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Reposted by Rob Francis

David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 10h

Have been asked a couple of times about the WTO legality of EU steel measures. Just about plausible in letter, obviously not in spirit I'd say. Mona has a more informed not dissimilar view.

Mona Paulsen @monapaulsen.bsky.social · 18h

Just to clarify my quick reaction to the legality of the EU's new steel measure. Renegotiating tariffs pursuant to Art XXVIII GATT procedures is not illegal -- indeed, it's an efficient way to address changed circumstances. Is it a sound basis for selective discrimination? No.

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 11h

This sounds like something they would dance along to

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 11h

The European Commission today tabled legislation to codify safeguard provisions in the EU-Mercosur agreement for sensitive agricultural products. The latest in a trend towards the EU implementing semi-automatic safeguards borderlex.net/2025/10/08/a...

Agriculture safeguard tied to EU-Mercosur trade deal now on track - Borderlex

The European Commission tabled legislation to codify safeguard provisions in the EU-Mercosur agreement for sensitive agricultural products.

borderlex.net

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 1d

The commission wants to half the duty-free quota for steel imports, and double the out-of-quota tariff to 50%. Now countries start haggling over their quotas. It could get messy, in more ways than one. More by me here borderlex.net/2025/10/07/e...

EU doubles down on steel protection - Borderlex

The European Commission tabled a regulation that would tighten the levels of industry import protection afforded by an import safeguard introduced in 2019.

borderlex.net

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 1d

He told us about the “bad people” who cut off the heads of the king and queen

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 1d

Slightly surprised to see they teach Belgian primary schoolchildren the French revolution BEFORE they even learn how to read. This is...surprising. Billy Bluehat will be a bit of an anticlimax after the guillotine

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 1d

Shout out to the European Commission for opting to publish its steel tariff proposal at 5.15pm when it's been ready all day. Hopefully this isn't the start of a trend.

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 1d

Parliament split over revised Morocco trade deal amid anger at commission’s lack of transparency. More by me here borderlex.net/2025/10/07/e...

EU Commission draws fire for sidelining MEPs on Morocco trade deal - Borderlex

Lawmakers in the European Parliament's international trade committee are split over whether to approve an amended trade agreement with Morocco.

borderlex.net

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 2d

This is what the EU and Morocco are relying on to legalise the extension of their trade agreement to Western Sahara signed on Friday and entered into force on same day. NGOs say this funding will mostly just benefit Rabat

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 2d

The week ahead in EU trade policy:
📌European Parliament trade committee to approve Singapore digital trade pact and discuss revised trade agreement with Morocco
📌Commission to table new steel quotas
📌WTO General Council prepares for next ministerial in February
borderlex.net/2025/10/06/w...

Week Ahead: Permanent EU steel protection, Singapore digital, UK trade defence, WTO - Borderlex

Trade protection in the steel sector: big time. And other items in Brussels and Geneva! That's this week in trade policy for you. By Rob Francis, Chris Horseman and Iana Dreyer.

borderlex.net

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 5d

EU member states approve revised trade agreement with Morocco which integrates Western Sahara products - but NGOs say the pact does not include the consent of the Western Sahara people and lacks transparency. borderlex.net/2025/10/03/e...

EU member states approve revised deal with Morocco - Borderlex

EU member states approved a revised trade agreement with Morocco which explicitly covers products from Western Sahara, following a 2024 ruling by the European Court of Justice.

borderlex.net

Reposted by Rob Francis

Borderlex @borderlex.net · 5d

Businesses including Nestlé, Ferrero, Mars Wrigley and rubber producer SIPH urged the European Commission not to delay #EU #deforestation #regulation, citing financial and operational losses for those who are prepared. @robfranciseu.bsky.social reports: borderlex.net/2025/10/03/b...

Businesses urge commission not to delay deforestation law - Borderlex

Businesses including Nestlé, Ferrero, Mars Wrigley and rubber producer SIPH urged the European Commission not to delay the application date of the EU deforestation regulation.

borderlex.net

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 5d

Our weekly roundup of EU trade policy news in Brussels including:
📌Member states rubberstamp CBAM simplification
📌Australian farmers demand improved market access in future trade pact
📌MEPs at odds over CSDDD reform
borderlex.net/2025/10/03/w...

