Photo credit: European Parliament Cecilia Malmström’s nomination hearing in the European Parliament yesterday and the vote in her favour by the body’s trade committee today signal that both the European Commission and the Parliament prefer continuity over a rethink of European trade policy, opines Borderlex’s editor Iana Dreyer.
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Comment: Not going ballistic – Why Russia won’t start a trade war with Ukraine this time round
[sh_light_text ]High-level officials from the European Union (EU), Ukraine and Russia are holding a ‘trilateral’ meeting in Brussels today. They plan to address Russia’s commercial concerns about the impact the free trade deal (DCFTA) Brussels and Kiev signed in late June might have on its trade with Ukraine. Ukraine and …
Editor’s Comments – Renewable energy, EU antidumping & the end of a ‘green bubble’
Over the last decade, the EU’s decisions to impose antidumping duties have mainly benefited Europe’s metals and chemical sectors. A good third of the antidumping duties imposed target Chinese exports. But now, renewables are the new kid on the bloc and they don’t only target China. It’s all a tale …
Editor’s Comment: TTIP and Europe’s energy question
[sh_light_text ]Energy trade has become an important topic of discussion around the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. The crisis in Ukraine, Europe’s own energy crisis, and the US shale revolution have given the issue particular salience. Although TTIP can contribute to improving the EU’s energy challenges, it will certainly …
Comment: Why an EU-China investment agreement would not be such a bad thing
[sh_light_text ]China and the European Union (EU) are currently negotiating an international investment agreement (IIA). Both parties place a lot of hopes in the treaty’s effects on foreign investment flows. But these effects will likely be limited. Nonetheless, concluding the agreement is a real opportunity to improve both bilateral and international investment rules, says …
Editor’s comments: Leaked document on oil, gas & raw materials in TTIP – What’s behind the non-news
[sh_light_text ]A “leaked” EU Commission negotiating text on energy trade in TTIP has made the headlines this week, and is being accused of promoting fracking, the controversial technique to produce shale gas, and US crude oil exports. Iana Dreyer explains why the real secret in this matter is that there is no secret. …
Comment: Canada-EU CETA – what’s left to be done and why it matters
The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) won’t solve Europe’s energy woes nor end Canada’s reliance on the American market. But both sides have plenty to lose if the agreement is left to languish. Very importantly, CETA sets a new bar for managing investor-state relations. If CETA’s extra specification …
