Eight EU countries have proposed a new sanctions instrument targeting Russia following the death of anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny. The foreign ministers of Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden signed a letter to the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell, advocating for a Russia-specific sanctions regime. The regime aims to target individuals involved in domestic repression in Russia, with Navalny being the latest high-profile victim. The ministers also suggested adding new listings under the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions regime as a quicker alternative to a full-blown 'Navalny Act'.

European aluminum producers and four EU countries are urging the European Union to impose an embargo on Russian aluminum imports as part of the upcoming sanctions package marking two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the pressure, a full ban is unlikely by the anniversary due to opposition from countries like Italy. The EU aims to present the 13th sanctions package by February 24, but it is expected to focus on new individual listings and a ban on exporting dual-use goods and battlefield products to Russia. Industrial consumers, represented by FACE, strongly oppose sanctions on aluminum, warning of severe economic repercussions. EU diplomats are currently negotiating the terms of the new sanctions package.

The European Union's attempt to engage with Indo-Pacific nations faced setbacks as key European and Indo-Pacific foreign ministers, including those from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, India, and South Korea, did not attend the EU's third Indo-Pacific ministerial meeting in Brussels. The meeting was overshadowed by the Middle East conflict, with criticism from developing countries about the West's perceived double standards regarding the situations in Ukraine and Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized the EU's commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific despite being preoccupied with conflicts closer to home.

Negotiators on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive face pressures to reach a compromise in the latest round of talks. Representatives from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU are key stakeholders in these discussions.

EU member states agree that tenders for net-zero industry projects should still mostly focus on financial requirements. Requirements such as sustainability and supply chain resilience should be phased in gradually. Industry ministers will discuss their common approach.

Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU's trade chief, is prepared to travel to Brazil if a political push is needed to finalize the EU-Mercosur trade deal. Discussions between the two blocs include adding an environmental protection instrument to the main agreement.

A new US proposal for tariff rate quotas on European steel and aluminum is anticipated in the coming days, according to EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis. Previous talks between the EU and US aimed at removing current tariff rate quotas on these materials failed last month.

The EU's trade deals are crucial for maintaining the bloc's global export market share amidst growing competition from China, India, and other large economies. The European Commission's chief trade defense officer highlighted the significance of these deals in helping the EU navigate the competitive international trade landscape.

Companies might face fines of up to 5 percent of their turnover for non-compliance with the EU’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Negotiators have agreed to remove directors' duties from the law.

The European Union's upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due-Diligence Directive may exclude the financial sector, a decision that could impose stricter rules on other companies. The three EU institutions are not planning to discuss the financial sector's inclusion in the directive at their next meeting, potentially leading to significant regulatory implications for national governments and businesses.

Excluding the financial sector from the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, at least temporarily, is considered the most viable option for advancing the controversial law currently under negotiation by lawmakers and governments, according to an internal document.

A new EU legislation mandates that at least 25 percent of critical raw materials used in the EU must be recycled by 2030. This benchmark was agreed upon after an eight-month negotiation process and is part of the Critical Raw Materials Act, which is now ready for final votes.

Sustainability and resilience requirements for net-zero technology tenders are significantly reduced or removed in a draft proposal from EU member states. The Council of the EU favors maintaining procurement under minimal mandatory requirements.

Capital costs in the western world are significantly higher compared to developing countries, which is a major barrier to mining investments. This often-overlooked factor, highlighted by an HSBC representative, contrasts with the common attribution of China's dominance in mining and refining critical minerals to its government policies.

The EU's chief US negotiator emphasized the urgency of initiating multilateral talks on decarbonizing the steel and aluminum sectors immediately after finalizing the EU-US deal on global steel overcapacity. Delaying until the US considers an emissions trading system beyond 2026 is not advisable.

The Argentine president-elect Javier Milei appears to have a positive stance on a trade deal between the EU and the South American bloc, according to EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis. Dombrovskis emphasized the significance of trade agreements, stating they should not be abandoned due to electoral outcomes.

The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act is expected to be adopted by December following positive inter-institutional talks. Although the annexes listing materials have not yet been discussed, a few more rounds of talks should suffice.

The EU's Net-Zero Industry Act has advanced closer to interinstitutional negotiations following approval by the European Parliament's industry committee, with 43 members voting in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. The law will proceed to a full parliamentary session in Strasbourg next month, where additional amendments could be introduced.

Stalled negotiations on an EU-Australia trade agreement may receive a boost with a planned meeting between negotiators at a Group of Seven trade ministers meeting. Australia might consider abolishing its tax on luxury car imports in exchange for better market access from the EU.

The European Parliament adopted a compromise position for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, with 366 members voting in favor, 225 against, and 38 abstaining. The position was negotiated by Dutch social democrat Lara Wolters, setting the stage for further talks with governments.

European glass fiber producers are seeking increased protection from the European Union against low-priced competition from China's Jushi Group, which has ramped up production in Egypt. Industry association Glass Fibre Europe is consulting with the European Commission on how to address this issue, warning of potential risks to the EU's strategic autonomy. The EU currently imposes lower tariffs on glass fiber imports from Egypt compared to China, leading to concerns about market flooding and price undercutting. The article highlights the strategic importance of glass fiber in various industries and the ongoing challenges faced by EU producers.

A Romanian court has sought clarification from EU judges on whether a company required to pay EU dumping duties can also be mandated to pay associated national charges. The case involves Network One Distribution, which imported e-bikes or related parts from Thailand and is now facing these charges.

Tiemo Wölken, a German legislator, has urged that nuclear power should not be included as a sustainable technology in the EU's Net-Zero Industry Act. He mentioned that the main European Parliament negotiating team had assured him regarding an amendment he proposed.

Talks between the EU and US on a new green steel and aluminum deal have reached an impasse. Despite commitments to prevent tariffs from returning in October, neither side is willing to disclose the progress made.

Legislative talks on the EU’s revised trade program to remove import duties for developing countries ended without agreement. The negotiations between EU lawmakers and governments on a new version of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) concluded after about two hours, with a stalemate around migration and trade safeguards.

Dumping duties on cold-rolled flat steel from Russia will remain in place after the EU Court of Justice dismissed a challenge by two steel producers as inadmissible or ineffective. The court upheld a 2021 ruling that maintained the duties.

Group of Seven leaders meeting in Japan are considering a global tracing system to halt Russian diamond exports as an additional sanction over its war in Ukraine. The proposal aims to trace the gems' origin and prevent circumvention tactics, further tightening Moscow's revenues.

In the ongoing EU-Australia trade deal negotiations, a special provision might be included to benefit local refining of raw materials, according to Sabine Weyand, a high-ranking trade official at the European Commission. This proposal is similar to a recent deal with Chile.