News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
“France is testing the patience of others to limits” said a member state official in Brussels today. The statement captures the mood in Council as Paris is seen as the last country dragging its feet in the process of authorising the European Commission to initiate trade negotiations with the United …
Member state trade ministers gathered in the Romanian capital Bucharest today to take stock of current European Union trade files. The most pressing issue on the table was the EU-US trade relationship. But capitals also discussed the way forward for the World Trade Organization and other bilateral trade files. Despite …
It’s time for the World Trade Organization to be modernised and strengthened, says WTO chief Roberto Azevêdo, backing calls by French President Emmanuel Macron for an overhaul of global trade rules. Macron told leaders at the annual Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forum yesterday that the world’s biggest …
In a speech at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development today, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the United States administration’s trade policy – warning it without naming it that bilateral trade wars resolve none of the problems created by globalisation. Macron pleaded for reform of the multilateral trading system …
It hasn’t been an easy week for the EU. Just as member state leaders felt they might be nearing a deal with US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross that could spare the EU tariffs on steel and aluminium before a temporary exemption expires next week, the Trump administration initiated an …
A ‘deal’ could be materialising between the Washington and Brussels ahead of the 1 June deadline for US tariffs on steel and aluminium to kick in. It is not yet clear whether all EU member states would approve the arrangements, or if it would hold within the US administration. …
The EU is engaged in a highly contortionist political exercise ahead of an expected final decision by the US administration on whether to make temporary exemptions on import duties on steel and aluminium permanent. Among the exertions is a notification to the WTO today.
It’s been mainly a week of background shuffling on Trump tariffs in the EU. Here some other interesting bits of news of interest to our readers. Macron party takes on Malmström on FTAs Trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström was in Paris on Tuesday doing the rounds on trade policy, …
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 …
Here bits of news from the two pivotal trade capitals outside Brussels on trade: Berlin and Paris. German coalition agreement homes in on fair trade The social democrats of Germany have clearly left their mark on the coming approach to trade policy going forward. That’s what one can …
