The Commission welcomes the agreement reached last Thursdaybetween the European Parliament and the Council, which marks ahistoricreformofthe EU Customs Union. Thisreform, the most ambitious overhaul of EU customs rules since 1968, introduces new measures for e-commerce and establishes a modern, data-driven customs architecture that simplifies procedures and improves efficiency.Withthese fundamental improvements,Europeancustomswill beready toadapttothechanginglandscapeof international trade. […]
The EU-Mercosur agreement will be provisionally applied from 1 May 2026
The European Union has notified the Mercosur countries of the instrument for the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement. By sending its ‘note verbale’ to Paraguay, the legal depositary of Mercosur treaties, the European Commission has taken the final procedural step required for the provisional application of the agreement, in accordance with the […]
MEPs support the reduction of tariffs on US agricultural and industrial products.
On Thursday, the Committee on International Trade adopted its position on two proposals implementing certain tariff aspects of the Turnberry trade agreement between the EU and the US. MEPs on the Committee on International Trade adopted their position ontwo legislative proposalsthat remove most tariffs on industrial and agricultural products from the United States, with 29 […]
EP approves safeguards to protect European agriculture in Mercosur agreement
On Tuesday, the plenary session approved safeguard measures to prevent harm to European farmers when implementing the trade agreement with Mercosur. Under the new regulation, approved by 483 votes in favour, 102 against and 67 abstentions and informally agreed with the Council, the tariff preferences provided for in the EU-Mercosur trade agreement for imports of […]
EU and India conclude landmark Free Trade Agreement
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 […]
EU proposes tariff reductions to implement EU-US deal
Last August 28, the European Commission is putting forward two proposals paving the way for the implementation of the EU-US Joint Statement of 21 August 2025. These proposals are the first steps in said implementation and ensure tariff relief by the US for the vital EU automotive sector starting retroactively from 1st of August. These steps […]
EU-US trade deal
On 27 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald J. Trump agreed a deal on tariffs and trade. The transatlantic partnership is a key artery of global trade and is the most significant bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world. EU-US trade in goods and services has doubled over the last decade, surpassing €1.6 trillion in 2024, […]
EP calls for addressing China’s restrictions on rare earth exports
Parliament is concerned about China’s export restrictions on key raw materials and the impact on the EU economy. On 4 April 2025, China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in the defence, energy and automotive sectors in response to increased US tariffs on Chinese products. Under the new rules, exporters […]
Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarussian agricultural goods
MEPs backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods on Thursday, seeking to reduce EU dependency on those imports. Plenary has endorsed the Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The aim is to […]