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
The European Parliament has reached a compromise on the legislation to lower tariffs on US goods - but will EU member states go along with them? With comments from Ignacio Garcia Bercero borderlex.net/2026/02/11/t...
Turnberry deal - MEP sunset clause likely flashpoint with EU capitals - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Parliament will table amendments to a European Commission proposal to implement the bloc's commitments under the tariff deal agreed with the Trump administration last summer. But will mem...
borderlex.net
February 11, 2026 at 2:11 PM
The European Parliament has reached a compromise on the legislation to lower tariffs on US goods - but will EU member states go along with them? With comments from Ignacio Garcia Bercero borderlex.net/2026/02/11/t...
EU member states rubberstamp agreement reached with MEPs on new investment screening rules. EP still needs to do its bit - expected to be a formality data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu
February 11, 2026 at 7:54 AM
EU member states rubberstamp agreement reached with MEPs on new investment screening rules. EP still needs to do its bit - expected to be a formality data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
The EPP's Gabriel Mato opposes provisional application of the EU-Mercosur pact. “We would have preferred to continue through the normal procedures in the parliament and for the parliament to have a voice and take an active role" Mato said. The "we" presumably stands for EPP...
February 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
The EPP's Gabriel Mato opposes provisional application of the EU-Mercosur pact. “We would have preferred to continue through the normal procedures in the parliament and for the parliament to have a voice and take an active role" Mato said. The "we" presumably stands for EPP...
European Parliament approves the agreement reached with the council on the procedure to initiate safeguard measures in the Mercosur pact. Drama-free for once. Then again, if they'd voted against, the procedure would be less strict than it will be now. So a no-brainer.
February 10, 2026 at 12:05 PM
European Parliament approves the agreement reached with the council on the procedure to initiate safeguard measures in the Mercosur pact. Drama-free for once. Then again, if they'd voted against, the procedure would be less strict than it will be now. So a no-brainer.
Delighted to speak to former Uruguayan foreign minister Nicolás Albertoni on why the EU-Mercosur agreement is so important. We also discussed Uruguay's broader trade policy and the dynamics within the Mercosur bloc. Article in front of the pay wall :) borderlex.net/2026/02/10/i...
INTERVIEW: Message to EU - don't delay Mercosur ratification - Borderlex - European trade policy
An interview with former Uruguayan vice minister of foreign affairs Nicolás Albertoni
borderlex.net
February 10, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Delighted to speak to former Uruguayan foreign minister Nicolás Albertoni on why the EU-Mercosur agreement is so important. We also discussed Uruguay's broader trade policy and the dynamics within the Mercosur bloc. Article in front of the pay wall :) borderlex.net/2026/02/10/i...
Former Uruguayan trade negotiator Nicolas Albertoni tells me the Mercosur countries are in a race to see who will be the first to ratify the agreement with the EU. Uruguay thinks it can do it in just over a month. The impatience is palpable
February 6, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Former Uruguayan trade negotiator Nicolas Albertoni tells me the Mercosur countries are in a race to see who will be the first to ratify the agreement with the EU. Uruguay thinks it can do it in just over a month. The impatience is palpable
A podcast about a podcast - very meta
February 6, 2026 at 9:38 AM
A podcast about a podcast - very meta
This was far from guaranteed a few weeks ago amid all the Greenland kerfuffle. Now it's sneaked out without even a commission press release borderlex.net/2026/02/05/e...
EU extends suspension of US retaliation measures to August - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Commission extended the suspension of its trade retaliation measures against the United States until 6 August.
borderlex.net
February 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM
This was far from guaranteed a few weeks ago amid all the Greenland kerfuffle. Now it's sneaked out without even a commission press release borderlex.net/2026/02/05/e...
The commission extends its suspension of retaliatory tariffs AND export restrictions (don't forget the latter) targeting the US until 6 August - EU orginally agreed the measures over the summer and then immediately suspended them until 7 Feb eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
eur-lex.europa.eu
February 5, 2026 at 2:10 PM
The commission extends its suspension of retaliatory tariffs AND export restrictions (don't forget the latter) targeting the US until 6 August - EU orginally agreed the measures over the summer and then immediately suspended them until 7 Feb eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Australian trade minister Don Farrell will be in Brussels next week "with a technical team" to finalise (maybe) trade talks with the EU. I attended a presser with Farrell at The Hotel when everything collapsed 2.5 years ago. How times have changed! But will Aussie farmers get what they want? Hmmm.
