The desire of an invaded Ukraine to join the EU has reawakened debate on an enlargement process that was largely stuck. The varied global responses to Russia’s aggression demand a similar reconsideration of the EU’s trade narrative.
Turkey & Med
WTO panel lenient on EU steel safeguard
Part Two of the recent Turkey-EU trade dispute settlement saga around pharmaceuticals and steel is ending today with a panel report that goes easy on Brussels in its handling of its 2018 steel safeguard measure. Even if the panel did not give the EU a clean slate in the way …
WTO: Turkey to appeal EU pharma case win in ad hoc arbitration mechanism
The MPIA will once again have to wait. But Turkey and the EU are setting a precedent by using an alternative World Trade Organization appeals mechanism to settle their legal scores as the appellate body continues to lie dormant.
Week in Brussels: CBAM controversy, anti-coercion instrument, EP Africa report
While – quite understandably – much attention was paid to the fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the traditional trade policy churn in Brussels did not stop. Selected updates below, by Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Week in Brussels: French presidency programme, Cross Channel food trade, Lithuania, Turkey
The trade policy world was comparatively quiet in Brussels as the Christmas break continued for many in the EU bubble in this first week of January 2022. More on what happened this week in EU trade by Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer below.
Week in Brussels: EU Vietnam civil society meet, Russian birch plywood, Euromed impact
This week’s trade minister meeting in Brussels was a rather grumpy family gathering ahead of ‘decision time’ for small but strategic trade agreements with Chile (lithium anyone?), New Zealand and Australia. Here are some other interesting developments. EU and Vietnam hold their first FTA civil society group meetings The first …
Week in Brussels: Section 232 talks, EP CBAM work, Morocco fumble
Under-the-radar but important trade policy news for you in this Week in Brussels column. By Rob Francis and a little bit of extra input from Iana Dreyer. Section 232 talks with US continue as Commission eyes temporary solution Only two days before the Commission’s self-set deadline to finalise negotiations with …
Week in Brussels: Trade and Tech Council, Turkey, Renew Europe
This week the European Union’s trade policy jolted back into action after a summer lull. It’s mainly been about setting up meetings and the agenda for the coming months. By Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Week in Brussels : Strategic autonomy rentrée, southern neighbours
The atmosphere in Brussels in this 2021 European Union trade policy back-to-school week has been marked by deepening uncertainty over where the United States, Europe’s key security ally and largest trading partner, is heading. By Iana Dreyer and Rob Francis.
Commission keeps hopes alive for trade talk relaunch with Morocco
There is not only CBAM, the United States or Mercosur in EU trade policy. There is also Morocco. Trade relations with the EU’s southern neighbour were the focus of a dedicated session in the international trade committee this week. The MEPs’ exchange of views with Commission official comes amidst heavy …
