Trade

The European Commission and the EU's High Representative adopted a Joint Communication presenting a package of proposals for a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda' on 17 September 2025. The EU and India appear ready to take their strategic partnership of 20+ years to the next level amid geopolitical shifts. Together, they set out to "boost shared prosperity, strengthen security, and tackle major global challenges". Developing such an agenda constitutes an opportunity, yet not without its own challenges. Thus, Dr. Katharina Emschermann asked 3 questions about the EU-India relationship status to Jochen Luckscheiter, director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's India office in New Delhi.

On 3 September 2025, the European Commission presented the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the modernised EU–Mexico deal for approval. In the context of the recently announced EU-US trade agreement, they mark one of the biggest steps in EU trade policy in years. After long and difficult negotiations, the EU is moving forward in a rapidly changing global trade order. Yet, a number of EU Member States are opposed and questions about sustainability and Europe's agricultural sector remain. We asked 3 Questions to MEP Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA).

The UK and EU held their first post-Brexit summit in May 2025. Its outcome was a long list of areas – ranging from emissions trading to the mobility of young people – on which the two sides intend to cooperate more closely. But formal negotiations will be neither quick nor easy. Most of the hard work is yet to come, writes Jannike Wachowiak.

As the EU rolls out the Clean Industrial Deal, it must consider how its domestic policies may impact its trade relations and global standing. Industrial policy decisions taken in Brussels will have ripple effects, including on partners in the Global South. Addressing potential negative spillovers is not just a question of climate justice and good diplomacy – it is a strategic imperative.

As geopolitical tides shift, the EU and India are betting big on the Trade and Technology Council to deepen ties in trade, digital tech, and green innovation. But can ambition meet action? This policy brief breaks down convergences, roadblocks—and what needs fixing to make the TTC truly transformative.

In a pivotal week for transatlantic trade relations, the new EU Böll Brief “Trading partners? Europe's options against Trump’s tariffs“ analyses the potential consequences of rising US tariffs on European trade and explores strategic responses available to the EU, highlighting the economic risks of a tariff war for each individual EU Member State and outlining alternative strategies for the EU to safeguard its economic interests.

The outgoing European Commission has upscaled the use of unilateral trade instruments to achieve security, competitiveness and sustainability objectives. In times of environmental crises and rising geopolitical tensions, the incoming European Commission should implement the ambition to embed European trade within planetary boundaries and revive international cooperation around environmental trade goals.

On 12 June 2024, the European Commission announced additional preliminary tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This is based on an EU anti-subsidy investigation, which found that China is extensively subsidising its automotive sector. The United States also recently raised comparable tariffs to 100%. At the same time, some large European car manufacturers are anxious about potential retaliatory measures by China.