Borderlex’s Robert Francis sat down with the chair of the EU Domestic Advisory Group under the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Stéphanie Ghislain to discuss in more detail the work of the group’s work,her views on the ‘trade and sustainable development’ chapters in EU free trade agreements.
Energy & Environment
Member states endorse French approach to bringing CBAM file to a close
European Union finance ministers today reached a common position on the European Commission’s proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism.
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.
Deforestation regulation – INTA draft opinion seeks broader definitions, earlier trigger date
A draft opinion of the European Parliament’s international trade committee calls for a broader definition of “deforestation-free” products as part of the ongoing debate on the European Commission’s proposal to restrict imports of products associated with deforestation and forest degradation.
CBAM: French presidency dodges toughest issues in quest for early adoption
The French Presidency is working towards a common member state position on the proposed EU carbon border adjustment mechanism. In an attempt to achieve an outcome in a record short time, France is taking a gamble by not including some of the legislative file’s most contentious elements, leaving those to …
Week in Brussels: Russia WTO, GSP, CBAM, TSD
A Week in Brussels column this week that is focused on the European Parliament. By Rob Francis with input from Iana Dreyer.
Blog: A quasi-embargo on Belarus exports to EU
Amidst all the shattering economic and financial sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has not imposed restrictions on imports of Russian goods so far. But neighbouring Belarus is probably about to see a de facto embargo on all its headline exports to the EU. …
European Parliament trade committee fails to adopt CBAM opinion
The European Parliament’s international trade committee last night (28 February) dramatically rejected by just one vote its own opinion on the European Commission’s proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism.
Deforestation regulation: member states weigh product scope expansion
A majority of EU agricultural ministers today expressed support for the current scope of the European Commission’s proposal to restrict the import of products associated with deforestation and forest degradation. The new government coalition in Germany however is calling for wetlands and savannah ecosystems to be included, and several member …
Week in Brussels: Deforestation, Colombia climate, Singapore digital, Philippines GSP+
There isn’t only Africa this week in EU trade news. The latest edition of Week in Brussels brought to you by Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.