News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Washington has hit back at five World Trade Organization members for “illegal” tariffs that were imposed on US products in response to the Trump administration’s decision to apply duties on foreign steel and aluminium. The US announcement today that it had filed five complaints targeting the EU, China, Canada, Mexico and …
This is a week of summits and negotiations: the EU will start talks with New Zealand, continue discussions with Mercosur and hold high-level meetings with China and Japan (delayed from last week). And toward the end of the week, when the World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body meets, we might …
The next two weeks are notable for all the rounds of trade negotiations: the EU will hold talks with China and Indonesia this week and then with Mercosur and New Zealand next week. In between, EU and Japanese officials will sign their economic partnership and strategic partnership agreements. But perhaps …
US tariffs on Chinese goods kicked in today. So did Chinese duties on US products. Chalk up at least another two trade restrictions that will be added to the World Trade Organization’s next semi-annual listing of barriers erected by Group of 20 economies. Earlier this week, the WTO issued …
The EU joined more than a dozen World Trade Organization members in denouncing the Trump administration’s threat to impose import duties on vehicles and car parts, saying such a move would seriously disrupt the world market and harm global commerce. Japan also suggested that such tariffs – which the …
This is one of those weeks when it looks like little is happening on the European trade agenda. Don’t be fooled, it’s not time to go fishing – especially in light of the EU’s warning that US tariffs on foreign cars could lead to global retaliation against up to $300 …
Australia’s landmark win over Big Tobacco at the World Trade Organization paves the way for other countries to roll out similar laws requiring plain packaging for cigarettes and cigars. Yesterday’s ruling could also have implications for alcohol, sugary drinks and junk food packaging. WTO judges concluded in an 800-page …
European companies exported an additional €4.8 billion in goods and services last year thanks to the removal of a record number of trade barriers, the European Commission says. But EU exporters noted a dramatic increase in protectionism in 2017, as trade partners including China, Russia and South Africa created more …
The year-long stalemate over the process to appoint Appellate Body members is debilitating the World Trade Organization’s top court and may eventually lead to a paralysis that would have “profound implications” on panel proceedings as well, says Appellate Body Chairman Ujal Singh Bhatia.
The calendar is a bit thin this week, though some news could come out of the two-day European Council meeting about WTO reform and Brexit. And it’s anyone’s guess what we might expect from the US and its unpredictable leader after China’s central bank said yesterday that it would unlock …
