Here is an update of various developments in the European Union’s trade policy. By Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Australia & New Zealand
Week in Brussels: EU US steel & aluminium, vaccine export control phase out, Australia FTA
EU US steel and aluminium talks reach crunch time The EU and US are still negotiating on a mechanism aimed at phasing out Trump era national security import duties on steel (25%) and aluminium (10%).
Labour, environment in Australia, New Zealand trade talks meet policy sovereignty hurdles
Why the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations between the European Union and Australia and New Zealand are turning to be more difficult than expected. Iana Dreyer and Shana Takoor.
EU New Zealand FTA : Wellington wants a third tariff offer
The EU and New Zealand released this week their versions of the last round of negotiations towards their goal of concluding a free trade agreement The main highlight of the round was the EU’s second market access offer to New Zealand. Whereas the EU is optimistic an agreement will soon …
New Zealand: negotiation status report ahead of revised EU market access offer
The European Union is set to make a revised offer to New Zealand on access to its agricultural markets shortly after the summer break – in a move which could determine how swiftly the three-year-old FTA negotiating process can be brought to a conclusion. Below, an item-by-item overview of where …
NZ’s Damien O’Connor: We want to build positive relationships into the Indo-Pacific
New Zealand’s Trade and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is the first minister from his country to travel offshore since the COVID-19 outbreak. His chosen destinations included Paris, London, and Brussels. Robert Francis caught up with him at the conclusion of his trip.
EU Australia FTA: EU seeks safeguards for overseas territories as talks progress
Australian imports of sugar and rice are emerging as a possible flashpoint area in the ongoing EU-Australia negotiations, as France sounds a warning over protection of suppliers in its overseas territories. This has become clear from the latest set of reports released by either side following the conclusion of the …
Insight: EU-Australia FTA negotiations haunted by ‘ghost’ of Mercosur
Australia is aiming to conclude its free trade negotiations with the European Union by the end of this year. But the forthcoming battle to push the eventual deal past an increasingly sceptical European Parliament will inevitably complicate the final stages of the negotiations.
Week in Brussels : Chile, New Zealand, ESA
EU Chile aim hope to conclude FTA upgrade – but when? The EU and Chile have been negotiating intensely this week to bring negotiations on the modernisation of their free trade agreement to a conclusion in the coming months.
EU risks fresh trade rows over GI status for ‘halloumi’ cheese
The European Commission has risked complicating its ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand by authorising a Cypriot cheese speciality as a new geographical indication. This move also opens up a new potential area of conflict in its relationship with the United Kingdom.
