The EU and India concluded negotiations for a historic, ambitious and commercially significant free trade agreement (FTA), the largest such deal ever concluded by either side. It will strengthen economic and political ties between the world’s second and fourth largest economies, at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and global economic challenges, highlighting their joint commitment […]
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EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages
The Commission welcomed last December 12’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail. Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the EU, the Commission and Member States have together acknowledged the need for an urgent […]
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Commission announces reinforcement of controls on products imported into the EU
Last December 9, the European Commission announced a reinforcement of controls on food, animal and plant products entering the EU. At the conclusion of an Implementation Dialogue on import controls with stakeholders, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, set out various measures to strengthen controls at EU borders and in third countries. These measures will ensure […]
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European Parliament proposes measures to tackle the increase in non-compliant products imported from outside the EU
On Wednesday, Parliament proposed measures to manage the influx and risks associated with cheap, poor-quality products bought on platforms outside the EU. The report, adopted with 619 votes in favour, 26 against and 46 abstentions, identifies ways to ease the pressure on customs and market surveillance authorities, which struggle to monitor and ensure that […]
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New import surveillance tool to help EU prevent harmful trade diversion
The European Commission has set up a new surveillance tool to help protect the EU against sudden and potentially disruptive surges in imports. This system aims to prevent harmful trade diversion, which occurs when a significant amount of goods that cannot enter other markets due to high tariffs and other restrictions are redirected into the […]
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Commission challenges China’s anti-dumping tariffs on EU brandy at the WTO
Yesterday, the European Commission has formally requested consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the provisional anti-dumping measures imposed by China on imports of EU brandy. This step reflects the EU’s firmly held view that China’s provisional measures on EU brandy are not in line with WTO rules. China has not proven that there is any threat of […]
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Commission and national authorities call on Apple to stop geo-blocking practices on Apple Media Services
Today, following a coordinated investigation at European level, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities and the European Commission notified Apple of several potentially prohibited geo-blocking practices that the CPC Network has identified on certain Apple Media Services, namely App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books and Podcasts. The network requested Apple […]
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Commission opens WTO consultations on China’s anti-subsidy investigation on EU dairy products
The Commission has today launched a request for consultation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), challenging China’s initiation of an anti-subsidy investigation against imports of certain EU dairy products. This is the first time that the EU has decided to challenge an investigation at its initial stage. The EU’s action has been prompted by an […]
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Eurobarometer shows most EU citizens benefit from international trade
According to the third Eurobarometer on international trade published today, over six in ten Europeans believe they benefit from international trade – an increase compared to the last such survey in 2019. The survey reveals that Europeans value the benefits brought by international trade, such as wider consumer choice and more affordable products. Furthermore, there is strong support […]
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