble. If things continue as they are in Whitehall, Britain could end up …
In an interview with Borderlex, the European Parliament’s international trade committee chief Bernd Lange explains what he hopes to achieve before the European elections next year.
It’s been quite a week for trade in the EU. There’s been movement on the WTO pig spat, in Paris on trade, and on data flows. Here’s what else happened. Mercosur – push, or shove Chief negotiators of the EU-Mercosur negotiations met on Friday and decided to meet …
