The EU and the Philippines have reached a substantial agreement in their negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is intended to strengthen economic ties between the EU and another fast-growing strategic partner in South-East Asia. Maros Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, the Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and […]
New EU rules on e-commerce and customs controls
Parliament has given the green light to a wide-ranging reform of the European Customs Code, which imposes stricter rules on e-commerce and establishes a new customs authority. The regulations include an administration fee for each product purchased from retailers outside the EU and sent directly to European consumers, which will serve to cover the costs […]
The EU’s agri-food trade surplus rises in the first five months of 2026
The latest report on EU agri-food trade published by the European Commission shows that, in the first five months of 2026, the EU’s agri-food trade surplus stood at €19.4 billion, €1 billion more than in the same period of 2025. The value of the EU’s agri-food exports totalled €96,900 million between January and May 2026, […]
EU agri-food exports increased in July 2025
The latest agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that EU agri-food exports increased in July 2025 compared to the previous month, reaching €20.7 billion. The EU agri-food trade surplus increased by 19% in July to €4.6 billion. EUagri-food exports reached EUR 20.7 billion in July 2025, an increase of 8% compared to […]
EU expands scope of sanctions against Iran
The Council has decided to broaden the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This framework, adopted in July 2023, currently prohibits the export of components used in the construction and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the EU to Iran, and […]
The EU doubled its imports of green energy products by 2022
Clean energy is a fundamental part of the European Green Deal. In pursuit of this, green energy products such as wind turbines, liquid biofuels and solar panels are required. Utilising these energy products also reduces the energy import dependencies highlighted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, the EU spent €28.4 billion on imports of green energy products […]
EU exports under Free Trade Agreements surpass €1 trillion
EU trade deals mean increased exports, more stable economic relations and secure access to resources, a new report out today shows. EU exports to preferential partners for the first time surpassed €1 trillion in 2021, according to the Commission’s 2nd Annual Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Agreements. The Report also shows […]
EU agri-food trade shows strong growth in 2022
The total value of EU agri-food trade was 28.3 billion in February 2022, an 18% increase compared to the same month last year. Exports rose by 11% to 16.6 billion, while imports grew by 30% to reach 11.7 billion, reflecting a trade balance of 4.9 billion. This marks an increase of 52% compared to January […]
Sparkling wine extra-EU exports see 6% dip in 2020
In 2020, the EU’s sparkling wine exports to countries outside the EU amounted to 494 million litres, a decrease with respect to the 528 millions litres exported in 2019. This was the first decrease in sparkling wine extra-EU exports in a decade (-6% when compared with 2019), where the pandemic significantly dampened wine trade growth as many bars and restaurants […]