We shall see if more concrete trade news emerge of today’s trade ministers’ meeting in Brussels. In any case, here some other notable news for EU trade aficionados that emerged this week.
SSAfrica
EU, Angola seal investment facilitation agreement
The European Commission and Angola concluded negotiations on a ‘sustainable investment facilitation’ agreement. The EU executive body said the SIFA, which is the first deal it has signed with a trade partner, will “make it easier to attract and expand investments while integrating environment and labour rights commitments in the …
EU Africa roundup: rules-of-origin harmonisation, Angola, Kenya
The European Commission said that it is aiming to harmonise rules of origin between its economic partnership agreements with African countries before the end of its mandate in 2024. An agreement on sustainable investment facilitation with Angola is almost finished. And the EU will go it alone with an economic …
Eastern African EPA upgrade faces money hurdle
The European Union and five Eastern and Southern African countries are continuing to inch towards a deepening of their Economic Partnership Agreement following the most recent negotiating round held from 19-23 September in Antananarivo, Madagascar. But key stumbling blocks remain, notably on economic and development cooperation and the EU’s new …
Week in Brussels: FTAs, Angola investment deal, nothing concrete for Ukraine
Trade policy activity is picking up in Brussels. A curation of developments brought to you by Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
South Africa poultry trade dispute: panel rebuffs EU financial, customs union claims
August is traditionally quiet in European Union trade policy making. Here’s this month’s main Brussels trade story so far. A panel of arbitrators appointed under the 2016 Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Southern African Development Community ruled on 3 August that an import safeguard on frozen chicken …
South Africa files case against EU citrus import measures at WTO
A last little present for the August holidays brought to us from the southern hemisphere. South Africa requested consultations today with the EU in Geneva regarding measures applied mid July which add extra precautionary measures on its citrus fruit shipments from overseas. The measures are taken prima facie to avert …
Week in Brussels: South Africa hit by steel safeguard, CBAM and ETS, deforestation products
The latest in EU trade policy news: new restrictions on steel from South Africa and MEP calls to restrict more product trade linked to deforestation and give industries a free pass – at least for a time – as CBAM gets rolled out. By Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Eastern and Southern African countries EPA: status report
The European Union and five Eastern and Southern African countries are progressing in their negotiations on a revamped Economic Partnership Agreement, yet there remain tricky issues on the horizon concerning the trade and sustainable development and public procurement chapters.
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.
