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This study examines the extent to which the EU’s legal framework and Member States’ practices on dual-use export controls align with their respective legal obligations, particularly as they relate to conflict-affected regions. There is a lack of high-quality data on EU trade in dual-use goods. While the EU’s annual report has improved in recent years, it continues to lack granularity regarding what is actually exported. Some Member States produce annual reports, including a few that offer a good ...

Located in south-east Asia, Indonesia is the world's fourth biggest country by population, but only 33rd among EU (European Union) trading partners, well behind even other countries in the region. Data on trade in services and on foreign direct investment (FDI) also point to untapped potential between the EU and the fifth biggest Asian economy. After almost a decade of negotiations, in September 2025 the EU and Indonesia announced the conclusion of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership ...

With trade fundamental for its prosperity, the EU promotes an open economy and supports a multilateral rules-based order. The EU is a founder of and key player in the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, to overcome trade barriers, level the playing field for its businesses and promote international commitments on trade and sustainable development the EU has a network of more than 40 free trade agreements (FTAs), with other negotiations ongoing.

The domestic support systems in agriculture are governed by the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), which entered into force in 1995 and was negotiated during the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations that led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization (1986-1994). The long-term goal of the AoA is to establish a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system and to initiate a reform process through the negotiations of commitments on support and protection, and through the ...

The EU’s development policy stresses the importance of trade, and focuses on the countries most in need. The Generalised Scheme of Preferences gives some goods from developing countries preferential access to the EU market. Economic Partnership Agreements ensure preferential commercial treatment for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, while the Everything But Arms scheme applies to least developed countries. These schemes are in line with World Trade Organization rules.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) works to guarantee a rules-based international trading system. Despite the impasse in trade negotiations, ways to modernise WTO rules and address new global challenges are being explored. Under the Lisbon Treaty, Parliament legislates jointly with the Council, has to approve any changes or new WTO agreements and has an important scrutiny role on international trade policy.

This infographic offers insight into the economic performance of nine countries from the Southern African Development Community (SADC-9) and the European Union (EU), examining the trade dynamics among them. Among the nine countries, DR Congo had the highest GDP growth in 2024 at 6.5%, followed by Angola at 4.4%. Since 2020, trade in services have recorded a steady increase, whereas the imports and exports of goods experienced rapid growth after the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to revert to pre-2020 ...

On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also ...

A series of recent economic and geopolitical shocks have led to rising fragmentation of global trade, whereby countries tend to boost economic ties with those sharing similar political values, economic policies and security interests. While a broad retreat from globalisation is not taking place, there are some signs of reconfiguration of supply chains along geopolitical lines. This is likely to have pronounced effects for EU economy due to its openness and high level of integration into global value ...