February 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Australian trade minister Don Farrell will be in Brussels next week "with a technical team" to finalise (maybe) trade talks with the EU. I attended a presser with Farrell at The Hotel when everything collapsed 2.5 years ago. How times have changed! But will Aussie farmers get what they want? Hmmm.
The EP has another opportunity next week to vent against the Mercosur deal as it votes on the agreement reached with council on the safeguards. Council rejected the EP ask for mirror measures but they are aligned on the 8% trigger to launch probes. More info here borderlex.net/category/tra...
Mercosur Archives - Borderlex - European trade policy
borderlex.net
February 5, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The EP has another opportunity next week to vent against the Mercosur deal as it votes on the agreement reached with council on the safeguards. Council rejected the EP ask for mirror measures but they are aligned on the 8% trigger to launch probes. More info here borderlex.net/category/tra...
European Parliament decides to resume discussions on the legislation lowering tariffs on US goods. Vote in committee could take place on 24 February www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
EU-US trade legislation: MEPs to resume work on Turnberry proposals | News | European Parliament
Bernd Lange, chair of Parliament’s International Trade Committee and standing rapporteur for the US, has issued the following statement regarding the EU-US trade deal.
www.europarl.europa.eu
February 4, 2026 at 2:42 PM
European Parliament decides to resume discussions on the legislation lowering tariffs on US goods. Vote in committee could take place on 24 February www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
EU official tells me he doesn’t like the term “bazooka” for the anti-coercion instrument”. It introduces “unnecessary baggage into the debate” and suggests it will solve everything if it’s used - which it won’t
February 3, 2026 at 2:28 PM
EU official tells me he doesn’t like the term “bazooka” for the anti-coercion instrument”. It introduces “unnecessary baggage into the debate” and suggests it will solve everything if it’s used - which it won’t
European Commission to carry out an “in depth” probe under the foreign subsidies regulation, looking into a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer borderlex.net/2026/02/03/e...
EU deepens anti-subsidy probe into Chinese wind turbine maker - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Commission announced an in-depth investigation into a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer suspected of unfairly subsidising its European subsidiary.
borderlex.net
February 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
European Commission to carry out an “in depth” probe under the foreign subsidies regulation, looking into a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer borderlex.net/2026/02/03/e...
Packed house for our Borderlex Academy event in Brussels today and tomorrow, diving into economic security and FTAs among others and hearing from experts in the field. If you want to know more about future editions get in touch
February 3, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Packed house for our Borderlex Academy event in Brussels today and tomorrow, diving into economic security and FTAs among others and hearing from experts in the field. If you want to know more about future editions get in touch
China substantially reduced its countervailing tariffs against EU dairy products - but the EU dairy industry is still not happy. Tariffs to come on stream before 21 Feb. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/02/02/e...
European dairy traders unhappy over new Chinese tariffs - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European dairy trade association Eucolait said it "regrets" China's decision to impose countervailing duties on certain European dairy products, even though the duties are substantially lower than...
borderlex.net
February 2, 2026 at 3:56 PM
China substantially reduced its countervailing tariffs against EU dairy products - but the EU dairy industry is still not happy. Tariffs to come on stream before 21 Feb. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/02/02/e...
Bruegel reports that despite Trump tariffs, EU exports actually increased y-o-y up to November. Exports to other destinations (especially the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye "more than offset the reduction in exports to the US" www.bruegel.org/analysis/eur...
European and Chinese exports kept growing despite the 2025 Trump trade shock
Diversification has kept global trade strong, despite Trump’s tariffs and accelerated US-China decoupling
www.bruegel.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Bruegel reports that despite Trump tariffs, EU exports actually increased y-o-y up to November. Exports to other destinations (especially the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye "more than offset the reduction in exports to the US" www.bruegel.org/analysis/eur...
This week in EU trade policy news you have missed:
📌US ambo tells MEPs "get on with it"
📌EU-Vietnam upgrade relationship despite trade irritants
📌Asian automaker concerns about "Made in Europe" provisions
borderlex.net/2026/01/30/w...
📌US ambo tells MEPs "get on with it"
📌EU-Vietnam upgrade relationship despite trade irritants
📌Asian automaker concerns about "Made in Europe" provisions
borderlex.net/2026/01/30/w...
