Asia and the EU

Latest news about Asia and the European Union. The EU is deepening its strategic partnerships with China, India, Japan and negotiations are well underway on new partnership and free trade agreements with South Korea and with south-east Asian countries. Asia comprises high-income industrialised partners and dynamic emerging economies but is also home to two thirds of the world's poor. Development cooperation therefore remains high on the EU's agenda with Asia, and more than five billion euros allocated to Asia by the EU for the period 2007-2013. Policies are address common challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, security and stability, governance and human rights, as well as the prevention of, and response to natural and human disasters. The EU is stepping up its support to regional integration through the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and intensifying cooperation with the Association of South-East Asia Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

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 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.

EU and ASEAN sign landmark aviation agreement — 18 October 2022, 18:29 CET

The EU and southeast asian nations signed a comprehensive air transport agreement Monday to open up air transport opportunities and enhance direct connectivity between the two regions.

EU-Japan reinforce relations — 17 May 2022, 19:13 CET

The EU and Japan took steps to strengthen relations Thursday, in digital technologies, trade and investments, climate action, biodiversity protection, sustainable development and security.

EU moves to regulate 'distortive' foreign subsidies — 09 May 2022, 23:06 CET

EU institutions adopted their position Thursday on a regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market, aiming to ensure a level playing field for all companies operating in the market.

EU, India to launch EU-India trade council — 25 April 2022, 17:35 CET

The European Union and India agreed Monday to launch the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, as a concrete effort to strengthen the decades-long EU-India partnership.

EU challenges China at WTO to defend high-tech sector — 18 February 2022, 22:50 CET

The European Union filed a case against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Friday for restricting EU companies from going to a foreign court to protect and use their patents.

EU's EUR 300 bn fund to counter Chinese influence — 06 December 2021, 22:26 CET

The EU launched a EUR 300 billion 'Global Gateway' fund Wednesday to counter the influence of China and develop links in transport, health, education and research systems across the world.

EU forges first-ever 'green alliance' with Japan — 31 May 2021, 22:47 CET

The EU forged a first-ever 'green alliance' with Japan Thursday, vowing at a summit to speed up action on climate change, promote green growth and jobs, and achieve sustainable and secure energy supplies.

EU, India strengthen strategic partnership on connectivity, trade — 13 May 2021, 00:23 CET

The European Union and India concluded at the weekend a connectivity partnership, and agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement and launch talks on an investment protection agreement.

EU sanctions target human rights violations in China, Russia, Myanmar — 25 March 2021, 18:20 CET

EU foreign ministers imposed sanctions Monday on individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in China and Russia, as well as officials responsible for the military coup in Myanmar.

Wine and food boost for EU-Japan trade deal on 2nd anniversary — 01 February 2021, 16:38 CET

The EU hailed the success of the EU-Japan trade deal on its second anniversary Monday, as it agreed a number of improvements to the agreement in the area of protected foods, wine and vehicle trade.

EU steps up WTO complaint over Indonesia steel — 17 January 2021, 21:42 CET

The EU on Friday requested the establishment of a WTO panel to seek the elimination of unlawful export restrictions imposed by Indonesia on raw materials necessary for the production of stainless steel.

EU-China reach agreement on investment — 11 January 2021, 23:23 CET

Following intensive negotiations carried out by the European Commission, the EU and China concluded in principle at the end of 2020 negotiations for a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment.

EU signs geographical indications deal with China — 14 September 2020, 23:52 CET

The EU and China signed a bilateral agreement Monday to protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China and 100 Chinese GIs in the European Union against usurpation and imitation.

Europe needs to be a player, not a playing field, EU tells China — 16 September 2020, 18:31 CET

The EU needs a balanced relationship with China, EU president Charles Michel told Chinese president Xi Monday in a summit which underlined differences over human rights, climate and trade issues.

EU looks to improve trade & investment relations with China — 30 July 2020, 23:52 CET

At a high-level virtual meeting Tuesday, the EU called on China to engage in trade reform and to remove barriers impeding access to the Chinese market for EU exporters and European investors.

Importance of China to EU's COVID recovery underlined at summit — 24 June 2020, 17:53 CET

The importance of the EU's trading relationship with China for recovery from COVID-19 was underlined at a video conference summit Tuesday but Hong Kong and human rights was high on the agenda.

EU signs aviation agreement with Japan — 23 June 2020, 23:59 CET

The EU and Japan signed an agreement on civil aviation safety Monday, with the aim of boosting EU cooperation with Japan and reinforcing the competitiveness of the EU's aviation industry.

EU, Japan strenthen ties to face COVID-19 crisis — 27 May 2020, 23:55 CET

EU and Japan leaders at a video conference Tuesday signalled close coordination in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, stressing the importance of global solidarity, cooperation and multilateralism.

Brussels imposes new anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel — 04 March 2020, 23:31 CET

The EU Commission decided Wednesday to impose anti-dumping duties on imports of steel road wheels originating in China, to be in place as of tomorrow and to remain in place for a 5-year period.

Green light for talks on EU-Japan Passenger Name Record agreement — 19 February 2020, 00:30 CET

The EU Council gave a green light Tuesday for the start of negotiations with Japan on an agreement to enable the transfer of Passenger Name Record data from the European Union to Japan.

EU launches WTO action against Indonesia over steel — 27 November 2019, 17:50 CET

The European Union brought a dispute in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Friday against Indonesian export restrictions for raw materials used in the production of stainless steel.

EU-Singapore trade agreement enters into force — 26 November 2019, 18:09 CET

The EU-Singapore trade agreement came into effect Thursday, offering European companies a gateway to the fast-growing South-east-Asian region, boosting trade for companies, farmers and workers.