News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
This week has been dominated by news and gossip surrounding the nomintion of a successor for the WTO’s outgoing director general. Today, Nigeria announced it was planning to nominate former finance minister and World Bank official Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – a high profile nomination to say the least. The nomination period …
We are looking to a very packed agenda in EU trade this week. First and foremost, today is the day when the EU’s 30–day export restrictions regime for personal protective equipment expiresMonday 25 May. There is little sign yet of an extension – but the day has barely begun. Future …
Turkey pharma case in WTO The European Commission published this week its first legal submission in a dispute it filed against Turkey last year at the World Trade Organization concerning the EU’s neighbour’s restrictive policies in the area of pharmaceuticals. The case ‘Certain Measures concerning the Production, Importation and Marketing …
It’s been quite a week, with the World Trade Organization’s chief resigning on Thursday, adding another twist to the ongoing drama in the world trading system. But other news have been drowned in the process. A selection below. Hogan wants to move fast to replace WTO’s Azevêdo The European Union’s …
The trade policy machinery in Brussels is starting to function again, albeit at slow pace. So welcome back to our Week Ahead series! Trade ministers will convene for a videoconference on Thursday to discuss the implications of COVID-19 for trade and global supply chains. This is their first meeting since …
This week was ‘virtual summit’ week, with a focus on the global coronavirus pandemic and its dramatic economic fallout. G20 leaders gathered virtually on Thursday and European Union heads of government had very long meeting online last night that almost failed. But capitals still managed a joint statement. There were …
This is a coronavirus alert. The European Council is reducing the number of ministerial meetings to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. It was judged that the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) meeting scheduled on Thursday Week Ahead: FAC Trade did not have “pressing issues” to tackle – hence a …
This week’s main meeting in Brussels is one of trade ministers, gathering for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Thursday – coronavirus travel restrictions permitting. This is more of a stock-take meeting than one where big decisions will be taken. On the agenda: Formally approving the EU-Vietnam FTA. After the …
It was quiet in Brussels this week. Winter holidays played a part – the coronavius probably less so. The main focus was the post-Brexit EU UK trade relationship, which we covered quite extensively this week. A European Parliament delegation flew out to Australia to talks trade relations….There are rumours of …
Export Control regulation could be finalised next March The EU’s digital – and other – industries are watching with some anxiety as an overhaul of EU export control rules is showing signs of life. The Croatian presidency finalised a compromise-building process among member states regarding a variety of rules that …
