Snapshot: European Union trade agreements and negotiations in 2021

08.01.2021

New Year, New EU Trade Map! Take a look at the trade agreements and negotiations taking place worldwide.

European Union - China 

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The EU reached an investment deal with China in late December 2020 that will boost access to a consumer market of 1.4 billion.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) creates a better balance in EU-China trade relations and commits China to ambitious principles on sustainability, transparency and non-discrimination.

In particular, it will integrate commitments in the area of labour, including the commitment by China to pursue ratification of the ILO fundamental Conventions on forced labour. This is an unprecedented outcome, China has never committed to this with any trade partner!

 

European Union - Australia  

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Meanwhile, work towards a comprehensive European Union – Australia Free Trade Agreement continues. The ninth round of negotiations took place online from 30 November to 11 December. Around 60 EU negotiators took part in 20 different groups. Negotiations covered most areas of the future agreement, including technical barriers to trade, sustainable development, goods, public procurement, rules of origin, and intellectual property rights.

You can access the latest EU-Trade report here 

The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place from 8-19 March 2021.