Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the Dutch parliament’s lower house that he didn’t think it very likely that the Netherlands would ratify the EU Ukraine Association agreement. So, is this the end of the deal? Not quite yet: negotiations with the EU and Ukraine have only recently begun. Should the Dutch follow through …
EU FTAs & bilateral ties
Next steps after Bratislava trade ministers meeting
European Parliament prepares to ease imports of Uzbek cotton and textiles
The European Parliament is moving to endorse a 2011 EU Uzbekistan textiles agreement it had previously rejected. Uzbekistan came under fire for engaging in child labour and forced labour in its cotton and fabrics industry. But reported progress on that front and an EU desire to deepen its footprint in Central Asia have contributed …
French business says stopping TTIP talks would be “an act of extreme gravity”
Twelve French business federations have called for continuation of TTIP negotiations ahead of a crucial trade ministers meeting held in Bratislava, Slovakia, today. The move comes in reaction to declarations by French secretary of state in charge of trade, Matthias Fekl, that he would request a halt to the negotiations, and for a …
Bratislava trade meeting: no major decision expected on dumping and China MES
The key priority of trade ministers gathering at Bratislava on Friday (23 September) will be to garner sufficient support from member states to authorise the signature of CETA next month at a bilateral EU-Canada summit.
Top EU farm group calls for conclusion of CETA, TTIP, EU Japan FTA
The EU’s biggest farm group Copa Cogeca is getting nervous about the prospects of key proposed EU trade agreements: CETA, TTIP and the EU-Japan FTA. “We need to find more new export outlets so that we are not totally dependent on the Chinese market”, Martin Merrild, the president of Copa …
Photo of the day
Sign left by the roadside by anti trade agreement demonstrators in Brussels on 20 September 2016. Photo taken on Avenue de la Loi, Brussels (21/09/2016).
CETA: Business accuses Commission of not protecting treaties ahead of rocky member state endorsement process
On Thursday and Friday (22 & 23 September), EU trade ministers are set to decide whether to endorse CETA, and on the next steps for its ratification. Business is highly nervous about the prospects the Canadian trade deal awaiting signature and ratification. It is also highly dissatisfied about the Commission’s decision to declare it …
Business group anticipates TTIP negotiation halt in 2017
EU leaders are getting prepared for a halt to TTIP negotiations in 2017.
EU Japan FTA: business groups criticise slow pace of talks, textiles make proposals
Business groups are mobilising for the EU Japan agreement under negotiation since 2013 (updated on 21.09 16:18). The EU and Japan are preparing for a seventeenth round of trade negotiations late September. Though political leaders on both sides have called on the negotiators to conclude an agreement by the end of …
