EU External Trade

News and information about the European Union's trade policy.

EU signals more sustainable trade strategy

The EU Commission set out its future trade strategy Thursday, focusing on an economic recovery that is green and digital, which strengthens multilateralism and reforms global trade rules.

EU stiffens defences against unfair trading

Robust new trade enforcement rules entered into force in the European Union on Monday designed to further strengthen the EU's toolbox in defending itself against unfair trading practices.

Wine and food boost for EU-Japan trade deal on 2nd anniversary

The EU hailed the success of the EU-Japan trade deal on its second anniversary Monday, as it agreed a number of improvements to the agreement in the area of protected foods, wine and vehicle trade.

MEPs give green light to stronger EU powers in trade disputes

The European Parliament adopted Tuesday a set of new rules which will allow the EU to use countermeasures against those who violate trade rules while blocking dispute settlements.

EU steps up WTO complaint over Indonesia steel

The EU on Friday requested the establishment of a WTO panel to seek the elimination of unlawful export restrictions imposed by Indonesia on raw materials necessary for the production of stainless steel.

Draft EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

On 24 December 2020, the European Union and the United Kingdom reached an agreement in principle on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

EU-UK agree historic trade deal

Four and a half years after the 2016 Brexit referendum, the British Government and the EU Commission agreed Thursday a historic trade and security deal as part of the UK's future cooperation with the EU.

EU launches new complaints system to fight trade barriers

The Commission has launched a new complaints system for reporting market access barriers and breaches of Trade and Sustainable Development commitments in the EU's trade agreements.

EU sets human rights controls on 'dual use' exports

The EU institutions agreed Monday new criteria for exporting 'dual use' products and technologies, including cyber-surveillance tools, that can be repurposed in ways which violate human rights.

EU gets WTO green light for tariffs on US exports over Boeing

The WTO's dispute settlement body gave formal authorisation Monday for the EU to increase duties on U.S. exports worth up to $4 billion, in retaliation for illegal subsidies granted to U.S. aircraft maker Boeing.

Helping small businesses trade internationally

The European Commission launched the Access2Markets online portal Tuesday, to help small and medium-sized firms trade beyond the EU’s borders and successfully navigate the world of international trade.

Access2Markets - Exporting from the EU, importing into the EU

Product-by-product information on tariffs & taxes; customs procedures; rules of origin; trade barriers; product requirements; statistics for all EU countries and for more than 120 export markets around the world.

Screening of foreign direct investments

The EU framework for screening of foreign direct investment (FDI) becomes fully operational as of 11 October 2020.

Brussels unveils 'smarter' customs plan

The EU Commission launched a new Customs Union Action Plan Monday, setting out a series of measures to make EU customs 'smarter, more innovative and more efficient' over the next four years.

New Customs Union Action Plan

The European Commission launched on 28 September a new Customs Union Action Plan setting out a series of measures to make EU customs smarter, more innovative and more efficient over the next four years.

EU signs geographical indications deal with China

The EU and China signed a bilateral agreement Monday to protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China and 100 Chinese GIs in the European Union against usurpation and imitation.

Europe needs to be a player, not a playing field, EU tells China

The EU needs a balanced relationship with China, EU president Charles Michel told Chinese president Xi Monday in a summit which underlined differences over human rights, climate and trade issues.

Brussels prepares to implement EU-U.S.tariff cuts

The EU Commission published a proposal Tuesday for a regulation to scrap duties on certain imports from the United States to the EU, with the U.S. in return to reduce duties on certain EU exports to its market.

Rules of origin among Pan-Euro-Mediterranean partners

The European Commission adopted on 24 August a package of proposals that aims to increase trade between the European Union and neighbouring countries in the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) region, thereby contributing to the economic recovery following the coronavirus outbreak.

EU, United States agree trade tariff reductions

United States and EU trade representatives announced Friday agreement on a package of tariff reductions that will increase market access for hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. and EU exports.

EU curbs Cambodia's trade access over human rights

Some of Cambodia's typical export products to the EU, such as garments, footwear and travel goods became subject to EU customs duties as of Wednesday over increased concern about human rights.

Everything But Arms

The Everything But Arms scheme grants full duty free and quota free access to the EU Single Market for all products (except arms and armaments).

EU looks to improve trade & investment relations with China

At a high-level virtual meeting Tuesday, the EU called on China to engage in trade reform and to remove barriers impeding access to the Chinese market for EU exporters and European investors.

EU complies with WTO Airbus rulings, wants US tariffs lifted

The governments of France and Spain agreed with Airbus Friday to modify the terms of a 'repayable launch investment' granted by them for development of the A350 aircraft to reflect market conditions.

Toys continue to top EU list of dangerous products

The EU's latest report on its alert system to prevent the selling of dangerous products, published Tuesday, flagged up a record number of dangerous products in 2019, with toys and cars heading the list.