News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Friday, April 25, 2025
The European Commission recently released minutes of bilateral meetings held under the EU Vietnam free trade agreement and the EU Singapore free trade agreements last July. The delayed publication is due to the fact that minutes needed to be agreed by both parties. Here is what these minutes reveal.
Due to the All Saints holiday, activity has been fairly subdued on the trade beat in Brussels. Such holiday weeks are generally a good opportunity for leaders to travel. European Commission executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis has been touring Asia, whereas the international trade committee of the European Parliament was in …
European Parliament sets up new UK Contact Group; EU Vietnam civil society dialogue postponed until further notice; France, Germany and Netherlands want even tougher rules on company takeovers by digital platforms.
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 …
Today EU member states gave their final assent to the EU Vietnam free trade agreement – the move was delayed by a few weeks due to the disturbances in the EU meeting calendar brought by the COVID-19 situation. The flagship trade pact with the South East Asian emerging market is …
It should have been a formality. The EU Vietnam free trade agreement was due to be adopted at a meeting of trade ministers that was cancelled last week. This move followed on a decision by the Council not to hold ‘non essential’ Council meetings in Brussels in order to contain …
This week was mainly about the EU getting back into business mode. The main focus has been on preparing the ground for trade negotiations starting next month with the United Kingdom and managing transatlantic relations. More below. Commissioner Breton toys with idea of a data localisation obligations for business data …
It’s been en eventful week, with the Appellate Body disappearing and the English (and Welsh) voting to “get Brexit done”. Here are other bits of news of potential interest for EU trade. Council Conclusions: green trade ok but at low cost and with level playing field Heads of government are …
The arrest of a Saigon-based trade agreement critic and independent journalist complicates the European Parliament’s final preparations to ratify a landmark trade agrement and an accompanying investment protection accord with Vietnam.
Yes, we all know, this was transatlantic week and Airbus week. It was also Phil Hogan week. It was also international trade committee week – with MEPs discussing the US-EU beef quota and the ongoing EU-Australia negotiations. Below other interesting news. Parliament gears up for EU Vietnam FTA and IPA ratification …
