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Negotiations and agreements
Implementing EU agreements
The European Commission reports annually on the implementation of its main trade agreements in the preceding calendar year.
Published in November 2020, and prefaced by DG Trade Director-General Sabine Weyand’s foreword (other languages), the EU's 4th FTA implementation report (other languages) provides an overview of achievements in 2019 and of outstanding work ahead for the EU’s 36 main preferential trade agreements. The accompanying staff working document contains detailed information as per trade agreement and partner.
What are the main takeaways?
Additional information on tariff preferences
- Preference utilisation on EU imports
- Preference utilisation on EU exports
- FAQ on preference utilisation
State of play of EU trade agreements
Agreements in focus
Types of EU trade agreement
There are three main types of agreement:
- Customs Unions
- eliminate customs duties in bilateral trade, and;
- establish a joint customs tariff for foreign importers.
- Association Agreements, Stabilisation Agreements, (Deep and Comprehensive) Free Trade Agreements and Economic Partnership Agreements
- remove or reduce customs tariffs in bilateral trade.
- Partnership and Cooperation Agreements
- provide a general framework for bilateral economic relations, and;
- leave customs tariffs as they are.
Current state of play
- Agreements in place
- Agreements being adopted or ratified
- Agreements being negotiated
- Agreements on hold
Agreements in place
| Albania (Western Balkans) | Stabilisation and Association Agreement | In force since 2009 |
| Algeria | Association Agreement | In force since 2005 |
| Andorra | Customs union | In force since 1991 |
| Antigua and Barbuda (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Armenia | Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applies since June 2018 |
| Azerbaijan | Partnership and Cooperation Agreement | In force since 1999, negotiations on modernisation began in 2017, on hold since 2019 |
| Bahamas (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Barbados (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Belize (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina (Western Balkans) | Stabilisation and Association Agreement | In force since 2015 |
| Botswana (SADC) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionnaly applied since 2016 |
| Cameroon (Central Africa) | Interim Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2014 |
| Canada | Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) | Provisionally applied since 2017 |
| Chile | Association Agreement and Additional Protocol | In force since 2003, negotiations on modernisation began in 2017, on hold since 2019 |
| Colombia (with Ecuador and Peru) | Trade Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Comoros (ESA) | Interim Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2019, negotiations on modernisation began in 2019 |
| Costa Rica (Central America) | Association Agreement with a strong trade component | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa) | Stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2016 |
| Dominica (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Dominican Republic (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Ecuador (with Colombia and Peru) | Trade Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Egypt | Association Agreement | In force since 2004 |
| El Salvador (Central America) | Association Agreement with a strong trade component | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Eswatini (SADC) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionnaly applied since 2016 |
| Faroe Islands | Agreement | In force since 1997 |
| Fiji (Pacific) | Interim Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2014 |
| Georgia | Association Agreement | In force since 2016 |
| Ghana (West Africa) | Stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement provisionally applied | Provisionally applied since 2016 |
| Grenada (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Guatemala (Central America) | Association Agreement with a strong trade component | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Guyana (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Honduras (Central America) | Association Agreement with a strong trade component | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Iceland | Economic Area Agreement | In force since 1994 |
| Israel | Association Agreement | In force since 2000 |
| Iraq | Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
|
Provisionally applied since 2012 |
| Jamaica (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Japan | Global agreement | In force since 2019 |
| Jordan | Association Agreement | In force since 2002 |
| Kazakhstan | Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2016 |
| Kosovo * | Stabilisation and Association Agreement | In force since 2016 |
| Lebanon | Association Agreement | In force since 2006 |
| Lesotho (SADC) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionnaly applied since 2016 |
| Liechtenstein | Economic Area Agreement | In force since 1995 |
| Madagascar (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2012, negotiations on modernisation began in 2019 |
| Mauritius (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2012, negotiations on modernisation began in 2019 |
| Mexico | Global Agreement | In force since 2000, negotiations on modernisation began in 2016, ‘Agreement in principle’ on the trade part reached in 2018 |
| Moldova | Association Agreement | In force since 2016 |
| Montenegro (Western Balkans) | Stabilisation and Association Agreement | In force since 2010 |
| Morocco | Association Agreement | In force since 2000, negotiations on modernisation began in 2013, on hold since 2014 |
| Mozambique (SADC) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionnaly applied since 2016 |
| Namibia (SADC) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionnaly applied since 2016 |
| Nicaragua (Central America) | Association Agreement with a strong trade component | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| North Macedonia (Western Balkans) | Stabilisation and Association Agreement | In force since 2004 |
| Norway | Economic Area Agreement | In force since 1994 |
| Palestinian Authority | Interim Association Agreement | In force since 1997 |
| Papua New Guinea (with Fiji) | Interim Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Madagascar (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2009 |
| Peru (with Colombia and Ecuador) | Trade Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2013 |
| Samoa (Pacific) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2018 |
| San Marino | Customs union | In force since 1991 |
