The EU customs reform has come into force, marking the start of a better, smarter and simpler customs system across the EU. Following its formal adoption by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, the reform was published in the Official Journal on 19 September and will be phased in from 21 […]
Substantial agreement reached on the EU–Philippines trade agreement
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 […]
The Commission welcomes the historic agreement to reform the EU Customs Union
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Statement by President von der Leyen on the announcement of universal tariffs by the US
“President Trump’s announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, including the EU, is a major blow to the world economy. I deeply regret this choice. Let’s be clear-eyed about the immense consequences. The global economy will massively suffer. Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for […]
Tariffs on agricultural products and fertilisers, new measures against Russia and Belarus
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to impose tariffs on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain nitrogen-based fertilisers. The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023 that had not yet been subject to increased tariffs. Once adopted by the Council, […]
The EU challenges China at the WTO over tariffs on the high-tech sector
The European Commission has requested consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) aiming to remove unfair and illegal trade practices by China in the sphere of intellectual property. China has empowered its courts to set binding worldwide royalty rates for EU standard essential patents, without the consent of the patent owner. This pressures innovative European high-tech companies […]
EU and U.S. agree to suspend all tariffs linked to the Airbus and Boeing disputes
The EU and U.S. agreed today to suspend all retaliatory tariffs on EU and U.S. exports imposed in the Airbus and Boeing disputes for a four-month period. The suspension allows both sides to focus on resolving this long-running dispute and it provides as well an important boost to EU exporters, since the U.S. had been […]









