News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Member states adopted ‘in principle’ their draft conclusions on what the European Commission terms the “new architecture” of trade agreements. Following the near collapse of CETA, the trade agreement with Canada, and the Court of Justice of the EU’s May 2017 ruling on a free trade accord with Singapore, the …
The EU and Oceania are edging towards an economic rapprochement. Long-awaited free trade agreement talks between the EU and Australia and New Zealand are expected to receive the green light from member states next month. The move comes as the two Oceanian countries seek to diversify their security ties …
EU free trade negotiations, ratifications and mandate releases have been on the slow lane recently compared to other trade policy files, as President Donald Trump and Brexit grab headlines and policymakers’ attention. Here’s an overview of where we are on the various files. Mercosur EU-Mercosur FTA negotiations are …
This week was truly packed with activities and events related to trade. The key focus has been Brexit – the transition period and future EU-UK relationship. These topics we now cover separately in dedicated articles and a new series of blogs, the Brexit Notes. The other key focus this week …
France’s stance on trade policy under President Emmanuel Macron has puzzled many. Yet Macron’s pragmatist logic is now starting to become clearer as his government finds its ground on the trade politics front back home and US President Donald Trump forces Paris to stay focused on the strategic dimension of …
As the date of Brexit approaches, Britain and various European Union trading partners are multiplying contacts with London to gauge what their future trade relationship will be once the UK leaves the bloc. As conversations with these countries deepen, the task appears increasingly complex. Current contacts with Australia and Switzerland reveal …
The European Parliament gave its assent to and set its requirements for the launch and conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. MEPs 452 voted in favour of the Australian agreement (126 against and 25 abstentions). New Zealand found less supporters, with 440 MEPs voting …
This week is no week of big gathering or events, but the trade policy churn in Brussels – and also in Geneva – is continuing unabated. The WTO will be holding working party and committee meetings on dispute settlement (today Monday 23 October 2017), on subsidies and countervailing measures …
Trade MEPs adopted two similar resolutions on free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand on Thursday (12 October 2017) in Brussels. The move comes as the EU Commission awaits a formal mandate from the member states to launch these negotiations. The two agreements will be negotiated separately. …
In line with announcements made by president Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday (13 September 2017) in Strasbourg, the Commission released the draft mandate it is requesting from member states to negotiate free trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand.
