This week in EU trade: continued focus on the US subsidy scheme, Ukraine duty suspensions, the IPI rollout and Vietnamese pharmaceutical marketing authorisations. By Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Vietnam
Week in Brussels: China, Vietnam, steel safeguard
The securitisation of EU trade and investment policy is advancing. This week the European Commission announced it would look into tighter investment screening rules and potential outbound investment controls. Its planned anti-coercion instrument is also moving forward. And the debate on the Energy Charter Treaty is not abating. More on …
Week in Brussels: Israel, Vietnam, TSD
We are entering the thick of the autumn and trade policy activity is at its highest for many months in Brussels.
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: UK Contact Group, Vietnam FTA, digital platform sellouts
European Parliament sets up new UK Contact Group; EU Vietnam civil society dialogue postponed until further notice; France, Germany and Netherlands want even tougher rules on company takeovers by digital platforms.
MEPs to keep China, Vietnam investment and trade agreements under human rights watch
The European Parliament released a series of motions for resolutions on human rights in foreign countries this week. Two could have direct consequences for existing EU investment and trade agreements if MEPs consider that the human rights situation in the relevant countries is deteriorating. China investment deal ratification tied to …
In brief: Council gives final green light to EU Vietnam FTA
Today EU member states gave their final assent to the EU Vietnam free trade agreement – the move was delayed by a few weeks due to the disturbances in the EU meeting calendar brought by the COVID-19 situation. The flagship trade pact with the South East Asian emerging market is …
Vietnam FTA: Netherlands calls for labour dispute settlement, COVID-19 delays
It should have been a formality. The EU Vietnam free trade agreement was due to be adopted at a meeting of trade ministers that was cancelled last week. This move followed on a decision by the Council not to hold ‘non essential’ Council meetings in Brussels in order to contain …
Week in Brussels: Breton data localisation statements, EU US, Vietnam FTA, IP
This week was mainly about the EU getting back into business mode. The main focus has been on preparing the ground for trade negotiations starting next month with the United Kingdom and managing transatlantic relations. More below. Commissioner Breton toys with idea of a data localisation obligations for business data …
Week in Brussels: Council, Vietnam rapporteur reshuffle, Malmström
It’s been en eventful week, with the Appellate Body disappearing and the English (and Welsh) voting to “get Brexit done”. Here are other bits of news of potential interest for EU trade. Council Conclusions: green trade ok but at low cost and with level playing field Heads of government are …
