Australia and EU seal sensitive trade deal
The European Union and Australia have concluded talks on a free trade deal that could boost export volumes by as much as one third, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Canberra. Von der Leyen shook hands on the agreement with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Tuesday, on the second day of her three-day visit to Australia, finally sealing the accord after a previous attempt collapsed amid acrimony in 2023. The Commission president told the Australian parliament the trade deal was necessary to build resilience to economic shocks. Under the agreement, Australian cattle farmers will be able to export 30,600 metric tons of beef to Europe a year, up from the current 3,389 tons — subject to requirements on grass feeding. Brussels had resisted calls from the Australian side to go over 30,000 tons during talks in recent weeks. In an earlier joint press conference, Albanese also suggested that Australia had extracted some concessions from the EU on the issue of geographic indications, which could enable Australian producers to continue using names including feta, halloumi and Parmesan.
Brazil’s Senate ratifies Mercosur free trade deal with European Union
Brazil has formally ratified a landmark free trade deal with the European Union, joining Argentina and Uruguay in creating one of the world’s largest trade blocs. The agreement, decades in the making, removes most tariffs, boosts exports on both sides, and has sparked opposition from European farmers concerned about cheaper imports. Brazil’s Senate on Wednesday ratified a deal between the Mercosur bloc and the European Union that creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas. The deal involves the four founding members of the South American trade bloc and has already been ratified by Argentina and Uruguay. Paraguay’s parliament still needs to approve it. The European Commission announced last week that it would provisionally implement the mammoth deal, pending the EU top court’s ruling on its legality. The move angered France, which has led opposition to the deal and unsuccessfully attempted to block it over worries for its farmers, who fear being undercut by cheaper goods from Brazil and its neighbours. The deal was signed in January after 25 years of tricky negotiations. It was given fresh impetus amid the sweeping use of tariffs and trade threats by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which sent countries scrambling for new partnerships. Together, the EU and Mercosur account for 30 per cent of global GDP and more than 700 million consumers.
EU–Mercosur trade deal to take provisional effect from 1 May
The trade deal between the EU and Mercosur will kick in provisionally from 1 May, the European Commission said on Monday, meaning tariffs on most goods will be scrapped on both sides, as agreed under the deal. A European Commission spokesperson confirmed that Brussels had sent a notification to Paraguay, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Mercosur bloc – the final step to trigger provisional application of the deal, backed by EU capitals on 9 January. The move has been highly contested by countries opposing Mercosur, such as France, with a government spokesperson saying it amounted to a violation of democratic principles, as well as by MEPs who have long challenged the agreement. Provisional application will only enter into force for countries that have approved the deal and notified the EU – currently Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay – with Paraguay yet to send its notification. It will remain in force until Brussels finalises ratification of the agreement in the coming years, after the EU’s Court of Justice rules on whether the deal complies with EU law in a case launched by MEPs.
EU lawmakers advance US trade deal with multiple safeguards
European Union lawmakers advanced legislation on Thursday to fulfil the bloc’s side of its trade agreement with the U.S., after months of uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and new import levy. The EU assembly voted by 417 to 154, with 71 abstentions, in favour of the legislation although with added safeguards, reflecting concerns that Washington may not stick to the deal struck in Turnberry, Scotland, last July. The safeguards include a potential suspension clause, among others, and lawmakers insist the U.S. remove 50% duties imposed a month after the Turnberry deal on the steel and aluminium content of products such as wind turbines and motorcycles. The European Parliament has been debating proposals to remove EU import duties on U.S. industrial goods and improve access for U.S. agricultural produce, a key part of the deal, as well as to continue zero duties for U.S. lobsters, initially agreed with Trump in 2020. Parliament’s vote on Thursday is not the end of the process. Representatives of parliament and EU governments will negotiate final texts, starting on April 13, ahead of a final vote of approval by EU lawmakers not expected before June. EU governments approved the legislation in November with more limited safeguards.
EU-Canada - Negotiations on a digital trade agreement
On 5 March 2026 in Toronto, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and Minister of International Trade of Canada Maninder Sidhu launched negotiations on the EU-Canada Digital Trade Agreement (DTA). Building on nine years of successful implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the new agreement will improve trade between the EU and Canada, facilitating and enhancing the security of businesses in digital cross-border trade and ensuring better protection for consumers online.
