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Guides on the EU Trade policy.
EU - Japan trade statistics 2007 by EUbusiness — last modified 21 April 2008, 19:28 CET
Between 2000 and 2007, EU27 exports of goods to Japan fell slightly in value, from 45.5 bn euro to 43.7 bn, while EU27 imports from Japan decreased by 15%, from 92.1 bn to 77.9 bn.
EU trade relations with Australia by EUbusiness — last modified 02 April 2008, 18:36 CET
The EU is Australia's main trading partner. Trade between the two continues to grow steadily. Australian exports to the EU are mainly agricultural products. Australia is the 20th largest trading partner of the EU in the world.
Chinese treatment of foreign financial information providers - EU WTO request by EUbusiness — last modified 03 March 2008, 23:19 CET
The European Union has formally requested consultations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over measures that affect the operation of foreign financial information suppliers in China. China has prevented foreign suppliers of financial information services from providing their services directly to their clients. They are now required to operate through an agent that is a branch of Xinhua itself. Moreover, Xinhua has recently launched a financial information service in direct competition with foreign suppliers. The European Commission had tried to solve the issue through cooperation and dialogue, but without success. The United States has also requested consultations at the WTO over this issue.
Common framework for the marketing of products - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 21 February 2008, 23:10 CET
The European Parliament on 21 February 2008 adopted a broad package of measures to facilitate the functioning of the EU's internal market for goods. This will make it easier for companies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, to sell their products in the EU whilst increasing the protection of consumers. For industrial products, existing market surveillance systems will be strengthened and, for the first time, aligned with import controls. Accreditation has also been introduced. This is a formal system which may now be used to ensure that conformity assessment bodies (or testing and certification laboratories) provide the high quality services that manufacturers need. The introduction of these measures serves to reinforce the role and credibility of CE marking. Improvements are also proposed for the trade with goods which do not fall under EU-legislation. From now on it will also be the duty of an EU Member State that intends to refuse market access for products that are legally marketed in other Member States to talk to the enterprise and to give detailed objective reasons for any possible refusal. This is intended to create new benefits for entrepreneurs as well as helping consumers broaden their choice. It is expected that the Council of the EU will approve the package of measures soon, so that it can enter into force next year.
Modernised Community Customs Code - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 19 February 2008, 19:05 CET
The aim of the modernised Community Customs Code regulation is to replace the existing Community Customs Code and the related Regulations with a modernized Customs Code that streamlines customs procedures and lays the foundations for accessible, inter-operable customs clearance systems at EU level.
Economic Partnership Agreements - update by EUbusiness — last modified 11 January 2008, 15:50 CET
The EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) have been working to put in place new Economic Partnership Agreements by the start of 2008. These agreements aim at progressively removing barriers to trade and enhancing cooperation in all areas related to trade. They are also aimed at providing an open, transparent and predictable framework for goods and services to circulate freely, thus increasing competitiveness of the ACP.
EU trade deficit of EUR 35bn with Africa in 2006 by EUbusiness — last modified 06 December 2007, 14:26 CET
On the occasion of the second EU-Africa Summit, which takes place on 8-9 December 2007 in Lisbon, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, issues data on trade in goods between the 27 Member States of the EU and 53 African countries.
EU Trade with India and China by EUbusiness — last modified 26 November 2007, 14:44 CET
EU27 trade with China grew by 150% between 2000 and 2006. EU Trade with India up by 80%.
India EU trade by EUbusiness — last modified 26 November 2007, 13:34 CET
EU-India trade has grown impressively over the years, from €4.4 billion in 1980 to over €46 billion in 2006. Trade with the EU represents almost 20% of India's exports and imports and the EU thus as a bloc is India's largest trading partner. The EU is also India's largest source of foreign direct investment. However, India accounts for just 1.8% of total EU trade. India attracts only 1.3% of the EU's world-wide investments.
WTO deal on generic medicines - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 19 November 2007, 17:17 CET
The European Union on 19 November 2007 adopted a WTO initiative to improve access to medicines for developing countries.
