According to a new report by the European Court of Auditors, many difficulties remain to be resolved in the collection of the correct amounts of VAT and customs duties in e-commerce. In particular, EU controls are insufficient to prevent fraud and detect abuse, and the implementation of recovery measures is not yet effective. However, recent […]
EU leading in global agri-food trade
In a report published recently, the EU confirms for yet another year its position as largest global exporter of agri-food products, with EU exports reaching €138 billion in 2018. Agriculture products represent a solid share of 7% of the value of EU total goods exported in 2018, ranking fourth after machinery, other manufactured goods and […]
EU-U.S. trade talks: One year on, the Commission presents progress report
This week marks the first anniversary of the Joint Statement by President Juncker and President Trump, which launched the new phase in the relationship between the United States and the European Union. One year on, a series of concrete actions have been achieved, taking the trillion-dollar transatlantic trade relationship to the next level.A report on […]
Globalisation: how the EU’s trade policy helps to promote human rights
International trade and globalisation have great potential to create jobs in the EU and beyond. Yet, growing global competition can endanger human rights by for example leading to worker exploitation. As human rights are a priority of its foreign policy, the EU uses its trade policy to promote and protect human rights in non-EU countries […]
Barriers to trade: as protectionism rises, EU continues opening up export markets for European firms
The European Commission’s report released confirms the continuous rise in barriers encountered by European companies in foreign markets. Thanks to the EU’s firm response, 123 such barriers have been eliminated since the beginning of the current Commission mandate, allowing for more than €6 billion extra exports in 2018. The latest edition of the Trade […]
Food: protecting farmers and small firms from unfair trading practices
Farmers and small food businesses are vulnerable to unfair trading practices. MEPs vote this week on new rules to help protect them. Unfair trading practices occur in all sectors, but are especially problematic in the food supply chain, as agricultural producers may be put under undue economic pressure. On Tuesday 12 March, MEPs vote […]