In a significant development for international trade, the European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to initiate negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Announced on April 10, 2025, this move aims to strengthen economic ties between the two entities, focusing on enhancing trade in goods and services, investment, and […]
EU and UAE Launch Free Trade Talks Read More »
As the Trump administration revives its aggressive trade posture, non-tariff barriers have come to the center of U.S. trade demands. This week, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has ramped up pressure on the European Union, urging it to scrap key environmental regulations that the U.S. sees as unfair obstacles to trade—most
USTR Pressures EU to Dismantle Green Regulations in Exchange for Tariff Relief Read More »
Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton has joined a group of U.S. lawmakers in voicing strong opposition to the European Union’s Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), arguing that it places unfair burdens on American industries and threatens billions of dollars in exports. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Cotton and his colleagues warned that the EU’s
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton lashes out at EU deforestation rules Read More »
The European Union has postponed the first hefty import tariffs – a counter-reaction to the American tariffs on steel and aluminium – until mid-April. This gives the EU two weeks more time to negotiate with the United States. The tariffs are two different import tariffs, according to the Reuters news agency. The first levy would
EU postpones first import tariffs on American products until mid-April Read More »
The European Union is going to invest over 4.7 billion euros in South Africa. Of that, 4 billion euros is intended to finance the transition to clean energy. The other 700 million euros will go to stimulate the production of vaccinations. This is what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced in Cape
EU to invest 4.7bn euro in South Africa Read More »
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday that the European Union and India are committed to finalizing a free-trade agreement by the end of the year. Speaking in New Delhi during her two-day visit, von der Leyen emphasized that strengthening ties with India is a strategic priority for Europe. She described the
EU and India aim to seal free trade agreement by the end of the year Read More »
The European Commission has announced it will release 1 million euros on Wednesday to fight bird flu in Vietnam. European Commissioner for Health David Byrne announced this in the European Parliament. The bird flu is already raging through nine Asian countries, where a total of some 6.6 billion chickens live/lived. The number of infections in wild
Bird flu: EU donates 1 million euros to Vietnam Read More »
The European Union (EU) and Malaysia have officially resumed negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to enhance economic cooperation and unlock new trade opportunities. The talks, which were previously suspended in 2012, are expected to address key issues such as market access, investment protection, and digital trade. Key Priorities of the Negotiations include
EU and Malaysia Relaunch Trade Talks Read More »
In the United States, the Biden administration has announced a new climate target. The U.S. already committed to zeroing out its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The new American interim NDC now foresees to change this from 50 – 52% by 2030, based on the country’s 2005 greenhouse gas emission levels, to 61 – 66%
Just before leaving office, Biden sets new climate goal Read More »
Writing for EU Observer, Frances Li rails against the EU’s new carbon tariff carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). She notes: “The EU prides itself in its progressive values, including its commitment to sustainable development. However, its incoming deforestation regulation and carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) disproportionately burden developing countries–and within them, smaller and medium sized
EU “climate tariff” CBAM increasingly under fire Read More »