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
Reposted by Rob Francis
Week in Brussels column by @robfranciseu.bsky.social and @chrishorseman.bsky.social :
▪️ EU-Mercosur at the ECJ?
▪️ MEP okay Singapore digital pact
▪️ EU, Ecuador talk investment facilitation
▪️ EU-Mercosur at the ECJ?
▪️ MEP okay Singapore digital pact
▪️ EU, Ecuador talk investment facilitation
Week in Brussels: Mercosur to ECJ?, Singapore digital, Ecuador, Belgian pork - Borderlex - European trade policy
A roundup of the week's EU trade news from Brussels.
f.mtr.cool
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Week in Brussels column by @robfranciseu.bsky.social and @chrishorseman.bsky.social :
▪️ EU-Mercosur at the ECJ?
▪️ MEP okay Singapore digital pact
▪️ EU, Ecuador talk investment facilitation
▪️ EU-Mercosur at the ECJ?
▪️ MEP okay Singapore digital pact
▪️ EU, Ecuador talk investment facilitation
EU trade commissioner to travel next week to meet with the CPTPP ministers in Australia - will we see any movement on the EU-Australia trade deal?
November 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
EU trade commissioner to travel next week to meet with the CPTPP ministers in Australia - will we see any movement on the EU-Australia trade deal?
The commission will publish its new “economic security doctrine” at the start of next month and will publish a new updated export control list…today! says EU trade commissioner @marossefcovic.bsky.social. The doctrine will check if EU’s existing tools are “sharp enough, efficient enough”
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The commission will publish its new “economic security doctrine” at the start of next month and will publish a new updated export control list…today! says EU trade commissioner @marossefcovic.bsky.social. The doctrine will check if EU’s existing tools are “sharp enough, efficient enough”
Reposted by Rob Francis
EU capitals want to scrap the current duty exemption on small parcels as early as 2026
#deminimis #ecommerce
@robfranciseu.bsky.social has the full story
#deminimis #ecommerce
@robfranciseu.bsky.social has the full story
E-commerce: EU eyes early end of 'de minimis' tariff exemption - Borderlex - European trade policy
EU member states agreed to eliminate customs duty relief for goods arriving into the bloc worth less than €150 – known as the de minimis rule.
f.mtr.cool
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
EU capitals want to scrap the current duty exemption on small parcels as early as 2026
#deminimis #ecommerce
@robfranciseu.bsky.social has the full story
#deminimis #ecommerce
@robfranciseu.bsky.social has the full story
I can't get as energised as others about the EPP breaking the 'cordon sanitaire'. They tried to vote through the position agreed with the S&D, Renew etc. last time and it failed. The vote today passed with a 130 majority, which is pretty comfortable.
CSDDD rapporteur Jörgen Warborn shrugging off concerns about the EPP seeking support from the far right. "You have to find majorities in the parliament. That's what you do" Warborn says
November 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I can't get as energised as others about the EPP breaking the 'cordon sanitaire'. They tried to vote through the position agreed with the S&D, Renew etc. last time and it failed. The vote today passed with a 130 majority, which is pretty comfortable.
CSDDD rapporteur Jörgen Warborn shrugging off concerns about the EPP seeking support from the far right. "You have to find majorities in the parliament. That's what you do" Warborn says
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
CSDDD rapporteur Jörgen Warborn shrugging off concerns about the EPP seeking support from the far right. "You have to find majorities in the parliament. That's what you do" Warborn says
Convincing support for the EU-Singapore digital trade agreement in the European Parliament. The Left had tabled a resolution asking for an ECJ judgement on the text but this was roundly rejected
November 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Convincing support for the EU-Singapore digital trade agreement in the European Parliament. The Left had tabled a resolution asking for an ECJ judgement on the text but this was roundly rejected
Belgium rails against China's anti-dumping probe on EU pork imports and says all member states and companies should "face an equal burden". Calls on the commission to come up with emergency measures and support programs for the sectors most affected data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu
November 13, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Belgium rails against China's anti-dumping probe on EU pork imports and says all member states and companies should "face an equal burden". Calls on the commission to come up with emergency measures and support programs for the sectors most affected data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
In one of the less exciting votes today, the European Parliament voted to use the urgent procedure to agree the modifications to the EU deforestation regulation. This means everything will happen in the next few weeks
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
In one of the less exciting votes today, the European Parliament voted to use the urgent procedure to agree the modifications to the EU deforestation regulation. This means everything will happen in the next few weeks
Chinese companies not happy about the EU business and political environment and say they are being politically targeted borderlex.net/2025/11/12/c...
Chinese firms cite rising unpredictability, political targeting in EU - Borderlex - European trade policy
Chinese companies operating in the European Union say rising unpredictability and political targeting are hindering their operations, according to a new survey.
borderlex.net
November 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Chinese companies not happy about the EU business and political environment and say they are being politically targeted borderlex.net/2025/11/12/c...
40% of Chinese firms operating in the EU say they are the victims of “politically driven assessments during market access, longer approval times, fewer subsidy opportunities, and limited dialogue with authorities”
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
40% of Chinese firms operating in the EU say they are the victims of “politically driven assessments during market access, longer approval times, fewer subsidy opportunities, and limited dialogue with authorities”
The @CCCEUofficial said today that commission plans to oblige Chinese investors to transfer their technology are “quite concerning”, saying it's important to uphold fair competition.
“There are a lot of approaches we can explore rather than force the transfer of technology."
“There are a lot of approaches we can explore rather than force the transfer of technology."
November 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The @CCCEUofficial said today that commission plans to oblige Chinese investors to transfer their technology are “quite concerning”, saying it's important to uphold fair competition.
“There are a lot of approaches we can explore rather than force the transfer of technology."
“There are a lot of approaches we can explore rather than force the transfer of technology."
Chinese business chamber publishes 336 recommendations on how to improve the EU business environment. Impact of EU investment screening law, international procurement instrument, and foreign subsidies legislation are key concerns.
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Chinese business chamber publishes 336 recommendations on how to improve the EU business environment. Impact of EU investment screening law, international procurement instrument, and foreign subsidies legislation are key concerns.
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...