About: trade agreements
Free trade agreements struggle to convince on social, environmental standards
There are real concerns about the lowering of social and environmental standards in free trade agreements, and NGOs and economists point out the lack of binding control mechanisms in trade deals. EURACTIV.fr reports.
MEPs amp up pressure on Commission over digital trade
MEPs are exerting pressure on the European Commission to draw up rules on data flows in foreign trade agreements, an area where the EU executive has so far not pinned down any tangible policy.
Commission conducting review of all foreign data transfer deals
The European Commission is reviewing the 12 data transfer agreements it has with countries outside the bloc, as part of a scrutiny process that could potentially result in the deals being axed.
Romanian MEP points out ‘green contradiction’ of organic trade deal
A recent trade deal on organic products between the EU and Chile has sparked a discussion regarding the environmental footprint of organic products transportation.
Europe’s car industry appeals for tariff-free trade deal ahead of Brexit summit
Two days before EU leaders meet to sign off on their guidelines for Brexit negotiations, the car industry is demanding the divorce deal guarantee tariff-free trade after the UK leaves the bloc.
Commission and US government urge Trump to have ‘political will’ on TTIP
Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as president, the European Commission and the US government told the incoming administration that the basis for TTIP has “only gone stronger” since talks over the deal started four years ago.
CETA: A way out of European self-dwarfism
Anti-CETA campaigns and mass protests have put the EU-Canada deal under constant pressure. Daniel Caspary MEP asks: What are we going to do if the European Union buries its common trade policy?
EU asks for WTO panel over Colombia’s tax practices on spirits
The European Commission has requested the establishment of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel over Colombia's alleged discrimination against imported spirits.
Brexit would put £250 billion in trade at risk, ‘In’ campaign says
A British vote to leave the European Union could put £250 billion (€318 billion) of trade at risk, both with EU member states, and with the more than 50 countries that have free-trade agreements with the bloc, campaigners to remain said yesterday (2 May).
What leaving the EU would really mean for British trade deals
The impact of staying in or leaving the EU for the UK’s global trade has become one of the most talked about questions of the referendum so far, writes Paul James Cardwell.
Greek agriculture minister: EU must change stance on trade agreements
The European Union should change its negotiation tactics regarding trade agreements with third countries and better defend member states, Greek Minister of Agricultural Development Evangelos Apostolou told EURACTIV Greece in an exclusive interview.
Athens says TTIP should be ratified by national parliaments
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) should be a “mixed” agreement and, therefore, be ratified by national institutions, according to Greece’s economy minister. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Paraguay hosts Mercosur preparatory meeting ahead of EU talks
Paraguay, which holds the rotating presidency of Mercosur, will host representatives of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, to formulate a common position on a trade agreement with the European Union, the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry announced.
WTO trade deal set to cut tariffs for 200 tech products
After months of delays, eighty countries negotiating over the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) reached a breakthrough on Saturday (18 July) at a meeting brokered by the World Trade Organization.
Paraguay warns against ‘two speed’ negotiations
On the eve of the EU-CELAC summit opening today (10 June), Horacio Cartes, the president of Paraguay warned in an exclusive interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, a partner of EURACTIV, that stalled negotiations between the EU and Mercosur shouldn't have “two speeds”.
Parliament’s opposition to TTIP arbitration on the rise
Half of the European Parliament's committees have rejected the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership's (TTIP) investor-state dispute settlement mechanism (ISDS), casting doubt over the trade deal's prospects of to passing through Parliament. EURACTIV France reports.
Make 2015 a year of world trade action
International trade creates wealth and opportunities around the world. But the richest countries must take care to foster, not weaken the poorest, writes Anabel Gonzalez.
European Parliament committee signals opposition to ISDS
The European Parliament’s trade committee has signalled its opposition to an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clause in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).