EU Single Market - benefits by EUbusiness — last modified 16 November 2007, 13:54 CET
Ten ways in which Europeans have benefited from the Single Market
Kimberley Process - fighting blood diamonds by EUbusiness — last modified 01 November 2007, 00:58 CET
The European Commission, as current Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) – the international scheme to end trade in conflict diamonds, is hosting its Annual Conference in Brussels on 5-8 November. Some 300 delegates, including Ministers, officials, industry and civil society representatives, will meet to review efforts in diamond trading, cutting and polishing centres to exclude conflict diamonds, as well as controls in countries with artisanal diamond production. Participants are expected to agree further measures to strengthen the scheme.
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - principles & objectives by EUbusiness — last modified 31 October 2007, 12:47 CET
The negotiations leading to the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) were launched in Brussels on 27 September 2002 to be conducted in two phases. The first phase is conducted at "All-ACP"-EU level and takes on board cross-cutting themes of interest to all parties concerned, mainly: legal matters, the development "dimension" of the EPAs, Agriculture and Fisheries agreements, services, market access and trade-related matters. The Second phase is conducted at ACP national and regional level with spotlight on specific commitments.
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 31 October 2007, 12:55 CET
The negotiations leading to the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) were launched in Brussels on 27 September 2002 to be conducted in two phases. The first phase is conducted at "All-ACP"-EU level and takes on board cross-cutting themes of interest to all parties concerned, mainly: legal matters, the development "dimension" of the EPAs, Agriculture and Fisheries agreements, services, market access and trade-related matters. The Second phase is conducted at ACP national and regional level with spotlight on specific commitments.
China - EU trade by EUbusiness — last modified 24 October 2007, 12:29 CET
The European Union and China, two of the biggest markets in the world, have everything to gain by deepening their commercial ties. Since 1978, bilateral trade has increased more than 60 fold and reached approximately EUR 254 billion in 2006 (Eurostat).
China and product safety: frequently asked questions by EUbusiness — last modified 19 July 2007, 21:52 CET
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva is making a vist to the People's Republic of China on 21-27 July 2007.
EU Humanitarian Aid: Frequently asked questions by EUbusiness — last modified 13 June 2007, 15:42 CET
The European Commission on 13 June 2007 adopted a Communication paving the way for greater efficiency and coherence in delivering humanitarian aid. The Commission is calling for the European Union to work more closely together on a consensus that would boost its collective response to humanitarian crises. This includes advocating full respect for international humanitarian law, so that aid and aid workers can reach people in need.
China - EU trade - background note by EUbusiness — last modified 12 June 2007, 23:02 CET
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson met Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai in Brussels on 12 June 2007 for the annual EU-China Joint Trade Ministerial Meeting. China and the EU have one of the fastest growing trading relationships in the global economy: Europe is now China's largest trading partner, and China Europe's largest source of manufactured imports. The Minister and the Commissioner reviewed bilateral trade relations. Commissioner Mandelson urged his Chinese counterpart to continue to address barriers to EU exporters and investors in the Chinese market and to protect EU businesses in China from intellectual property theft. Although China has now been in the WTO for six years, EU exporters and investors continue to face persistent problems entering and operating in the Chinese market.
The G8 Summit - FAQ by EUbusiness — last modified 05 June 2007, 00:02 CET
The European Union participates at the G8 Summit and is represented by the President of the European Commission and the leader of the country that holds the Presidency of the European Union. When a European member of the G8 hosts the Summit at the same time as holding the EU Presidency, the two roles are combined.
2006 customs seizures of counterfeit goods – Frequently Asked Questions by EUbusiness — last modified 31 May 2007, 12:58 CET
Statistics just published by the European Commission show a significant increase in the amount of counterfeit and pirated articles seized at the EU's external borders in 2006. Customs officials seized more than 250 million of such articles in 2006 compared with 75 million in 2005 and 100 million in 2004. Medicines, cigarettes and other goods that can seriously damage the health of consumers continue to be faked in large quantities. Changes in the routes used by criminals to trade in fake goods, the use of the internet and the transport of small quantities by air or postal traffic make customs job even more challenging. However, customs' reply has never been as high as in 2006 with more than 36.000 seizures, an increase of around 40% compared with 2005.