As the EU prepares to wrap up its trade defence reforms in the aftermath of China’s expected treatment as a market economy in antidumping cases, Euratex, the main European textile industry association has flagged a few risks taken by the Commission in its TDI overhaul. Euratex is generally sceptical …
EU FTAs & bilateral ties
German constitutional court refuses to block CETA provisional application
Blocking the ratification process of CETA would be highly damaging to the EU’s international standing, Germany’s top judges believe. The ratification process of CETA, the EU-Canadian trade pact, is in full swing, as the European Parliament prepares to sign off on the agreement in the coming weeks. CETA is expected …
EU still seeking Japan ‘operational safety clause’ concession in railway procurement
The EU and Japan are seeking to restart FTA negotiations this month, after end-of-year consultations last December led negotiators to conclude that the time was not ripe for the sealing of a deal that has been under negotiation since 2013. Among the various matters outstanding is public procurement. Since the very beginning, …
New Zealanders worry about FTA prospects with EU
The New Zealand government will be the first present in Brussels as trade policy activity slowly picks up after the Christmas break. Prime Minister Bill English will meet EU leaders. Trade minister Todd McClay will be accompanying him too and pay a specific visit to trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström on Tuesday …
Analysis : The EU’s 2017 trade challenges
In 2017, trade policy in the EU will most likely be about salvaging what can be salvaged and preparing the ground for better political times in future, writes Iana Dreyer.
Advocate General says BITs with Singapore can only be terminated by member states
The EU Singapore FTA is the first practical test case for the termination of bilateral investment treaties signed by the European countries before 2009 – the year of entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. Twelve member states have BITs in place with Singapore. These treaties cover investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement. …
Commission to request mandate for EU Turkey customs union modernisation
The Commission has decided to move ahead with a long-sizzling project to launch negotiations towards the modernisation of the 1995 customs union with Turkey. The move is largely a way to keep up relationships with Turkey as its recently restarted EU accession processed stalled again, not least after German Chancellor …
EU Singapore FTA is a mixed agreement, says ECJ Advocate General
In an opinion issued ahead of an expected Court of Justice ruling regarding the competences accruing to the EU and the member states respectively as to the EU Singapore free trade agreement, a pact concluded in 2013, the Advocate General has confirmed that the deal covers issues that are both …
ECJ upholds EU Morocco trade agreement in appeal ruling
The Court of Justice of the EU supported the Council in its appeal to a December 2015 tribunal ruling that annulled a 2012 trade agreement between the EU and Morocco liberalising trade in agriculture and fisheries. The case was brought by the Polisario Front and brought forward the risk of …
In brief: Ukraine Association Agreement now on track for ratification
A bill submitted to the Dutch Parliament by Mark Rutte greenlighting the Dutch government’s ratification of the EU Ukraine Association Agreement is likely to pass the final hurdle in the upper house, sources say. The deal faced uncertainty after a compromise declaration adopted by EU member state in 15 December. The Christian Democratic …
