The European Commission is trumpeting what it sees as another success of its engage-and-disarm strategy against the administration of US President Trump, with the resolution of a dispute over an EU quota for hormone-free beef.
Australia & New Zealand
EU Australia FTA: Labour and environmental issues come into focus
Compared to the ongoing free trade agreement negotiation process with New Zealand, the European Union’s trade talks with Australia are advancing slowly. It’s clear Brussels and Canberra are taking the time they need to bridge wide gaps in the way they conceive some international trade and investment issues. One of …
GIs vs market access: Battle lines drawn as EU-NZ FTA talks progress
The EU and New Zealand are forging ahead with negotiations on a new free trade agreement, with tangible progress being reported in nearly all areas following the latest round of official-level negotiations.
Oceania, US cheese producers riled by new Danish Havarti cheese protection
A Danish cheese is at the centre of the latest international controversy over EU policy on Geographical Indications. A European Commission committee has cleared the way for ‘Havarti’ – a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese – to be recognised as a Protected Geographical Indication, joining almost 3,400 other regional products …
New EU agriculture coalition turns its fire on FTAs
A cross-sector coalition of agricultural industry groups has launched a new body dedicated to protecting European agricultural markets by focusing mainly on concerns over production standards in exporting countries. The Alliance for the Defence of European Agriculture – ADEA – was created in Brussels late last week, bringing together farm …
CPTPP members might not invite UK to join due to Brexit confusion
The United Kingdom’s musings about the desirability of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership post-Brexit could be rendered academic – because the 11 CPTPP countries may decide not to invite the UK to join, according to a leading trade analyst.
Week Ahead in EU trade: US auto tariff deadline, e-commerce, New Zealand, Mercosur
We are looking at a packed week in EU trade. There will be two important negotiations rounds and a few critical meetings in Brussels.
EU FTA negotiations with Australia and New Zealand – state of play report
The EU’s Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand are now fully engaged, almost a year after their official launch. The ‘mood music’ in the negotiations is positive, with all three parties consistently emphasising the desirability of an FTA, and how closely aligned the countries already are in …
Prosecco and Gorgonzola wars: how Europe’s GIs are complicating FTA talks with Australia and New Zealand
The Geographical Indications issue will not prevent the European Union concluding Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand – but it is nevertheless likely to be a major complicating factor. This is the view shared by officials and stakeholders on both sides as the talks, which were launched last …
Week in Brussels: Australia and New Zealand FTAs, Cambodian textiles, US-Japan-EU trilateral
This week was dominated by news on European trade defence policy and by a shift in sentiment in Britain over a customs union with the EU – with ramifications for the Department for International Trade. Other bits of news below. EU-Australia negotiations: third round The EU and Australia held a …
