There’s been a little bit of noise this week on EU trade files in relation to Asia. So here a short update.
Japan
Commentary: Italy’s new government risks undermining EU unity on trade and investment
Italy’s new coalition government is pushing a protectionist agenda that puts national sovereignty at the centre and may well set the country on a collision course with Brussels, Berlin and Paris, argues Nicola Casarini. The new government in Rome is promoting ‘Italy First’, a set of policies that may undermine …
EU-Japan deal gets warm welcome, despite sense of unfinished business
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 …
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 …
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 …
US tariffs: EU launches retaliation process but sticks to trilateral pledges
The EU reacted immediately to the Trump administration’s decision to apply tariffs of 25% and 10% on European steel and aluminium today. The bloc filed a trade complaint against the decision and is initiating a process that will lead to ‘rebalancing’ measures announced several weeks ago. In the meantime, trouble …
Japan, US, EU set out action plan on China trade
The EU, the US and Japan agreed a joint action plan aimed at inducing China to cut back its industrial subsidies and to relinquish its restrictive investment and intellectual property policies.
Beyond Brussels: US trade measures, WTO member reactions – where we stand
A lot can happen in just a week – and when it comes to trade, most of what’s happening these days involves the US. This week was no exception, as India complained about American duties on steel and aluminium, and the Trump administration initiated a national security probe into automobile …
FAC trade: low expectations regarding US steel exemption
There’s little that is really new to report on the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held today in Brussels. The EU is not nurturing strong hopes to be exempted from import restrictions from the United States. Australia and New Zealand trade negotiations to begin by July As expected the …
Week ahead in EU trade: FAC trade, China BIT, Brexit, Japan
China and the EU will resume talks on a bilateral investment treaty this week – but don’t count on much news from the discussions. The main stories are likely to come instead from tomorrow’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting, as ministers debate and decide on a range of trade-related issues including …
