News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Friday, May 9, 2025
Japan may follow China by striking back against US steel and aluminium tariffs to the tune of $409 million, signalling that Tokyo is tired of trying to win an exemption from the levies through diplomacy. But the fact that Japan is weighing retaliation doesn’t mean it will actually act on …
The EU has offered to negotiate a trade agreement with the US in return for a permanent exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs. But chances of success are limited. What is more, the EU-US row over the tariffs is becoming the lesser problem in the wider transatlantic relationship, writes Iana …
There have been a few developments and clarifications on the variety of bilateral free trade agreements under way in the EU in recent days. So here are some updates on where things stand with Mexico, Singapore, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. EU-Mexico ‘agreement in principle’ – next steps …
European antisubsidy duties on a Pakistani plastics ingredient that expired three years ago breach global trade rules, the World Trade Organization’s Appellate Body said today, upholding a previous ruling. The fact that the tariffs have lapsed means no action is required by either Islamabad or Brussels. But appeals judges’ …
The EU has failed to scrap all illegal subsidies for aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the World Trade Organization’s Appellate Body ruled today, meaning the US has grounds to strike back at European exports. But before that happens, the EU intends to take “swift action to ensure it is fully in line with …
Two events will happen in Brussels this week that merit close attention: the European Parliament’s international trade committee will discuss a range of headline-worthy issues during its two-day meeting and the Working Party on Trade Questions will discuss investment screening. The churn on Article 50 negotiations between the EU27 and …
The trade week in Brussels was relatively quiet, with many professionals away due to holidays. The trade policy churn nonetheless continued, with COREPER and the Trade Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday instead of their standard Wednesday, when all institutions closed for Europe Day. Member states examined the Australia and …
The World Trade Organization’s General Council meeting on Wednesday highlighted the deepening rift between the US and other members over steel, intellectual property and Appellate Body nominations. There seems to be no way out of the crisis for now.
Member states adopted ‘in principle’ their draft conclusions on what the European Commission terms the “new architecture” of trade agreements. Following the near collapse of CETA, the trade agreement with Canada, and the Court of Justice of the EU’s May 2017 ruling on a free trade accord with Singapore, the …
The World Trade Organization’s Appellate Body will decide within a week whether the EU has complied with a ruling that faulted the bloc for giving illegal subsidies to Airbus. If appeals judges agree with the US that the handouts haven’t been removed, Washington will be able to retaliate on European …
