EU

European Union

Europeans say significant obstacles remain to Mercosur trade deal
An EU diplomat said Mercosur resistance to European proposals on automobile exports and geographic product indicators were also sticking points.
Statement of Trade Justice Pilipinas : Human rights should be central to EU- Philippines partnership
Trade Justice Pilipinas is alarmed over reports that the European Union is wavering on its commitment to protect and promote human rights in the context of its long-term strategic partnership with the Philippines.
ASEAN countries unconvinced by EU trade pact
South East Asian countries are dragging their feet on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, with officials saying that the countries still need to be convinced of the benefits of the region-to-region deal.
Multilateral investment court: Council gives mandate to the Commission to open negotiations
The Council adopted the negotiating directives authorising the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the EU, a convention establishing a multilateral court for the settlement of investment disputes.
Geographical indications: EU digs in on FTA until label issue resolved
There will be no Australia-­European Union free-trade deal unless Europe wins exclusive use of key food and wine names, a top European official has warned.
After Achmea: The need for an EU investment protection regulation
Now that the CJEU decided that investment treaty arbitration based on intra-EU BITs is not compatible with EU law, the focus of attention must shift towards the domestic courts of the Member States as the guardians of protecting the rights of European investors.
MEPs back Ukraine-style ‘association’ deal for post-Brexit UK
The European Parliament has backed a Ukraine-style “association agreement” as the model for future EU-UK relations after Brexit.
EP wants to include gender equality in free-trade agreements
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution to better account for gender equality in trade agreements. The commission could follow up on the resolution in its agreement with Chile.
China, EU close to BIT: reports
Despite rising concerns about Chinese investment among some European officials, China and the EU are moving fast toward completing a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) and a free trade agreement (FTA), according to media reports.
Revive trade deal talks to avoid trade war, EU urges Trump
The European Union urged the United States to revive trade talks rather than escalate a dispute over tariffs on metals and cars.