Rob Francis
@robfranciseu.bsky.social
Managing editor and Brussels editor for Borderlex covering EU trade policy and coordinating coverage in across London, Geneva, and much else besides. Recovering lobbyist. Occasional meme maker. Season ticket holder Union Saint-Gilloise and Belgium
Agenda for EU trade ministers meeting on 24 November focuses on China and US relations. Will US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick really come for lunch? The EU certainly hopes so! data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu
November 10, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Agenda for EU trade ministers meeting on 24 November focuses on China and US relations. Will US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick really come for lunch? The EU certainly hopes so! data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
EU member states will agree on Thursday to end the customs 'de minimis' rule which allows packages worth less than €150 to enter the EU duty-free. Will only enter into force once the EU customs data hub is up and running, likely 2028
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
EU member states will agree on Thursday to end the customs 'de minimis' rule which allows packages worth less than €150 to enter the EU duty-free. Will only enter into force once the EU customs data hub is up and running, likely 2028
This week in EU trade news you may have missed:
📌Foreign subsidies probe
📌EU-UK vote in parliament committees
📌EC report on FTAs
📌Aluminium export duty delay
borderlex.net/2025/11/07/w...
📌Foreign subsidies probe
📌EU-UK vote in parliament committees
📌EC report on FTAs
📌Aluminium export duty delay
borderlex.net/2025/11/07/w...
Week in Brussels: Foreign subsidies probe, UK, EC FTA report, aluminium update - Borderlex - European trade policy
A roundup of the week's trade news from Brussels
borderlex.net
November 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM
This week in EU trade news you may have missed:
📌Foreign subsidies probe
📌EU-UK vote in parliament committees
📌EC report on FTAs
📌Aluminium export duty delay
borderlex.net/2025/11/07/w...
📌Foreign subsidies probe
📌EU-UK vote in parliament committees
📌EC report on FTAs
📌Aluminium export duty delay
borderlex.net/2025/11/07/w...
The EU is consolodating its trade outreach to the Gulf, offering "strategic partnership deals" in case FTA talks are not fruitful. More by me here 👇🏻 borderlex.net/2025/11/06/e...
November 6, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The EU is consolodating its trade outreach to the Gulf, offering "strategic partnership deals" in case FTA talks are not fruitful. More by me here 👇🏻 borderlex.net/2025/11/06/e...
How can it be that the wifi on an Iberia plane going over the Pyrenees is so much better than wifi on a Eurostar train?
November 5, 2025 at 9:20 AM
How can it be that the wifi on an Iberia plane going over the Pyrenees is so much better than wifi on a Eurostar train?
Reposted by Rob Francis
Well the opposition to the EU’s coming permanent steel quotas and tariffs won’t be coming from the @europarl.europa.eu : @robfranciseu.bsky.social on MEPs plans for the new EU regulation #EUSteel
MEPs back commission's steel tariff hike despite WTO friction - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Parliament's rapporteur for the draft legislation to increase the EU's steel tariffs and reduce duty-free quotas said she backs the main elements of the proposal.
f.mtr.cool
November 5, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Well the opposition to the EU’s coming permanent steel quotas and tariffs won’t be coming from the @europarl.europa.eu : @robfranciseu.bsky.social on MEPs plans for the new EU regulation #EUSteel
Divisions as MEPs discuss draft legislation implementing lower tariffs for US goods. European Parliament and member states both need to agree before tariff reductions can enter into force. More by us below borderlex.net/2025/11/04/m...
MEPs divided on approach to continued US steel and aluminium tariffs - Borderlex - European trade policy
Members of the European Parliament have started debating regulation to eliminate tariffs on US imports as part of this summer’s Turnberry deal between president Trump and the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen...
borderlex.net
November 4, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Divisions as MEPs discuss draft legislation implementing lower tariffs for US goods. European Parliament and member states both need to agree before tariff reductions can enter into force. More by us below borderlex.net/2025/11/04/m...
