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.

Climate plans and their implementation are becoming a significant focus for executives at companies operating in the EU, following their inclusion in a compromise deal on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The directive mandates that firms in the financial sector will need to develop climate plans.

The EU's performance in securing individual trade deals during Ursula von der Leyen's first term as European Commission President has been underwhelming. However, initiatives like the Global Gateway program and upcoming permit-slashing laws aim to enhance the EU's competitive stance against China and the US.

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.

The European Commission remains optimistic about the Mercosur deal despite recent delays and the upcoming inauguration of Argentina's new administration. A senior EU official expressed confidence that the deal is still viable, even though Argentina's outgoing government recently announced its lack of support.

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.

China is seen as an existential threat to the European aluminum industry, prompting the lobby group European Aluminium to suggest that World Trade Organization rules should be reconsidered. They advocate for protective measures, including a tariff wall as proposed by the US, to ensure the industry's survival.

Competitiveness on a global level is a major concern for Europe’s car industry, with the European Automobile Manufacturers Association highlighting the US's tax breaks for electric vehicles and green technology as significant competitive factors. The industry is adopting a wait-and-see approach regarding a probe into China.

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.

The EU's interim free-trade deal with Chile is poised for approval by EU governments next week, moving it towards final adoption in the coming months. The agreement, concluded in substance a year ago, has been progressing through legal checks.

The EU trade ministers will discuss extending the current status quo on steel and aluminum trade with the US during an upcoming summit. The EU is advocating for the complete removal of US tariff rate quotas, but a final agreement may not be reached imminently.

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.

European Parliament lawmakers have proposed amendments to the EU's Net-Zero Industry Act that could result in more lenient treatment for the clean technology industry, including looser tender requirements. These changes come just days before the full legislature is set to vote on the proposed law.

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.

The European Commission is investigating financial instruments to offer compensation to the four Mercosur countries in relation to the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, as stated by chief negotiator Paolo Garzotti to European lawmakers.

Companies using materials such as lead or lithium are advised to engage with the European Commission to protect their supply chains and processes from potential harm due to delays in reforming the EU’s Reach Regulation for chemicals. A senior commission official emphasizes the importance of industry consultation in making significant decisions.

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.

Nuclear fission, fusion, and fuel-cycle technology are among 16 technology groups included in the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act according to a draft seen by MLex. European Parliament negotiators have reached a compromise, establishing the legislature's common stance on the law.

China faces a critical decision between continuing to subsidize manufacturing or addressing concerns from other markets like the EU. Jens Eskelund, head of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, emphasized the importance of this decision during a tour around EU capitals.

China has launched an investigation into whether European liquor producers, particularly French brandy makers, are dumping products in its market. This move is seen as a response to the EU's recent trade actions, including a probe into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies. The investigation targets French spirits, which dominate China's brandy imports, and is perceived as a strategic message to the EU, especially France, which has been assertive in its trade policies. The probe coincides with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo's upcoming visit to China, highlighting the ongoing trade tensions between the EU and China.

The European Parliament's committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act with 53 votes in favor, one against, and five abstentions. The full parliament will vote on the proposal next Thursday in Strasbourg.

Despite extensive economic sanctions from the West aimed at crippling Russia's economy following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia's economy has shown resilience. Factors such as political will, enforcement challenges, and international cooperation complexities have contributed to the limited impact of these sanctions. The article highlights the uneven enforcement of sanctions, the role of secondary sanctions, and the challenges in controlling exports to Russia. It also discusses the deepening economic ties between Russia and countries like China and India, which have helped Russia circumvent some sanctions. The effectiveness of measures like the oil price cap and the exclusion of Russian banks from SWIFT is still uncertain, with long-term impacts yet to be fully realized. Key stakeholders emphasize the need for patience and continued pressure to make the sanctions more effective over time.

The European Union is urging member states to intensify efforts to prevent the illegal flow of goods to Russia, highlighting the need for immediate and coordinated action. The European Commission, led by finance chief Mairead McGuinness and trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis, is considering centralizing sanctions enforcement to address loopholes. The letter to EU capitals emphasizes the increase in banned items reaching Russia through non-EU countries and subsidiaries of European companies. The Commission is exploring the creation of an EU body for sanctions enforcement, a proposal gaining traction among member states. The letter also calls for greater accountability and due diligence from companies involved in manufacturing sanctioned goods.