EU-Switzerland - signing a package of agreements aimed at deepening relations
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin signed a wide-ranging package of agreements to deepen and broaden EU-Switzerland relations. The package establishes a modern legal framework for the EU and Switzerland, allowing free access to a market of 460 million consumers in key sectors, bringing economic benefits to both parties. By harmonising standards and rules in tightly integrated areas, the package will provide legal certainty, simplify trade in goods such as medical devices and foodstuffs, and facilitate cross-border deliveries for businesses on both sides of the border. It will also ensure more consistent rules for people living, working or studying on the other side of the EU-Switzerland border. Switzerland will participate in the development of the legislation in the areas covered by the package and will have the possibility to influence these rules during their design.
European Parliament ready to vote on EU-US trade deal by March
The European Parliament’s political groups are in the final stages of negotiations on the EU-US trade deal, which could be greenlit by the end of March as requested by the Commission. After a long series of advances and setbacks, the controversial EU-US trade deal could soon be approved by the European Parliament. Negotiators from the Parliament’s political groups met on Tuesday (11th March) with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to discuss the recent developments, and according to sources, they are set to strike an agreement in the next meeting on March 17. If so, the deal would be voted on two days later in the Committee on International Trade, eventually get the final green light by the Parliament’s Plenary on March 26. Commissioner Šefčovič urged lawmakers on Tuesday to move ahead even after US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs that put the entire agreement’s terms in doubt. The 10 percent duties on imports from US allies, including the EU, announced by Trump in February, froze the approval process, which had already been halted once due to Trump’s claims over Greenland. The fresh tariffs came on top of duties that were already in place before Trump returned to power in 2025, which averaged 4.8 percent. As a result, around 7 percent of European goods face tariffs above the 15 percent ceiling agreed last summer by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump, with some products – such as cheese – being hit with duties as high as 30 percent. The Parliament nonetheless decided to resume work, encouraged by the Trade Commissioner, but it has kept asking for clarity from the US administration on the topic.
Indonesia, Uzbekistan launch Free Trade Agreement talks
Indonesian Trade Ministers Budi Santoso and the Investment, Industry, and Trade Minister of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, on Monday have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Indonesia and Uzbekistan. According to a written statement, the launch was marked by the signing of a joint statement by both parties via video conference. In addition, both sides signed an Agreement on Trade and Investment Cooperation.
India-Gulf bloc FTA talks likely only in second half of the year as Iran war rages
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are likely to hold the first round of negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA) only in the second half of the year. For India, which imports a significant amount of its crude oil and LNG from the Gulf, these disruptions have raised energy costs and led to hurdles in exports and logistics. The delay in initiating the first round of talks for the FTA between India and the GCC is also attributable to the Gulf bloc’s complex decision-making system.
India & Israel to expedite negotiations for an early signing of FTA
India and Israel gave fresh momentum to bilateral trade ties by expediting negotiations for an early signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) even as the two countries elevated their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity”. Jointly addressing media in Tel Aviv along with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on the last day of his two-day state visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two leaders discussed imparting a new direction and faster pace to bilateral cooperation. The two countries also agreed to expand structured labour mobility, with up to 50,000 additional Indian workers expected to be employed in Israel over the next five years across construction, manufacturing and services sectors. The elevation of ties and the formal launch of FTA negotiations indicate a shift toward a more integrated economic partnership, combining Israel’s technology strengths with India’s market scale and manufacturing base. For Indian industry, the pace and contours of the FTA, particularly tariff liberalisation, services access and investment safeguards, will determine the depth of market access and technology collaboration that follows.
India, Canada relaunch free trade talks after 2023 diplomatic chill
India and Canada launched formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signalling a fresh start in trade ties after a period of strain during the previous Canadian administration led by Justin Trudeau. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the agreement in New Delhi. The documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Hyderabad House. Both sides have agreed on a broad deadline to conclude the agreement by the end of 2026, Secretary (East) P Kumaran had said earlier in the day. PM Modi said the two countries have set a target to raise bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 and decided to conclude the CEPA soon to unlock the full potential of economic cooperation. Meanwhile, his Canadian counterpart said the pact reflects an expansion of a valued partnership with new ambition, focus and foresight between two confident countries shaping their future course. The ToR will define the structure and pace of negotiations and guide discussions to conclude an ambitious and balanced trade pact. The agreement will cover trade in goods, services and other mutually agreed areas. The relaunch of talks follows a diplomatic freeze in 2023 that had slowed trade negotiations and wider engagement. Kumaran said relations are now “way better” than the lows of that period. Both countries have restored High Commissioners — Dinesh K. Patnaik for India and Christopher Cooter for Canada — and are progressively increasing diplomatic staff strength to pre-2023 levels.
