News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Thursday, May 8, 2025
The policy machinery in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on EU steel and aluminium is churning as planned. The College of Commissioners approved the final list of products on which it will apply duties on US imports as part of a retaliatory move to counter the metals levies. …
There’s only one big event on the Brussels trade agenda this week – another negotiating round with Mercosur – but that doesn’t mean the coming days will be quiet. Between the start of US tariffs on European steel and aluminium, the EU’s decision to respond with a World Trade Organization …
The EU reacted immediately to the Trump administration’s decision to apply tariffs of 25% and 10% on European steel and aluminium today. The bloc filed a trade complaint against the decision and is initiating a process that will lead to ‘rebalancing’ measures announced several weeks ago. In the meantime, trouble …
Today the EU launched legal proceedings in the against Chinese forced technology tranfsers. More from us soon.
The US has upped the ante in its war of words with the EU over illegal aid for domestic airplane manufacturers, accusing the bloc of not being serious about complying with a World Trade Organization ruling that faulted European subsidies to Airbus. Specifically, Washington was offended that the EU …
The EU is set to act on pledges it has made over the last few weeks ahead of the imposition of US tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium adopted on national security grounds. “Now that we have clarity, the EU’s response will be proportionate and in …
The EU, the US and Japan agreed a joint action plan aimed at inducing China to cut back its industrial subsidies and to relinquish its restrictive investment and intellectual property policies.
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 …
The European Parliament wants to enact legislation on the screening of foreign takeovers swiftly, before EU institutions shut down in the early months of next year ahead of European elections. This is why the committee on international trade voted for anticipated inter-institutional – or ‘trilogue’ – negotiations with the Council …
