EU External Trade

News and information about the European Union's trade policy.

EU clears Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard — 15 May 2023, 22:16 CET

The EU Commission approved Monday, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, subject to full compliance of commitments offered by Microsoft.

Brussels mulls ban on export of hazardous chemicals — 11 May 2023, 19:06 CET

The European Commission launched an open public consultation Wednesday to seek views on how to address the production for export of hazardous chemicals that are banned in the EU.

Green light for new EU law to fight global deforestation — 19 April 2023, 23:25 CET

The EU Parliament gave the green light Wednesday to a new law which obliges companies to ensure products sold in the EU have not led to deforestation and forest degradation.

EU wins WTO case on India info tech products — 18 April 2023, 16:28 CET

The World Trade Organization ruled in favour of the EU Monday in a major case challenging India's tariff on key information and communication technology products.

Political breakthrough on EU anti-coercion trade tool — 28 March 2023, 16:28 CET

MEPs and Council negotiators agreed Tuesday to set up a new tool to safeguard the EU's interests and respond to countries seeking to coerce the Union or member states.

EU, UK formally adopt new N'thn Ireland Brexit deal — 27 March 2023, 18:14 CET

The EU and UK formally adopted a decision Friday laying down the arrangements relating to the Windsor Framework, the post-Brexit legal agreement on new arrangements for the Protocol on Northern Ireland.

European Critical Raw Materials Act - guide — 16 March 2023, 21:57 CET

The European Commission proposed on 16 March a comprehensive set of actions to ensure the EU's access to a secure, diversified, affordable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials.

EU moves to strengthen own capacity in critical raw materials — 16 March 2023, 22:31 CET

The European Commission proposed Thursday a comprehensive set of actions to ensure the EU's access to a secure, diversified, affordable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials.

EU and Thailand relaunch trade negotiations — 15 March 2023, 19:02 CET

The EU and Thailand announced the relaunch of negotiations for an ambitious, modern and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) Wednesday, with sustainability at its core.

Brussels to extend Ukraine trade benefits by a year — 26 February 2023, 22:44 CET

The EU is set to renew the suspension of import duties, quotas and trade defence measures on Ukrainian exports to the European Union - known as the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) - for another year.

EU set to hit Russia, Iran with new sanctions — 15 February 2023, 22:43 CET

The EU signalled a 10th package of sanctions on Russia Wednesday, with export bans worth more than EUR 11 billion and controls on electronic components used in Russian weapons systems.

Green Deal Industrial Plan boost for Europe's net-zero industry — 02 February 2023, 22:31 CET

The Commission presented its 'Green Deal Industrial Plan' Wednesday with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and supporting fast transition to climate neutrality.

Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age - guide — 01 February 2023, 18:28 CET

The European Commission presented oin 1 February a Green Deal Industrial Plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality.

Foreign Subsidies Regulation - guide — 12 January 2023, 21:07 CET

The Foreign Subsidies Regulation ('FSR') entered into force on 12 January. This new set of rules for addressing distortions caused by foreign subsidies will allow the EU to remain open to trade and investment, while ensuring a level playing field for all companies operating in the Single Market.

EU foreign subsidies regulation comes into effect — 16 January 2023, 23:45 CET

The European Union's Foreign Subsidies Regulation entered into force Thursday, a new set of rules which addresses the distortions caused by foreign subsidies and ensures fair and open EU markets.

EU reaches provisional deal to stop deforestation — 12 December 2022, 23:45 CET

EU decision-makers reached a ground-breaking agreement Tuesday to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products that are imported into or exported from the EU.

EU reaches deal on rules to protect online shoppers — 30 November 2022, 18:15 CET

EU institutions reached provisional agreement Tuesday on new general product safety rules which ensure that products sold both offline and online are safe and live up to European standards.

EU to tighten rules on firearms — 01 November 2022, 23:17 CET

An update to EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms for civilian use, proposed Thursday by the European Commission, will enhance security and address the trafficking of firearms.

Trafficking in firearms — 27 October 2022, 18:33 CET

Firearms are the lifeblood of organised crime in Europe, as elsewhere in the world. They facilitate the trade in illegal drugs and trafficking in human beings. The supply of stolen, smuggled and converted replica guns fuels urban gang conflict. Firearms are typically used by all organised crime groups to intimidate and coerce their victims. The life cycle of a weapon begins with its manufacture. It is then traded and used, most of the time responsibly and for legitimate purposes such as hunting and sports shooting. At the end of its life it may be deactivated or completely destroyed. Criminals acquire firearms by exploiting vulnerabilities in this life cycle. They forge documents to enable false transactions, or they convert deactivated or gas and alarm weapons into operational. The EU is uniquely placed to help disrupt criminal markets through its laws enabling common EU standards, through funding streams, through police and customs cooperation and engagement with third countries and international organisations.

Updated rules to increase security and facilitate legal trade - guide — 27 October 2022, 16:30 CET

The European Commission proposed on 27 October to update EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms for civilian use.

EU sets stricter rules for energy performance of buildings — 26 October 2022, 18:26 CET

The EU Council reached agreement Tuesday to ensure all new buildings will be zero-emission buildings by 2030 and existing buildings transformed into zero-emission buildings by 2050.

EU agrees upgrade for European standardisation system — 13 October 2022, 17:11 CET

The EU's Council and Parliament reached a provisional political agreement Wednesday on a proposal aimed at improving the governance and integrity of the European standardisation system.

EU free trade exports surpass EUR €1 trillion: report — 11 October 2022, 18:26 CET

EU exports to preferential partners under Free Trade Agreements surpassed EUR 1 trillion in 2021 for the first time, a new report published Tuesday by the European Commission shows.

Brussels moves to ban products made with forced labour from EU market — 14 September 2022, 22:58 CET

The EU Commission published Wednesday a legislative proposal which will effectively prohibit the placing on the EU market of products made with forced labour, as well as their export from the EU.

Prohibition of products made by forced labour in the Union Market - guide — 14 September 2022, 22:54 CET

The European Commission proposed on 14 September to prohibit products made with forced labour on the EU market. The proposal covers all products, namely those made in the EU for domestic consumption and exports, and imported goods, without targeting specific companies or industries.