bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

EU

An urgent call from European trade unions: Suspend the Association Agreement with Israel
22-Jan-2025 ETUN Palestine
European trade union organisations and confederations called on the European Commission to fulfill its obligations and review the Israeli Government’s compliance with article two of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Von der Leyen announces visit to India
22-Jan-2025 Politico
The EU is keen to reactivate talks on a trade agreement with New Delhi.
IEU CEPA: A threat to the environment, indigenous peoples, and biodiversity
21-Jan-2025 Indonesia for Global Justice
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) and WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) released a joint statement raises critical concerns about the proposed Indonesia-EU CEPA. It highlights the potential negative impacts of the agreement, particularly when coupled with Indonesia’s Omnibus Law, on the environment, Indigenous communities, and biodiversity.
Indonesia welcomes WTO ruling on EU curbs on palm oil biofuel
21-Jan-2025 Antara News
Indonesia won a WTO case against the EU regarding discriminatory biofuel regulations. The WTO ruled that the EU unfairly treated Indonesian palm oil-based biofuel, which the EU had deemed unsustainable due to deforestation concerns. This ruling is expected to impact the EU’s anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) and potentially speed up trade negotiations between Indonesia and the EU.
Malaysia, EU resume negotiations for landmark free trade deal
21-Jan-2025 The Star
Malaysia and the EU have resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (MEUFTA). This renewed effort aims to strengthen economic ties, boost Malaysian exports (especially in electronics, palm oil, and scientific equipment), and attract EU investment in sectors like green energy and advanced manufacturing.
UK’s Starmer wants speedy Donald Trump trade talks
20-Jan-2025 Politico
The prime minister wants talks with the new US president’s team to start in the weeks ahead.
Nationality to take over ideology in MEP debate on Mercosur
20-Jan-2025 Euractiv
The agricultural issue once again exposed sharp divisions within political groups in the European Parliament, as EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič faced his first grilling over the EU-Mercosur trade deal since its signing in December.
India, EU lay roadmap to strengthen trade and investment
20-Jan-2025 Live Mint
Indian Commerce Minister and European Trade Commissioner met to discuss expediting the India-EU FTA, signals a renewed push to advance negotiations on the India-EU FTA, a pact that has faced hurdles over the years due to differences on issues such as market access, tariff reductions and regulatory alignment.
PH-EU trade talks to resume February
20-Jan-2025 Manila Times
The European Union (EU) and the Philippines will resume free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in Manila next month, following an initial round in October 2024. Negotiations, paused in 2017 due to EU concerns over human rights, are targeted for completion by 2026.
EU and Mexico seal updated trade deal
18-Jan-2025 Euractiv
The EU has concluded negotiations with Mexico on an updated trade agreement, the European Commission announced in a press release.
Neocolonial EU-MERCOSUR trade deal is a blow to the climate, human rights
17-Jan-2025 Green Left
The deal reinforces the same pattern seen since the initial colonisation of Latin America, which is the pillaging of primary resources by mostly foreign interests that are then converted into higher-value industrial products to be sold for a monumental profit.
15th round of India-UK FTA talks to begin in February
16-Jan-2025 Financial Express
The negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the UK are expected to resume in early February, after months of pause due to the general election in the UK, a senior official said.
India-EU FTA negotiations a tough nut to crack as key issues unresolved
15-Jan-2025 Business Standard
Despite nine intense rounds of negotiations over two-and-a-half years, progress on the proposed free trade agreement negotiations between India and the European Union is now on a slow track over fundamental differences.
Thai CSOs warn the senate’s subcommittee about the ongoing FTA negotiation with the EU on TRIPs-plus provisions harmful to access to medicines
10-Jan-2025 Access to Medicines
FTA Watch representatives warned that stricter IP rules in a potential EU FTA could impact access to medicines, increase healthcare costs, and harm Thailand’s domestic pharmaceutical industry. They also highlighted concerns about EU demands regarding government procurement, plant variety protection (UPOV 1991), and import of remanufactured goods.
Tractors head towards Paris in protest against the EU-Mercosur deal
7-Jan-2025 Euronews
One of France’s largest farmers’ unions is seeking guarantees from the prime minister’s office that it will defend a form of agriculture focused on protecting small farmers, who say are being crushed by free trade.
Indonesia-EU trade pact deadline pushed to first half of 2025
7-Jan-2025 Jakarta Globe
Indonesia has delayed the completion of its trade agreement with the European Union (EU), now aiming to conclude negotiations by mid-2025. While 85% of the agreement is reportedly finalized, disagreements on export/import restrictions and investment conditions remain. The EU’s concerns about Indonesian palm oil production, particularly related to deforestation, have also been a point of contention.
The EU’s lust for Indonesia’s nickel supply
7-Jan-2025 EU Observer
The EU desires open access to Indonesian nickel, crucial for its green transition, yet criticizes extractive practices in the Global South. Indonesia, however, seeks to develop its own processing industries and restrict raw material exports.
Lithuania is against EU-Mercosur trade deal, says minister
2-Jan-2025 LRT
Lithuania should not back the ratification of the free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc, Agriculture Minister Ignas Hofmanas has said.
The Mercosur trade deal risks derailing the EU’s plan to protect the world’s forests
23-Dec-2024 Client Earth
The EU-Mercosur trade deal does not only contradicts the EU’s flagship legislation against global deforestation but will potentially force the European Commission and EU Member States into legal and political disputes over its implementation.
EU, Switzerland agree deal to strengthen trade ties
23-Dec-2024 Reuters
Switzerland and the European Union said they had reached a deal to strengthen their trade ties, overcoming Swiss concerns about immigration and opening the door for the biggest overhaul of bilateral relations in years.