S&D want to exempt US steel imports from the 0% duty until Washington reduces its steel tariffs from 50% to 15%. But the EPP disagrees, preferring “dialogue”. Other minor disagreements over safeguards but for now most of Lange’s report has backing from majority of groups
November 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
S&D want to exempt US steel imports from the 0% duty until Washington reduces its steel tariffs from 50% to 15%. But the EPP disagrees, preferring “dialogue”. Other minor disagreements over safeguards but for now most of Lange’s report has backing from majority of groups
Reducing tariffs on US goods will cost the EU €4 billion a year. "Trade is important but shouldn't come at the expense of budget stability” said MEP @danusenerudova.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reducing tariffs on US goods will cost the EU €4 billion a year. "Trade is important but shouldn't come at the expense of budget stability” said MEP @danusenerudova.bsky.social
Slightly surreal debate right now in the European Parliament's trade committee where MEPs are discussing an agreement with South Africa (the clean trade and investment partnership) that they haven't actually seen yet - the council of course has and will approve it later this month - EP has no role
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Slightly surreal debate right now in the European Parliament's trade committee where MEPs are discussing an agreement with South Africa (the clean trade and investment partnership) that they haven't actually seen yet - the council of course has and will approve it later this month - EP has no role
The CPTPP has so many applicants that it is now mulling setting up a secretariat - great scoop from our roving Pacific reporter (he wishes!) @chrishorseman.bsky.social borderlex.net/2025/11/03/c...
CPTPP members mull forming secretariat as applicant numbers swell - Borderlex - European trade policy
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borderlex.net
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The CPTPP has so many applicants that it is now mulling setting up a secretariat - great scoop from our roving Pacific reporter (he wishes!) @chrishorseman.bsky.social borderlex.net/2025/11/03/c...
Austria still not happy with the EU's deforestation regulation, despite the commission's recent efforts to simplify the law. Issue will be discussed tomorrow with other EU environment ministers data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu
November 3, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Austria still not happy with the EU's deforestation regulation, despite the commission's recent efforts to simplify the law. Issue will be discussed tomorrow with other EU environment ministers data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
European carmakers warn assembly line shutdowns are "days away" amid China's ongoing export ban of Nexperia chips borderlex.net/2025/10/29/c...
Carmakers warn assembly lines face imminent shutdown over China chip blockade - Borderlex - Leading news and analysis on trade policy in Europe
European carmakers warned that assembly line stoppages are “days away” as China continues to block exports of basic chips produced by the Dutch company Nexperia.
borderlex.net
October 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
European carmakers warn assembly line shutdowns are "days away" amid China's ongoing export ban of Nexperia chips borderlex.net/2025/10/29/c...
As former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson used to say, it's now "squeaky bum time" when it comes to concluding the EU-India trade pact by the end of the year. More developments today 👇🏻 borderlex.net/2025/10/28/e...
EU sends top trade official to India to break tariff deadlock - Borderlex - Leading news and analysis on trade policy in Europe
An EU team led by the commission’s top trade official will travel to India next week in an attempt to conclude talks on industrial tariffs, with both aiming to conclude a trade agreement by the end of...
borderlex.net
October 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
As former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson used to say, it's now "squeaky bum time" when it comes to concluding the EU-India trade pact by the end of the year. More developments today 👇🏻 borderlex.net/2025/10/28/e...
EU technical team led by director-general of trade Sabine Weyand will travel to India next week with a view to conclude the industrial tariff chapter of the future EU-India trade agreement. Trade in goods has been one of the (many) sticking points. Aim is to conclude the pact by year-end
October 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
EU technical team led by director-general of trade Sabine Weyand will travel to India next week with a view to conclude the industrial tariff chapter of the future EU-India trade agreement. Trade in goods has been one of the (many) sticking points. Aim is to conclude the pact by year-end
In admittedly unsurprising news EU businesses say US tariffs have reduced business confidence in transatlantic trade, with the main challenges including "tariff volatility, uncertainty and instability in US trade policy, and administrative and customs burdens" borderlex.net/2025/10/27/u...
US tariffs erode EU business confidence in transatlantic trade, survey finds - Borderlex - Leading news and analysis on trade policy in Europe
The tariff policies of the United States have reduced business confidence in the transatlantic trade relationship, according to a survey of EU businesses conducted by BusinessEurope.
borderlex.net
October 28, 2025 at 6:50 AM
In admittedly unsurprising news EU businesses say US tariffs have reduced business confidence in transatlantic trade, with the main challenges including "tariff volatility, uncertainty and instability in US trade policy, and administrative and customs burdens" borderlex.net/2025/10/27/u...
EU-Mercosur agri safeguards fall short, according to a legal analysis commissioned by the NGO CAN Europe. The proof necessary for the SGs are "highly demanding, lacks legal certainty, and fails to adequately address concerns for the agricultural sector” caneurope.org/content/uplo...
caneurope.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:47 AM
EU-Mercosur agri safeguards fall short, according to a legal analysis commissioned by the NGO CAN Europe. The proof necessary for the SGs are "highly demanding, lacks legal certainty, and fails to adequately address concerns for the agricultural sector” caneurope.org/content/uplo...