Week in Brussels: US ambo in the EP, Vietnam, industry concerns about IAA - Borderlex - European trade policy
A roundup of EU trade policy news from Brussels
borderlex.net
January 30, 2026 at 1:21 PM
This week in EU trade policy news you have missed:
📌US ambo tells MEPs "get on with it"
📌EU-Vietnam upgrade relationship despite trade irritants
📌Asian automaker concerns about "Made in Europe" provisions
borderlex.net/2026/01/30/w...
📌US ambo tells MEPs "get on with it"
📌EU-Vietnam upgrade relationship despite trade irritants
📌Asian automaker concerns about "Made in Europe" provisions
borderlex.net/2026/01/30/w...
The commission actually proposed this for signature at the same time as the Mercosur agreement in September but decided to prioritise Mercosur because, well, it’s controversial. The Mexico deal is not controversial so should be signed and sealed without any issues
With Mercosur, India, and (yes) the US, you may have forgotten about the EU-MEXICO modernised agreement that is currently waiting for the council’s approval for signature. And this may happen soon, apparently. Next month. Keep an eye out. It may (or may not) anger Trump…
January 30, 2026 at 10:01 AM
The commission actually proposed this for signature at the same time as the Mercosur agreement in September but decided to prioritise Mercosur because, well, it’s controversial. The Mexico deal is not controversial so should be signed and sealed without any issues
With Mercosur, India, and (yes) the US, you may have forgotten about the EU-MEXICO modernised agreement that is currently waiting for the council’s approval for signature. And this may happen soon, apparently. Next month. Keep an eye out. It may (or may not) anger Trump…
January 30, 2026 at 9:30 AM
With Mercosur, India, and (yes) the US, you may have forgotten about the EU-MEXICO modernised agreement that is currently waiting for the council’s approval for signature. And this may happen soon, apparently. Next month. Keep an eye out. It may (or may not) anger Trump…
Much talk about which city will host the new European Customs Authority - but the EU institutions still haven't decided on the process. Talks between the parliament - which wants more of a role - and the member states are continuing. A decision is due to be taken next month
January 28, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Much talk about which city will host the new European Customs Authority - but the EU institutions still haven't decided on the process. Talks between the parliament - which wants more of a role - and the member states are continuing. A decision is due to be taken next month
Commission wants to suspend 0% duty on sugar imports to help producers - but EU sugar users are up in arms! More on this intra-sugar fight below borderlex.net/2026/01/28/e...
EU sugar users slam commission plan to suspend duty relief - Borderlex - European trade policy
Sugar-using industries strongly criticised European Commission plans to suspend duty-free imports of sugar which EU companies can process and then export as food products to third countries.
borderlex.net
January 28, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Commission wants to suspend 0% duty on sugar imports to help producers - but EU sugar users are up in arms! More on this intra-sugar fight below borderlex.net/2026/01/28/e...
French far right MEP Virginie Joron slams Lille's bid to host the European Customs Authority, saying it is the 3rd worst city in Europe for burglaries (!). Lille's representatives say the ECA building is in a safe area of the city and there is even a "crisis room" in the building.
January 28, 2026 at 8:37 AM
French far right MEP Virginie Joron slams Lille's bid to host the European Customs Authority, saying it is the 3rd worst city in Europe for burglaries (!). Lille's representatives say the ECA building is in a safe area of the city and there is even a "crisis room" in the building.
Reposted by Rob Francis
Granular overview of the EU India trade accord announced today #EUIndia #EUTrade
By @robfranciseu.bsky.social
By @robfranciseu.bsky.social
EU, India seal largest-ever free trade pact - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Union and India concluded talks on a free trade agreement, as both Brussels and New Delhi seek to diversify their trade away from China and increasingly the United States.
f.mtr.cool
January 28, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Granular overview of the EU India trade accord announced today #EUIndia #EUTrade
By @robfranciseu.bsky.social
By @robfranciseu.bsky.social
The EU-India deal is being described as "the mother of all deals" - but it's missing some key chapters, and market access for sensitive agfood products are left out. Still, there's lots there. Now for ratification - yay! What could go wrong... borderlex.net/2026/01/27/e...
EU, India seal largest-ever free trade pact as both sides seek trade diversification - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Union and India concluded talks on a free trade agreement, as both Brussels and New Delhi seek to diversify their trade away from China and increasingly the United States.
borderlex.net
January 27, 2026 at 11:18 AM
The EU-India deal is being described as "the mother of all deals" - but it's missing some key chapters, and market access for sensitive agfood products are left out. Still, there's lots there. Now for ratification - yay! What could go wrong... borderlex.net/2026/01/27/e...