Week in Brussels: CBAM, Australia, due diligence - Borderlex

Our weekly roundup of EU trade policy news from Brussels

borderlex.net

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 6d

The EU and Indonesia are yet again in each others' trade crosshairs. Our WTO reporter guru @chrishorseman.bsky.social breaks down today's panel ruling from Geneva which found - mostly - against the EU in a dispute over stainless steel duties borderlex.net/2025/10/02/w...

WTO panel backs Indonesia in EU steel duties dispute - Borderlex

A World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel has ruled predominantly in Indonesia's favour in a case challenging EU anti-dumping and countervailing duties on steel goods.

borderlex.net

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 6d

CEO of American Chamber of Commerce to the EU Malte Lohan defends the EU-US trade deal, saying the alternative to 15% "wasn’t zero, it was 30%". EU retaliation on €93 billion worth of US exports would have led to "spiral of escalation" says Lohan #politicocompetitivesummit

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 6d

Extraordinary meeting of European Parliament's trade committee on Monday in Strasbourg will include:
📌vote on EU-Singapore digital trade agreement
📌discussion with commission on revised pact with Morocco to incorporate Western Saharan products
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/comm...

www.europarl.europa.eu

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 7d

Commission will table a TRQ system to replace its steel safeguard on Tuesday. Industry backs the move and wants an out-of-quota 50% tariff. Also - it wants it all done and dusted by the end of the year! More here by me for @borderlex.net borderlex.net/2025/10/01/e...

EU to replace steel safeguard with country-specific quotas - Borderlex

The European Commission will propose replacing the bloc's steel safeguard with tariff rate quotas for each trading partner on Tuesday (7 October).

borderlex.net

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 8d

EU trade commissioner says the EU could conclude trade negotiations with Malaysia, Thailand, and Philippines "in the next year". Could be a bumper year with India, plus already concluded talks with Mercosur, Mexico, and Indonesia still to be ratified

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 8d

Indonesia is set to lose its trade preferences with both the EU and UK - it may get a soft landing as long as the trade agreement with the EU enters into force before 1 January 2027. Exciting times borderlex.net/2025/09/30/e...

EU and UK strip trade preferences from Indonesia - Borderlex

The EU and UK amended their respective preferential trading schemes for developing countries, with Indonesia affected in both cases.

borderlex.net

Reposted by Rob Francis

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 8d

EU trade chief Sefcovic, speaking at the Atlantic Council event today, says the EU and US are "very soon going to propose the post 2026 safeguard measures" on steel, working with tariff-rate quotas, to deal with "global overcapacity"

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 8d

Report from the @EP_Trade delegation visit to Brazil in July highlights the strong support within Brazil for ratifying the EU-Mercosur agreement as well as the need to counter Chinese influence in the region www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docume...

www.europarl.europa.eu

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 9d

Study commissioned by European Parliament says EU should explore "the feasibility of concluding a free trade
agreement, instead of a bilateral investment agreement, with Taiwan". If that fails, EU and Taiwan should both join CPTPP www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...

www.europarl.europa.eu

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 9d

The EU took the unusual step of appealing "into the void" a WTO panel verdict on its countervailing duties on Indonesian biodiesel - Brussels took the move out of frustration that Indonesia refused to involve the MPIA in any appeal process. More here borderlex.net/2025/09/28/e...

EU stalls WTO dispute with Indonesia over palm oil - Borderlex

The European Union appealed a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel verdict 'into the void' – apparently in an attempt to persuade Indonesia, its opponent in the dispute, that it should ha...

borderlex.net

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Reposted by Rob Francis

Borderlex @borderlex.net · 12d

#EU and #India trying to find a date for the third Trade and Technology Council ministerial meeting. #Trade #negotiations remain the priority. Next trade negotiation round will take place in early October.
@robfranciseu.bsky.social reports: borderlex.net/2025/09/25/e...

EU, India negotiations “extremely challenging” as year-end deadline nears - Borderlex

The EU and India failed to close any chapters during the 13th negotiation round which took place earlier this month.

borderlex.net

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 12d

EU obviously has nothing to worry about here because it’s agreed with the US that any future tariffs will be capped at 15%….right?

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