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See You After the Summer!

We have published the results of the Eurobarometer survey on trade. Access survey’s detailed results now.

As part of our regular consultations on export control cooperation, the European Commission hosted a meeting with counterparts from Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States on 10 July 2024, to discuss ongoing efforts to align and enhance our export restriction measures imposed in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis and the Minister of Trade of Türkiye Ömer Bolat met in Brussels for the first meeting of a High-Level Dialogue on Trade.

This deal is a milestone in our joint efforts to advance the digitalisation of European and Japanese societies and economies. Its provisions will facilitate business on both sides, sending a strong signal against digital protectionism.

Trading with Kenya just got easier! The new EU-Kenya trade deal is now live. Here are the top three takeaways: Economic Boost: Kenya, East Africa's economic hub, now has greater access to the EU market, promising job creation and growth. Total trade hit €3 billion in 2023! This agreement will boost trade in goods on both sides, increase investment flows and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

These measures are based on facts and information gathered during a 9-month official investigation. This included extensive research, contacts with industry and stakeholders and on-site visits. Consultations between the EU and Chinese officials, including recent talks between Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao, are ongoing. The goal is to find a WTO-compatible solution that effectively addresses the EU's concerns.

The third Eurobarometer on international trade has been published! The survey reveals that Europeans value the benefits brought by international trade, such as wider consumer choice and more affordable products. Go check our three main takeaways from the survey on our LinkedIn page!

The project will support civil society advisory bodies (DAGs) in trade agreements, allowing DAGs members to meet on a regular basis, discuss the implementation of trade agreements or parts of the agreement and to advise the Parties on their findings.

The European Commission published an implementing regulation confirming the extension of the current steel safeguard measure for two more years, until June 2026. The regulation also adjusts the functioning of the measure, to adapt it to market conditions. This decision follows an investigation requested by fourteen EU Member States, which showed that the safeguard measure continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to the EU’s steel industry.

Producers of certain plants from 21 EU Member States will soon be able to export to the United States, thanks to the European Commission’s efforts to negotiate the removal of US import restrictions.

The UN ‘Mauritius’ Convention on transparency for ISDS marks a major step towards greater public access to documents and hearings, as well as the inclusion of civil society in disputes brought by investors against States under investment treaties. The Convention facilitates the application of the United Nations Commission of International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Transparency Rules to investment treaties concluded prior to 1 April 2014.

Algeria is not respecting its trade liberalisation commitments under the EU-Algeria Association Agreement. The EU has therefore started dispute settlement proceedings.

Our trusted trade information website now has a public procurement knowledge hub. That hub includes a new public procurement tool 'Procurement for Buyers'. It has easy-to-access info on the rules governing public procurement for contracting entities in the EU Member States.

Japan has a craving for chocolate from Belgium – who doesn’t? A Belgian chocolatier is happy to respond to this demand, supported by the tariff cuts brought about by the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Tune into Business Daily for a deep dive into the rising influence of Chinese car brands like BYD and Geely on the European market, especially in the electric vehicle sector. Following a probe into suspected subsidies, the EU Commission is imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs. This move could trigger a trade war as China is likely to retaliate. Olof Gill, EU Commission spokesperson on Trade, discusses these developments.

The European Commission has provisionally concluded that the battery electric vehicles value chain in China benefits from unfair subsidisation. In this context, the Commission has pre-disclosed the level of provisional countervailing duties it would impose on imports of BEVs from China. Should discussions with Chinese authorities not lead to an effective solution, these provisional countervailing duties would be introduced from 4 July by a guarantee (in the form to be decided by customs in each Member State).

The Republic of Korea has now greenlit imports of beef from France and Ireland, a proof of trust in our high food safety standards. The Commission anticipates that other Member States will soon follow in being able to export beef to the Republic of Korea, further deepening our trading relationship.

Closing EU trade deals is like playing a game of poker – or rather like steering a steady tanker?It probably is a bit of both and still much more. Looking at the EU’s trade agreement with New Zealand reveals how the EU negotiates trade deals, hat is at stake, and how power is shared between the three EU institutions which only together can bring such deals home.

This new phase will cover transportation of goods by maritime and inland waterways to or through the EU, Northern Ireland, Norway or Switzerland. Get all the info now by clicking the link below.