Developments in EU trade policy this week by Iana Dreyer and Chris Horseman.
Author: Iana Dreyer
MEPs to keep China, Vietnam investment and trade agreements under human rights watch
The European Parliament released a series of motions for resolutions on human rights in foreign countries this week. Two could have direct consequences for existing EU investment and trade agreements if MEPs consider that the human rights situation in the relevant countries is deteriorating. China investment deal ratification tied to …
Craig: US trade policy direction will be set by early Biden moves
Think tank R Street Associate Fellow Halie Craig in conversation with Borderlex on the potential direction of United States trade policy under Joe Biden – and what it could mean for future cooperation with the EU.
Weyand to US: let’s work together on labour rights
The European Commissions director-general for trade Sabine Weyand also hopes to unlock a dialogue with the United States over the Appellate Body in the WTO by promising proposals on ‘judicial economy’ in February.
WTO Corner: EU vs Indonesia, Hong Kong vs US, Costa Rica vs Panama, services
The only thing that is certain in this beginning of the year at the World Trade Organization – a body that is yet awaiting the nomination of its next director-general – is that many members disagree. So they file legal disputes.
Week in Brussels: MEP scrutiny of EU-UK TCA, carbon border measure, Korean surimi
EU UK TCA: European Parliament wants more scrutiny powers and more time European Parliament committees scrutinised the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement this week. The series of meetings culminated in a joint meeting of the foreign affairs and international trade committee on Thursday. This kick-starts a formalised consent procedure involving …
In 2021, the EU will need to focus on positive engagement with its trading partners
The brand-new EU-UK trade agreement in many ways epitomises a defensive turn in EU trade policy in a world where its geostrategic certainties – not least the comfort of the US security umbrella – have been shaken and the global pandemic exposed its vulnerabilities. But turning defensive is not enough. …
Week in Brussels: China deal furore, US suspends French digital tax duties, chides Italian taxes
This has been overall quiet and very cold week on the Brussels trade beat. Trade negotiators appear to have taken a bit of a breather after their Christmas break was upended due to historic trade and investment agreements with the United Kingdom and China being concluded at the very last …
EU, China announce investment deal
The European Union and China concluded ‘in principle’ a ‘Comprehensive Agreement on Investment’ one day before New Year’s Eve 2020.
UK, Turkey switch from customs union to free trade agreement
This was the last major ‘trade continuity’ deal for the Department of International trade to conclude as the end of the United Kingdom’s transition period with the European Union loomed. Ankara was waiting for the EU and UK to conclude their future relationship deal to put its signature under a …