India in talks for six FTAs with Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile and others
India is currently negotiating six Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with different countries and regional groups as part of its efforts to expand trade partnerships, according to information released by the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry said negotiations are ongoing with Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Israel. Among these, the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations began in February 2023. Since then, 11 rounds of negotiations have been held so far as both sides continue discussions on the proposed trade pact. India is also negotiating the India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). Talks for this agreement began in 2015 and a total of 14 rounds of negotiations have been held. The last round of discussions took place from July 24 to July 26, 2024. Negotiations are also underway for the India-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The talks were launched in 2017 and nine rounds of negotiations have been conducted so far. The latest round of discussions was held from November 3 to November 5, 2025. The ministry also shared that India has initiated negotiations with Chile for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The negotiations were launched on April 1st, 2025 and four rounds of discussions have been held so far. The most recent round of talks took place from December 1 to December 5, 2025.
India to hold off on US trade deal amid new probe
India will hold off on signing a trade deal with the United States for several months, as fresh investigations by President Donald Trump’s administration into what it calls excess industrial capacity among trading partners add new friction after an early understanding last month. New Delhi had initially expected to sign an interim deal in March, followed by a full deal later, after Trump agreed in early February to cut punishing U.S. tariffs on Indian imports in return for commitments including halting Russian oil imports, lowering duties on U.S. goods and pledging to buy $500 billion worth of American products. That timeline could now slip by several months, the sources said, although U.S. officials say they expect India to honour its commitments. The Indian sources, all government officials with direct knowledge of the matter or briefed on it, declined to be named because they were not authorised to speak to media. A spokesperson from India’s trade ministry denied any hold off in bilateral engagement. "It is reiterated that the two sides remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade agreement," the spokesperson added, without offering details on formal signing of the deal.
Japan, UAE conclude free trade negotiations
Japan and the United Arab Emirates have concluded negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement for free trade, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The UAE will eliminate its tariffs on major finished vehicles imported from Japan within seven years of the pact’s entry into force. It is Japan’s first EPA with a Middle East country. Japan aims to capture demand in the UAE, a key Middle East nation with a growing economy. South Korea, which concluded a CEPA with the UAE before Japan, will see the UAE’s automobile tariffs abolished within 10 years of its effectuation. The South Korea-UAE pact has yet to take effect. Japanese automakers currently have the top share of the UAE’s vehicle market, while South Korean rivals are trying to catch up.
Mexico set to discuss USMCA trade pact with Canada
Mexico plans to initiate discussions with Canada in early May about reviewing the USMCA trade pact, according to Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard. The USMCA, which replaced NAFTA in 2020, is a trilateral agreement. Mexico is poised to enter discussions with Canada at the onset of May concerning a review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as disclosed by Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Monday (10th March). However, that there remains a lack of clarity regarding when the United States and Canada will embark on their respective dialogues about the agreement. This uncertainty is weighing on the anticipated comprehensive trilateral talks. Having replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020, the USMCA serves as a cornerstone for economic relations between these North American nations. The upcoming dialogues aim to ensure that the interests of all parties continue to be aligned under this pivotal trade framework.
Mercosur steps up trade talks with India and United Arab Emirates
The Brazilian government, in coordination with Mercosur countries, has initiated new trade negotiations with key partners, including India and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to diversify export markets following progress on its agreement with the European Union. The development was outlined by Tatiana Prazeres, Secretary of Foreign Trade at Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, during an interaction with the media ahead of a panel discussion at an event in Brasilia. She indicated that the anticipated implementation of the EU agreement would create momentum for expanding trade engagements with other global partners. Prazeres noted that negotiations are already underway to broaden the existing Mercosur-India agreement, while fresh discussions with the UAE are being pursued. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to deepen Mercosur’s global integration, enhance export opportunities and reduce reliance on traditional markets. Emerging economies such as India and the UAE are seen as promising destinations due to their strong economic growth, consumption potential and investment opportunities, as per the reports of Brasil 247. At the same time, Brazil remains cautious about its trade outlook with the United States. Prazeres highlighted continued uncertainty surrounding American tariff policies, describing them as volatile and difficult to predict. Currently, Brazilian exports face average tariffs of around 10 per cent in the US market, with higher duties imposed on sectors such as steel under Section 232 provisions.
Philippines gets support for Trans-Pacific free trade accord membership
The Philippines is among the economies that have secured support from the members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as it seeks to join the multinational trade bloc, a high-ranking Australian official said Wednesday. “I was very pleased to chair the final meeting of that group where our member nations agreed on three new participants for the CPTPP session and one of those was the Philippines,” visiting Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite said in a press conference in Pasay City. The CPTPP is a free trade agreement among 12 nations, namely Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Peru, Malaysia, Chile, Brunei and the United Kingdom. The bloc represents 590 million people and accounts for nearly 15 percent of the global economy. Its membership is open to other states so long as they are able to meet the three Auckland Principles — gain consensus support from CPTPP members, meet the agreement’s standards, and demonstrate a record of complying with international trade commitments. At the conclusion of Australia’s 2025 chairship of CPTPP in Melbourne last November, Thistlethwaite said member nations identified that the Philippines along with the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Uruguay are “in line” with the said principles.
