Eu Alert - Trade

This newsletter provides a selection of opinions and analysis from our EU legal experts on interesting policy developments, recent case law and new regulatory directions of major industry practices. It is released biweekly and covers areas such as: Competition Law, Sanctions, Trade, Energy, Finance, EU funds, Data IP and Privacy, Life Sciences, Transport and Court of Justice of the European Union news.

The aim is to provide an up–to–date tool for quick and easy consultation on the most current and important topics at EU level.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
 (EC)EU-Japan cooperation continues to strengthen under Economic Partnership Agreement (16.07.2024) – The fifth meeting of the Joint Committee established under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) heard that bilateral trade and investment relations continue to expand and deepen. The meeting, co-chaired by European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis (the EU commissioner for trade), and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa, reiterated the increasing strategic importance of the EPA, particularly at a time when challenges to rules-based trade are increasing globally. The EU and Japan also exchanged views on economic security issues; they recalled the close cooperation established under the EU-Japan High Level Economic Dialogue and the Working Group on transparent, resilient and sustainable supply chains, and reiterated the importance of the G7 and WTO in strengthening the international rules-based order and ensuring a global level-playing field. Both sides welcomed the progress achieved on the Worl Trade Organization E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative.

The European Commission imposes provisional countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China while discussions with China continue (04.07.2024) – The European Commission has imposed provisional countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China. Based on the investigation, the Commission has concluded that the BEV value chain in China benefits from unfair subsidisation, which is causing a threat of economic injury to EU BEV producers. The investigation has also examined the likely consequences and impact of these measures on importers, users and consumers of BEVs in the EU. The individual duties applying to the three sampled Chinese producers are: (i)BYD: 17.4%;(ii) Geely: 19.9%; (iii)SAIC: 37.6%. Other BEV producers in China, which cooperated in the investigation but were not sampled, are subject to the 20.8% weighted average duty. The duty for other non-cooperating companies is 37.6%.

Ambitious EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement enters into force (01.07.2024) – The EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has entered into force, representing a key milestone in the EU-Kenya Strategic Partnership. The agreement will boost bilateral trade in goods, increase investment flows, strengthen the ties between reliable partners, and facilitate mutually advantageous economic relations in a sustainable manner, stimulating job creation and economic growth. The EPA will also create more opportunities for Kenyan businesses and exporters, as it will fully open the EU market for Kenyan products and incentivise EU investment in Kenya thanks to increased legal certainty and stability.

EU-Japan deal on data flows enters into force (01.07.2024) – This deal is a milestone in our joint efforts to advance the digitalisation of European and Japanese societies and economies. Its provisions will facilitate business on both sides, sending a strong signal against digital protectionism. With its inclusion in the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the agreement will deliver real benefits to companies active across most sectors, such as financial services, transport, machinery, and e-commerce. Businesses can now handle data more efficiently, without cumbersome administrative or storage requirements, in a predictable legal environment. This entry into force of this agreement also promotes the concept of ‘Data Free Flow with Trust’, a guiding principle for international cooperation on data flows, based on our shared values. It allows us to lay the foundation for a common approach on digital trade, acting against arbitrary unjustified restrictions to data flows, while promoting shared prosperity.

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