The UK’s liberal agricultural market access offer to Australia and New Zealand raised eyebrows – but it’s a case of ‘twice-bitten, thrice shy’ for Rishi Sunak’s government
GSP, GSP Plus, EBA
Comment: The trade policy of Emergency Europe
Emergency Europe, a term forged during the eurozone crisis reached the EU’s trade policy during the pandemic. There are now-established patterns for many areas of trade policy affected by global and regional turmoil. Let’s brace for a more unpredictable EU.
Week in Brussels: Trusted trader scheme audit, IRA
This week’s trade highlight in Brussels was a decision to introduce a temporary import safeguard on certain agricultural goods from Ukraine in five countries and until June – and a further decision to liberalise fruit and vegetables trade for Moldova. All this was capped by European Commission executive vice president …
Week in Brussels: Forced labour, GSP, Mercosur dilly dallying
It’s been a big week for those looking at supply chain management, with the corporate sustainability due diligence regulation moving ahead in in parliament and MEPs starting to look at the EU’s planned forced labour product ban. Also the international trade committee of the European Parliament voted in favour of …
Week in Brussels: Plenty of WTO news for EU, Ukraine import bans, rice safeguard
A look back at a week dominated by a fierce internal EU fight over imports of agricultural products from Ukraine. By Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Week in Brussels: Forced labour ban, Mexico Global Agreement, trilogues
It was a big week in EU trade, with the adoption of the EU’s anti-coercion instrument and a speech by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen that is ruffling Chinese and some EU member state feathers. Oh and a deal with Kenya is on track. More below on some …
Week in Brussels: Trade at EUCO, leaving the Energy Charter Treaty, Moldova trade
In this week’s Brussels trade policy roundup – what capitals think of various trade files, the beginning of the end for the Energy Charter Treaty, and Moldova. By Rob Francis, with some input from Iana Dreyer.
Week in Brussels: Green industrial policy, Eastern and Southern Africa, GSP, deforestation
This is the last Week in Brussels column of the year 2022. The column will resume in January. The latest developments in EU trade policy brought to you by Rob Francis (mostly) and Iana Dreyer (some of it). A happy festive season to our readers!
In brief – GSP: EU member states make agriculture preference withdrawal easier
The Czech EU presidency managed to finalise another trade policy file today: that pertaining to the ongoing revision of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences.
Rodolfo: No reason why EU shouldn’t do an FTA with Philippines
There is no reason why the EU and the Philippines should not conclude a free trade agreement, says Manilla’s vice-minister in charge of industry, development and trade policy Ceferino Rodolfo.