| Serbia (Western Balkans) | Stabilisation and Association Agreement | In force since 2013 |
| Seychelles (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2012, negotiations on modernisation began in 2019 |
| Singapore | Free Trade Agreement | In force since 2019 |
| Solomon Islands (Pacific | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2020 |
| South Africa | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionnaly applied since 2016 |
| South Korea | Free Trade Agreement | In force since 2015 |
| St Kitts and Nevis (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| St Lucia (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Suriname (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Switzerland | Agreement | In force since 1973 |
| Trinidad and Tobago (CARIFORUM) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2008 |
| Tunisia | Association Agreement | In force since 1998, negotiations on modernisation began in 2015, on hold since 2019 |
| Turkey | Customs union | In force since 1995 |
| Ukraine | Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement Association Agreement |
Provisionally applied since 2016 |
| Vietnam | Free Trade Agreement | In force since 2020 |
| Zimbabwe (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Provisionally applied since 2012, negotiations on modernisation began in 2019 |
- * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
Agreement being adopted or ratified
In some circumstances trade negotiations with a trade partner have been concluded, but have not been either signed or ratified yet. This means that although the negotiations have finished, no part of the agreement is in place yet.
| Country (Region) | Agreement pending | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina (Mercosur) | Mercosur Association Agreement | Negotiations concluded in June 2019 |
| Benin (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Brazil (Mercosur) | Mercosur Association Agreement | Negotiations concluded in June 2019 |
| Burkina Faso (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Burundi (EAC) | Economic partnership Agreement | Has not signed or ratified agreement |
| Cabo Verde (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Gambia (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Guinea (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Guinea-Bisseau (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Haiti (CARIFORUM) | Preferential trade agreement under adoption/ratification | Has not signed or ratified agreement |
| Kenya (EAC) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed and ratified, provisional application when all EAC countries sign and ratify |
| Liberia (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Mali (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Mauritania (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Niger (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Nigeria (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Has not signed or ratified agreement |
| Paraguay (Mercosur) | Mercosur Association Agreement | Negotiations concluded in June 2019 |
| Rwanda (EAC) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, provisional application when all EAC countries sign and ratify |
| Senegal (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Sierra Leone (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Tanzania (EAC) | Economic partnership Agreement | Has not signed or ratified agreement |
| Togo (West Africa) | Economic partnership Agreement | Signed, awaiting signature from all parties |
| Uganda (EAC) | Economic partnership Agreement | Has not signed or ratified agreement |
| Uruguay (Mercosur) | Mercosur Association Agreement | Negotiations concluded in June 2019 |
Agreements being negotiated
The EU has trade agreements in place with these countries/regions, but both sides are now negotiating an update.
| Country (Region) | New agreement being negotiated | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australia Agreement | Negotiations launched in 2018 |
| China | EU-China investment agreement | Negotiations launched in 2013 |
| Indonesia | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations launched in 2016 |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Agreement | Negotiations launched in 2018 |
| Philippines | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations launched in 2015 |
Agreements on hold
| Country (Region) | Agreement | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain (GCC) | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 1990, suspended since 2008 |
| Central African Republic (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Chad (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Congo (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Djibouti (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2004, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Equatorial Guinea (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Ethiopia (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2004, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Gabon (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| India | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 2007, last round in 2013 |
| Kuwait (GCC) | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 1990, suspended since 2008 |
| Malawi (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2004, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Malaysia | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 2010, paused since 2012 |
| Myanmar | Investment protection agreement | Negotiations launched in 2015 |
| Oman (GCC) | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 1990, suspended since 2008 |
| Qatar (GCC) | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 1990, suspended since 2008 |
| Republic Democratic of Congo (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| São Tomé & Principe (Central Africa) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2003, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Saudi Arabia (GCC) | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 1990, suspended since 2008 |
| Somalia (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2004, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Sudan (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2004, paused until further notice in 2011 |
| Thailand | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 2013, no negotiations scheduled since 2014 |
| United Arab Emirates (GCC) | Free Trade Agreement | Negotiations started in 1990, suspended since 2008 |
| United States | Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership | Negotiations started in 2013, paused until further notice in 2016 |
| Zambia (ESA) | Economic Partnership Agreement | Negotiations started in 2004, paused until further notice in 2011 |