A leading EU trade official, Eva Valle Lagares, emphasized that the EU-China relationship should be grounded in factual realities. She clarified that the EU's de-risking strategy is aimed at safeguarding the economy rather than targeting China specifically. Valle Lagares called for responsible policymakers to identify and address risks effectively.

The EU's Net-Zero Industry Act, aimed at faster permitting for certain technologies, faces 'controversial' and 'very challenging' discussions, according to its main negotiator, Christian Ehler. The European Parliament adopted Ehler's compromise version of the European Commission's original proposal with 376 votes.

European companies applying for Chinese export licenses for gallium and germanium should receive them, but the licensing requirement appears to be a trade restriction that requires close monitoring, according to EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis. Gallium and germanium are critical rare earth metals.

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.

New conditions set by South America's Mercosur states for finalizing a free-trade agreement with the EU have left European negotiators puzzled, particularly due to a key demand for a mechanism to shield the South American trade bloc from the effects of EU laws.

The article outlines five potential actions the European Union could take to help end the war in Ukraine, focusing on tightening sanctions against Russia. It discusses the effectiveness and challenges of measures such as fixing the oil price cap, banning Russian aluminum and nuclear trade, and tackling black market middlemen. The piece highlights the political and economic hurdles within the EU, including opposition from member states like Hungary. Experts suggest that while these measures could strain Russia's economy, achieving consensus within the EU remains a significant obstacle.

The European Commission aims to finalize negotiations with the US on critical mineral access by year-end, despite unresolved labor inspection disagreements. Top negotiator Rupert Schlegelmilch indicated that the EU is working to address these issues following an unproductive October summit.

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.

Hopes for an EU-Indonesia trade deal are diminishing due to significant disputes over sustainability, deforestation, and human rights. Despite seven years of negotiations, the two sides seem to be moving further apart, with Indonesia strongly opposing the EU's ambitions in these areas.

Negotiations on EU legislation to ban products made with forced labor face a delay after a key European Parliament vote was postponed by a month. The delay is primarily due to disagreements over the inclusion of smaller businesses in the law's scope and aspects of enforcement. Two separate committees are co-leading the file.

The European Parliament has voted to add aluminum to the EU's list of strategic raw materials, which will be a key topic in the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations on the Critical Raw Materials Act.

Germany and France support the EU's investigation into whether Chinese electric vehicles are unfairly subsidized. The European Commission announced the probe to determine if China is creating an uneven playing field in the EV market. German and French economy ministers, Robert Habeck and Bruno Le Maire, expressed their approval of the investigation in Berlin.

Strategic projects under the EU's upcoming Critical Raw Materials Act may require a minimum of 40 percent European ownership. This threshold, agreed upon by lawmakers, will be included in the European Parliament vote next week, though it may change during interinstitutional talks next month.

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.

The EU aims to enhance its focus on geopolitics, trade, and investments with Latin American and Caribbean countries by establishing a more permanent platform for discussions. This initiative comes ahead of the first EU summit with these regions in eight years, addressing past neglect and fostering stronger ties.

The passage of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive through the European Parliament is being complicated by internal conflicts within the conservative European People’s Party group. The group's leadership has delayed declaring a party line until the evening before the full vote, highlighting the extent of the division.

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.

Aiming for a concluded EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement by the first half of July, a new issue has emerged regarding the pricing of raw materials for exports to the EU. The discussions are focused on critical raw materials, presenting a significant hurdle in the trade negotiations.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen visited Kyiv to assure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the EU's continued support amidst trade tensions. The visit highlights the EU's commitment to Ukraine during ongoing conflicts and sanctions.

Negotiators involved in the EU-Australia free trade agreement increasingly expect that the deal will not be ready for ratification before the EU legislative elections next spring, even if an agreement is reached in the coming weeks. This would result in a delay.

European Union member countries agreed on a 13th round of sanctions against Russia, set to take effect by the two-year mark of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions include adding around 200 individuals and companies to the list of those banned from traveling to the EU and facing asset freezes. The regulation 269/2014 has been extended for another six months, and entities from mainland China have been added to the naming-and-shaming law 833/2014. Despite the broad scope of the package, the EU avoided pushing for tougher sanctions on metals imports. A formal written procedure will turn the agreement into law by February 24.