About: EU trade

Time to put the European Green Deal at the heart of trade policy

Trade Commissioner nominee Valdis Dombrovskis faces a packed in-tray. The EU's trade policy needs a complete overhaul in order to be adapted to the EU’s new sustainability goals and to harness globalization, write Anna Cavazzini and Saskia Bricmont.  

After a week in Hanoi: What we need to make a EU-Vietnam trade deal work

The jury is out on whether a new EU-Vietnam trade pact will do anything to improve people's livelihoods and arrest a deteriorating human rights record, writes Jude Kirton-Darling.

Fair enough? The EU’s guilty neglect of fair trade

EU policy makers need to stop conflating free trade with fair trade and instead promote trade deals and radical trade reforms that will genuinely deliver trade justice, write Jan Orbie and Deborah Martens.

From ‘liberalise and patronise’ to a genuine sustainable trade strategy for the EU

The next European Commission must revamp its trade policy for the next five years to focus on sustainability, writes Jude Kirton-Darling.

Romanian exporters face an artificial barrier, costs transferred to EU citizens

Visions of trucks being stuck at the border in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit should also remind people of the delays faced by Romanian companies exporting into the Schengen area, writes Stefan Radu-Oprea.

EXCLUSIVE: Leaked memo reveals China’s detailed plans in Italy

China plans to cooperate with Italy in the development of “roads, railways, bridges, civil aviation, ports, energy, and telecommunications” as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, a confidential 'memorandum of understanding' obtained exclusively by EURACTIV reveals.

‘EU’s best asset’ needs to be safeguarded, not only improved

While celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Single Market last year, the Commission called it 'Europe’s best asset in a changing world'. But Single Market’s resilience to internal and external shocks still needs to be strengthened further.

Brexit panic reaches across the Channel to France

The French have finally realised that there may well be a no-deal Brexit. The Medef employers’ federation has said that French businesses are not prepared, the agricultural sector is waiting, while transporters are panicking. EURACTIV France reports.

No clarity on post-Brexit trade, concedes UK trade minister

Will the EU’s trade deals with countries around the world continue to apply in the UK after Brexit day on 29 March? The answer remains unclear after International Trade Secretary Liam Fox repeatedly was unable to confirm what their status will be.

EU-Swiss talks hit impasse, causing Brexit confusion

Talks between Brussels and Berne have been running since 2014 in a bid to formalise the 120 separate accords that have been negotiated between the EU and Switzerland since a 1992 referendum in the Alpine state rejected joining the European Economic Area. But the draft agreement, which was made public in early December, now seems unlikely to become reality.

Five things to expect from the EU summit on June 28-29

European Union leaders meet this week to deal with some of the most difficult issues they confront, with migration topping the list. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s political survival may depend on Italy’s new anti-establishment government, whose interests clash with Germany’s...

EU dilemma on Morocco-Western Sahara conflict remains unsolved

Morocco is the EU’s most stable trading partner in North Africa and a reliable ally in Brussels’ efforts to control African migration across the Mediterranean. But two rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) have revived political tensions in the region and complicated things for the Commission.

The EU had a great plan for Jordan – now it’s time to make it work

In order to help Syrian refugees, the EU must improve its deal with Jordan and deliver on its promise to boost Jordanian exports and refugee hiring, write Gideon Maltz & Cindy Huang.

The bigger EU problems hidden by Brexit

Brexit's focus on minutiae is an unnecessary distraction from the more pressing challenges Europe must meet. Unity is crucial to Europe's security and well-being, writes Giles Merritt.

ASEAN countries unconvinced by EU trade pact

South East Asian countries are dragging their feet on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, with officials saying that the countries still need to be convinced of the benefits of the region-to-region deal.

Lost trade will nullify Brexit dividend, UK government admits

A free trade agreement with the EU would still cost the UK 4.8% of its expected economic growth over the next 15 years, according to a confidential government ‘EU exit analysis’ published on Thursday (8 March).

Trade expert: Jersey holds the key to unlock Brexit dilemma

Could the Channel Islands hold the key to unlocking the Brexit puzzle? Trade expert Sam Lowe of the Centre for European Reform tells EURACTIV that Jersey's 'strange relationship' with the EU could be an acceptable 'half-way house'.

Indian PM launches charm offensive in Davos

After last year’s push from China to champion itself as the saviour of globalisation and lure international investors, this year it was the turn of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to slam protectionism and showcase a 'new India' to global chief executives gathered in Davos.

EU trade in 2018: A preview

The year 2018 will offer a very narrow window of opportunity to bring key EU trade policy files forward.

Mercosur free trade deal could fail yet again

The risk that the EU-Mercosur trade talks get derailed yet again is high, writes Iana Dreyer, spelling out the warning signs.

US protectionism is bad for everyone, especially for America itself

Since the election of Donald Trump, US trade policy is threatening to become more and more protectionist and this could be a wake-up call for Europe to strengthen its single market and stabilise the European Union,  writes Thieß Petersen.

Juncker’s trade push starts with Australia, New Zealand

As anticipated in recent weeks, trade topped the Juncker Commission’s priorities for the rest of its mandate.

UK finance sector fights to preserve ‘passporting’ rights

The UK's financial sector is seeking an "ambitious" trade pact between Britain and the EU to try to prevent a costly shift of jobs and business to the continent once the country leaves the bloc, according to a draft report seen by Reuters.

CETA start hits snag over cheese quota dispute with Canada

The EU's pending trade deal with Canada has hit an unexpected snag over quotas for cheese imported from Europe and EU officials said on Thursday (15 June) they were "hopeful" the two sides could overcome the differences and allow the deal to take effect.