This week in EU trade policy news you may have missed:
📌EU-China talks on export controls
📌EU summit gossip
📌EU-Egypt eye investment pact
📌MEPs wave through law curbing Russian gas imports borderlex.net/2025/10/24/w...
📌EU-China talks on export controls
📌EU summit gossip
📌EU-Egypt eye investment pact
📌MEPs wave through law curbing Russian gas imports borderlex.net/2025/10/24/w...
Week in Brussels: Chinese export controls, EU summit, Egypt, Russian gas - Borderlex - Leading news and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Borderlex's weeky roundup of EU trade policy news
borderlex.net
October 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
This week in EU trade policy news you may have missed:
📌EU-China talks on export controls
📌EU summit gossip
📌EU-Egypt eye investment pact
📌MEPs wave through law curbing Russian gas imports borderlex.net/2025/10/24/w...
📌EU-China talks on export controls
📌EU summit gossip
📌EU-Egypt eye investment pact
📌MEPs wave through law curbing Russian gas imports borderlex.net/2025/10/24/w...
EP trade committee chair says the US should first lower its 50% metals tariffs to 15% BEFORE the EU lowers its tariffs to 0% in line with the EU-US joint statement. More below borderlex.net/2025/10/23/e...
EU-US tariffs - Parliament trade chief: US needs to reduce steel tariffs first - Borderlex - Leading news and analysis on trade policy in Europe
The chair of the European Parliament's international trade committee said the European Union should not eliminate its tariffs on imports from the United States unless Washington first reduces its 50% ...
borderlex.net
October 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
EP trade committee chair says the US should first lower its 50% metals tariffs to 15% BEFORE the EU lowers its tariffs to 0% in line with the EU-US joint statement. More below borderlex.net/2025/10/23/e...
Two key trade takeaways from yesterday's EU-Egypt summit related to sustainable investment facilitation talks and Cairo's support for WTO plurilateral on investment facilitation
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Two key trade takeaways from yesterday's EU-Egypt summit related to sustainable investment facilitation talks and Cairo's support for WTO plurilateral on investment facilitation
MEPs reject compromise struck by EPP, S&D and Renew, casting doubt on the bloc's deregulation push. A rare day of genuine political drama in Strasbourg borderlex.net/2025/10/22/p...
Parliament rejects CSDDD compromise, throwing simplification efforts into doubt - Borderlex - Leading news and analysis on trade policy in Europe
The European Parliament narrowly rejected an agreement struck by three major political groups to simplify corporate sustainability due diligence and reporting laws.
borderlex.net
October 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
MEPs reject compromise struck by EPP, S&D and Renew, casting doubt on the bloc's deregulation push. A rare day of genuine political drama in Strasbourg borderlex.net/2025/10/22/p...
For once some genuine drama in the parliament linked to a legislative file. Whatever next.
Wow, MEPs reject the agreement reached on the due diligence and corporate reporting omnibus by 9 votes. Agreement had been struck between EPP, S&D and Renew but was voted down by Conservative, far right and far left lawmakers. Back to the drawing board!
October 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
For once some genuine drama in the parliament linked to a legislative file. Whatever next.
Wow, MEPs reject the agreement reached on the due diligence and corporate reporting omnibus by 9 votes. Agreement had been struck between EPP, S&D and Renew but was voted down by Conservative, far right and far left lawmakers. Back to the drawing board!
October 22, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Wow, MEPs reject the agreement reached on the due diligence and corporate reporting omnibus by 9 votes. Agreement had been struck between EPP, S&D and Renew but was voted down by Conservative, far right and far left lawmakers. Back to the drawing board!
Hungary, Romania and Slovakia want the commission to introduce safeguards covering imports of agricultural products from Ukraine within the DCFTA - similar to that which the commission proposed recently on Mercosur imports. Letter from the 3 MS here data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu
October 22, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Hungary, Romania and Slovakia want the commission to introduce safeguards covering imports of agricultural products from Ukraine within the DCFTA - similar to that which the commission proposed recently on Mercosur imports. Letter from the 3 MS here data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
Sharing this here from X because the commission’s comms on bluesky is, well, ‘suboptimal’
October 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Sharing this here from X because the commission’s comms on bluesky is, well, ‘suboptimal’