EU trade agenda - the outlook for 2024

The EU’s economic security strategy, trade defence cases and relations with the US and China – our two major trading partners – are also critical issues for business. Across all of these files, we must ensure a good balance between openness and protectionism, improving market access and safeguarding a level playing field. Another key item on the agenda is the WTO Ministerial Conference MC13, which takes place in Abu Dahbi from 25 to 29 February.

The Ministerial will be an important opportunity to reaffirm commitment to rules-based trade. It is also essential that this Ministerial avoids weakening existing rules on intellectual property (extension of the TRIPs waiver) and prevents the application of customs duties on data flows (e-commerce moratorium). These topics were at the centre of the discussion with Tomas Baert, Trade Adviser for President von der Leyen, which BusinessEurope hosted on 7 February in Brussels.

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“It’s great to see that the European Commission has appointed an EU SME Envoy. Congratulations to Markus Pieper! We look forward to working closely on a strong EU SME Strategy”

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