US president-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take the reins of power on 20 January 2017, has told Germany’s top tabloid newspaper Bild Zeitung, that BMW, one of Germany’s top carmakers, would face a 35 percent import duty on 3 Series sedans it is planning to start building in San …
EU trade policies
Transatlantic : EU and US make last trade gestures before Obama administration folds
An era of uncertainty opens in transatlantic relations, as in exactly one week President Obama (20 January 2017) will hand over the reins of power to Donald Trump. The US administration will focus on settling into working mode and not enter major trade negotiations for several months at least. US trade policy is also expected …
Trade defence : Textile group flags uncertainty created by planned new rules – in brief
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 …
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, …
Comment: Why China, US, EU should revive EGA talks in 2017
The world trading system and climate policies need EGA to succeed. Why waste another year to conclude the environmental goods pact in the WTO? Front-row EGA observer Peter Brun on what happened and what comes next for the supposedly easy pact that stumbled last December 2016. More than a month …
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 …
Wolf in sheep’s clothing: Britain wakes up to Brexit farming conundrum
From farm subsidies to New Zealand lamb imports to livestock trade at the Irish border: the process of untangling Britain’s agriculture sector from the EU’s trade policy regime will start early in the Brexit process and face daunting challenges, writes Iana Dreyer. Trade policy cognoscenti were aware farming issues would be among …
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. …
