Last April 9th, EU Member States have voted in favour of the European Commission’s proposal to introduce trade countermeasures against the United States. The Commission’s proposal was made in response to the March decision by the US to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from the EU. The EU considers US tariffs unjustified […]
New Directorate General to Strengthen Mediterranean and Gulf Ties
Following President von der Leyen’s call for a more focused approach to the EU’s wider neighbourhood, especially the Mediterranean, with a Commissioner in the new College dedicated to this portfolio, the European Commission has set up a new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA). In line with the President’s Political Guidelines […]
Belarus: EU imposes new sanctions
The Council adopted restrictive measures targeting the Belarusian economy, in view of the regime’s involvement in Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. These comprehensive measures aim at mirroring several of the restrictive measures already in place against Russia, and thereby address the issue of circumvention stemming from the high degree of […]
EU agri-food trade achieved a record surplus in 2023
EU agri-food trade balance reached its record level in 2023, according to the latest report published by the European Commission. After a good performance of the EU agri-food trade in 2022, the most recent report released by the European Commission indicates that the EU agri-food trade balance reached its record level in 2023. EU exports reached […]
EU trade in goods with China: Less deficit in 2023
In 2023, the EU trade in goods deficit with China stood at €291 billion, which was €106 billion lower when compared with 2022 (-27%). Between 2013 and 2023, the EU’s trade in goods deficit with China varied between €104 billion in 2013 and €397 billion in 2022, the highest value in the decade. In 2023, […]
EU and US take stock of trade and technology cooperation
The European Union and the United States held the fifth meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Washington, D.C. The meeting allowed ministers to take stock of the progress of the TTC’s work and to provide political steer on key priorities for the next TTC Ministerial meeting, which will take place in […]
EU agriculture and fisheries ministers discuss trade, forests and the future of agriculture
Belgian presidency work programme The Belgian presidency presented its work programme for the first half of the year in the field of agriculture and fisheries. During this period, the Belgian presidency will focus on ensuring food security and autonomy, as well as on further enhancing the sustainability of food production and consumption. In this context, […]
Rare earths trade increased in the European Union by 2022
In 2022, the EU witnessed a significant increase in the import of rare earth elements (REE+). A total of 18 thousand tonnes were imported, a 9% increase from 2021, and 7 thousand tonnes exported, a decrease of 8% compared with the previous year. The value of imports surged to €146 million, marking a 37% rise compared with 2021, while exports […]
Competitive EU agri-food sector achieves high level of diversification in trade
The EU’s high level of trade diversification, showcased in a European Commission report published today, supports a competitive and resilient EU agri-food sector. Trading key commodities, such as food, with a wide array of partners minimises supply chain risks and vulnerabilities. In the case of agrifood products, it strengthens resilience by not creating unnecessary dependencies […]