The EU and Japan signed their long-awaited economic partnership agreement in Tokyo today. The deal was flanked by announcements that both sides had finalised work to recognise each other’s data privacy regimes – also called ‘adequacy decisions’ – to complement the trade agreement. The moves were well received in policy …
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Section 232: US brings dispute on EU, Chinese ‘rebalancing’ measures to WTO
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 …
EU-China summit: Beijing and Brussels pull together on investment and trade
This is probably a knock-on effect of the United States administration’s recent international policies ranging from Iran to climate change and trade: the EU and China managed for the first time in three years to release a joint statement after their summer annual summit. The 13-page document details areas – …
EU signs China up to WTO reform
The EU is stepping up the pace in bringing forward a World Trade Organization reform agenda announced this spring as the crisis over Appellate Body nominations deepens in Geneva and the world entered the turbulent waters of tit-for-tat trade retaliation in the aftermath of the US decision to impose unilateral …
Week ahead in EU trade: Mercosur, New Zealand, Brexit, China, Japan, Appellate Body
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 …
A Week in Brussels: Trump tariff update, investment screening, Mercosur
It’s been one of those weeks again. On trade: a round of talks with Indonesia, discussions on Mercosur, packed meetings in the European Parliament, Brexit and transatlantic issues all over. The EU Japan EPA’s signature ceremony was postponed to next Tuesday in Tokyo. Below other highlights. Juncker meeting with Donald …
FTAs and digital: EU tables first data-flow text to Indonesia
The European Commission is expected to table its first text on data flows in a bilateral free trade negotiation on Friday. The commission will submit a text to the Indonesian government as part of ongoing trade talks. The move comes even though most EU member states are unhappy with the …
For United States investors, Canada ‘dry’ won’t do for future EU-UK deal
AmChamEU, the association representing US businesses invested in the European Union, is urging Brussels and London to step up their efforts to establish a working future economic relationship after Brexit. The moves comes as Britain prepares to release its long-awaited ‘white paper’ on its future relationship with the bloc. The …
Week ahead in EU trade: INTA, trilogue, Japan, TRQs, China, Indonesia
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 …
Beyond Brussels: As WTO sounds the alarm about protectionism, new US and Chinese tariffs kick in
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 …