Are you already connected? Starting 1 April 2025, road and rail carriers must provide extra safety and security data to ICS2 before their goods enter the EU. Ensure compliance before the full enforcement deadline on 1 September 2025!

Think you can guess a country based on its top exports? Try Tradle, a fun daily puzzle where you analyze trade data to identify the country of the day. A great way to sharpen your trade skills while having fun!

The Commission has started monitoring the import volumes of certain ethylene and ammonia products, which are mainly used for fertiliser production and industrial applications. The information gathered will allow the Commission to react quickly to level the playing field if the monitoring points to a surge of imports causing or threatening to cause injury to the EU industry.

The European Commission has tightened the steel safeguard measure to shield the EU steel industry from surging imports, delivering on the EU's Steel and Metals Action Plan. These measures ensure a fairer trade environment while maintaining necessary safeguards.

The Commission takes action to maintain and expand European industrial capacities in the steel and metals sectors. The Action Plan on Steel and Metals is designed to strengthen the sector's competitiveness and safeguard the industry's future.

We have taken decisive action to counter unfair subsidies in the aluminium road wheels market. We have imposed countervailing duties on imports of aluminium road wheels from Morocco, shielding EU producers and defending 16,600 jobs from unfair trading practices.

We have imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of 26.3% to 56.1% on imports of glass fibre yarns from China, directly protecting 1,200 EU jobs and further shielding the EU’s glass fibre sector from unfair trading practices.

"We deeply regret the US tariffs imposed on Europe. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. Today Europe takes strong but proportionate countermeasures. We remain ready to engage in dialogue."

The European Commission has proposed a plan to support Ukraine’s important iron and steel sectors, which would continue to exempt their imports into the EU from trade defence measures.

The EU and South Korea have concluded negotiations on a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA), strengthening their partnership in the fast-evolving digital economy. The deal sets high-standard digital trade rules, enhances consumer trust and legal certainty for businesses, and removes barriers to digital trade.

In last week's ministerial meeting, the EU and India focused on issues like building resilient supply chains, with an emphasis on food security, pharmaceuticals, and clean tech. Enhancing market access and economic security, as well as reforming the WTO to adapt to global changes. As India’s economy grows, both sides are prioritizing deeper trade relations, including a Free Trade Agreement.

Boosted by the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, Milcobel, a specialised Belgian dairy producer, thrives in Japan. By reducing tariffs and simplifying trade, agreements like the EU-Japan EPA help local businesses grow globally.

Digital trade is the artery of doing business globally. From growing vegetables in the Netherlands to accounting services in Arizona to music streaming in South Korea - transferring data digitally is part of the operation. But how does it work? Who sets the rules? And what does the EU have to do with all this?

Since 2019, Polish brand YOPE has successfully expanded into Japan’s highly regulated beauty market, thanks to the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). With reduced trade barriers, streamlined administrative procedures, and strong local partnerships, Japan has become one of YOPE’s top five export markets—growing year after year!

The EU-South Africa trade agreement, in effect since 2000, has boosted exports, reduced costs, and fostered innovation. AERO-LIFT, a German SME, has expanded its South African market thanks to lower tariffs and simplified trade processes.

If you need more time, request a deployment window at least one month in advance. Access eLearning modules, factsheets, and guidance materials on the ICS2 website to ensure compliance, understand key steps, and assess the impact on your business. Stay ahead—get informed today!

Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, speaking at the American Enterprise Institute event on EU-US Cooperation on Trade and Economic Security, emphasized the importance of strengthening transatlantic ties. You can read the full speech here.

Niue, Tonga, and Tuvalu are joining the EU-Pacific EPA, following EU Council approval on 27 January 2025. Once their internal procedures are complete, they will gain duty-free access to the EU market, fostering stronger trade ties, economic growth, and regional cooperation. Existing EU-Pacific EPAs have already boosted trade with the EU by nearly 30%, driving entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic development.

Last week, we hosted a workshop with Technopolis Group on SME internationalisation, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss how to enhance support for European SMEs in global markets. Discussions focused on mapping EU and national support measures, identifying gaps, and improving policy coordination. The European Commission is now working to implement key recommendations. You can read the full report here.

The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese biodiesel imports, helping to protect close to 6,000 EU jobs across more than 60 producers in 18 Member States. Duties range from 10% to 35.6% and supersede the provisional duties imposed in August 2024.