South Korea, Mongolia discuss accelerating CEPA negotiations
South Korea and Mongolia discussed ways to accelerate negotiations for a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Seoul’s trade ministry said, with the agreement expected to deepen critical minerals cooperation between the two countries. Kwon Hye-jin, director general for trade negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, visited Mongolia to meet with trade and resources officials, including Batkhuu Idesh, who heads Mongolia’s CEPA negotiation team. South Korea and Mongolia had held four rounds of CEPA negotiations until November 2024, but the talks have stalled due to concerns within Mongolia over market opening and differences over details in agreement on goods and rules of origin, according to the ministry.
Thailand and Japan prepare for comprehensive review of JTEPA trade pact
Thailand and Japan prepare to review the JTEPA trade agreement in 2027, aiming to expand market access and foster cooperation in the green economy. The Thai and Japanese governments are laying the groundwork for a significant review of the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) in 2027. This move aims to modernise the long-standing framework and further open markets to align with contemporary global economic shifts. Reporting for Thansettakij, Chatchayapron Phongam notes that JTEPA has served as a cornerstone of bilateral relations since its inception on 1 November 2007. As a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), it governs a vast array of sectors, including trade in goods, rules of origin, investment, and intellectual property.
UK-Swiss trade deal held up over pharma row
A pharma row between Switzerland and the U.K. risks derailing trade talks, with British officials concerned Swiss demands could push up NHS bills, two people with knowledge of the talks have told POLITICO. Britain and Switzerland launched talks in 2023 on an enhanced free trade agreement, with the tenth negotiating round taking place earlier this month. But the discussions now risk stalling amid a long-running dispute over intellectual property protections for pharmaceuticals, the two industry figures cited higher said. At the center of the disagreement is something called a Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC). The U.K., Switzerland and the EU all operate SPC regimes, which extend patent protection for pharmaceuticals beyond the standard 20-year term. Swiss negotiators want these existing protections for its powerful pharma industry explicitly written into the upgraded free trade agreement, effectively locking in the current level of intellectual property protection between the two countries.
US and Mexico Announce Next Steps of USMCA Review
On March 18, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a press release announcing the commencement of "bilateral technical discussions" between the United States (US) and Mexico regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). According to the press release, technical discussions included supply chain gaps and policy to address those gaps through "increased cooperation on economic security, rules of origin, and complimentary trade actions." Technical teams were also directed to review "specific options for increasing U.S. and Mexican production and manufacturing employment, while limiting non-market inputs into North American supply chains" in advance of the USMCA Joint Review scheduled for July 1, 2026.
U.S. and Ecuador Sign Trade Deal
In a press release published on March 13, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that United States and Ecuador had signed an agreement on reciprocal trade. In addition to other provisions, Ecuador has agreed to the following:
- Agreed to specific duty rates on U.S. origin goods.
- To not impose quantitative restrictions on imports of U.S. origin goods.
- Ecuador will not apply restrictive import licensing.
- Agree to U.S. goods that meet applicable U.S. standards and technical regulations to enter Ecuador without additional conformity assessment.
- Provide non-discriminatory or preferential market access for U.S. agricultural goods.
- Establish a “robust standard” of protection of intellectual property.
- A prohibition of goods produced wholly or in part by forced labor.
This agreement will go into effect 30 days after both countries “have notified each other in writing of the completion of their respective applicable legal procedures, or on such other date as the Parties may decide.” Source
US, Mexico to launch review process of USMCA trade pact week of March 16
U.S. and Mexican negotiators will hold bilateral discussions starting the week of March 16 as part of the joint review of the United States–Mexico–Canada trade agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard have instructed negotiators to begin a scoping discussion on the measures to ensure the benefits of the trade agreement accrue primarily to the parties, including by reducing dependence on imports from outside the region, according to a statement from Greer’s office. Negotiators are expected to meet regularly as part of the joint review, according to the statement. The Trump administration is reviewing the trilateral agreement enacted during President Donald Trump’s first term in the White House, and faces a July 1 deadline to notify Congress whether it plans to change the agreement. USMCA is the modern, trilateral free-trade agreement that took effect in 2020, replacing the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. The pact has shielded Mexico and Canada from the bulk of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as goods that comply with its rules of origin can enter the U.S. duty-free.