Tuesday’s vote in the Netherlands to ratify CETA, the trade agreement with Canada which is provisionally in force since 2017, is a clear sign that the EU’s FTA agenda is now back in full swing. But the old-fashioned geo-strategic EU-US agenda remains firmly on the agenda – as DG for …
Internal EU politics
Dutch Senate approves CETA ratification
Today, the Dutch Senate approved a law allowing The Netherlands to sign and ratify the whole EU-Canada trade agreement CETA – including its investment protection part – after years of fierce national debate on its merits.
In quotation marks: Czech EU presidency emphasises FTA conclusion
The Czech permanent representative to the European Union today confirmed that her country’s trade priorities during its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU will include finalising trade agreements which are currently ongoing as well as launching new ones with other countries and “partners”.
Week in Brussels: Germany set for CETA, CBAM controversy, Pakistan, Kazakhstan
It’s been another big week in EU trade. The European Parliament has now a position on carbon border adjustment, and climate and labour conditionality in free trade agreements is about to get much much tougher. But there are even more big news – as seen below. By Rob Francis and …
Calls to accelerate FTA agenda, revive China conversations set tone at FAC Trade
A group of European Union member states spearheaded by Sweden and Finland today urged the union to accelerate its trade negotiations and bring to a conclusion those which are close to being or are already finalised.
Perspectives: Businesses lose influence in shaping EU trade agenda
Businesses are on the defensive when it comes to the EU’s trade and regulatory agendas. This situation requires rethinking from both policy makers and lobbyists.
Week in Brussels: India, export controls TTC, Greens’ TSD chapter ideas
It’s been relatively quiet on the trade policy front as many community members in Europe took a few days off ahead of the coming Easter week-end. A few notable developments. Brought to you by Robert Francis and Iana Dreyer.
Comment – Le Pen, Macron, and the EU’s trade policy
The current French presidential contest is tight and tense. The outcome of the run-off vote in ten days that will oppose incumbent Emmanuel Macron and the national-populist Marine Le Pen will determine whether the European Union as we know it has a future. Speaking of trade policy in this context …
Foreign subsidies regulation: MEPs to haggle over monetary thresholds, non financial contributions
The journey of the new EU foreign subsidies regulation through the European Parliament promises to be a rocky but not impossible one as key dividing lines among political groups emerge over critical aspects of the new legislation.
IPI: MEPs concede in clause that would have diminished foreign influence in capitals
In a few weeks or months the European Union will have a new regulation in place that aims at fostering ‘reciprocity’ in public procurement markets. French minister for trade Franck Riester, who led trilogue talks on behalf of the French presidency of the Council, announced triumphantly that, with the political …