Google, AfCFTA to train 7,500 African SMEs on AI, digital trade skills
Google and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have launched the AfCFTA Digital Inclusion & Entrepreneurship Programme that will train thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria and the African continent on critical Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills to expand their businesses and trade continent-wide. With AI and digital skill now a critical part of business evolution, the new and free training initiative, powered by the Google Hustle Academy, is designed to close the digital skills gap by providing entrepreneurs with AI-powered solutions and localized training that addresses the real-world demands of today’s market.
EFTA States Modernised free trade agreement with Ukraine
On 12 November 2025, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the modernised free trade agreement between the EFTA states and Ukraine. With this agreement, Switzerland is demonstrating its solidarity with Ukraine at this critical time and strengthening its competitiveness in the local market. Link
EU and Ecuador launch negotiations for a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement
EU and Ecuador launched negotiations for a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA), aiming to boost transparency, streamline investment procedures, uphold strong labour and environmental standards, and encourage investment in key sectors. SIFA will help drive sustainable growth and deepen ties between Europe and Latin America.
EU and South Africa sign first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP)
The EU and South Africa have signed their first Clean Trade and Investment Partnership to boost clean, reliable supply chains and support decarbonisation. The deal opens new space for trade and investment in renewables, clean fuels, grids, and climate tech—while strengthening cooperation on the raw materials needed for the industries of the future.
EU launches Trade and Investment Dialogue with Trans-Pacific bloc
In Australia, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič launched, together with his twelve counterparts, the first EU-CPTPP Trade and Investment Dialogue. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to open, rules-based trade, while delivering tangible results. This is an important milestone, as the EU and the members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) represent 32% of global GDP and 37% of global trade. The EU-CPTPP Trade and Investment Dialogue will cover result-oriented cooperation between the two blocs in five key areas: trade diversification, digital trade, trade and investment facilitation, supply chain resilience, and the global trade environment, including World Trade Organisation reform.
EU launches Trade and Investment Dialogue with Trans-Pacific bloc
20 November, in Australia, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič launched, together with his twelve counterparts, the first EU-CPTPP Trade and Investment Dialogue. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to open, rules-based trade, while delivering tangible results. This is an important milestone, as the EU and the members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) represent 32% of global GDP and 37% of global trade. The EU-CPTPP Trade and Investment Dialogue will cover result-oriented cooperation between the two blocs in five key areas: trade diversification, digital trade, trade and investment facilitation, supply chain resilience, and the global trade environment, including World Trade Organisation reform. Source
EU and South Africa sign first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP)
20 November, the EU and South Africa signed the first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP), building on the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership and the Economic Partnership Agreement. The CTIP will support bilateral trade and investments in clean supply chains, benefitting the EU and South Africa in their decarbonisation objectives and the economies on both sides. It will diversify strategic clean supply chains, create new trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen EU access to raw materials. It will also support the creation of local added value in South Africa, its industrialisation objectives, and its Just Energy Transition. The CTIP will focus on strategic sectors such as:
- Renewable energy, low carbon and net-zero technologies;
- Electricity transmission and electricity grid;
- Clean fuels, including sustainable transport fuels;
- Raw materials value chains, and;
- Climate mitigation and adaptation technologies.
EU to warn Lutnick against axpanding US steel tariff scope
European Union officials are concerned a US push to expand the list of EU products subject to higher steel and aluminum tariffs may run afoul of the spirit of the trade agreement they signed this summer. The EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, as well as trade ministers from the bloc’s 27 member states, will raise the issue with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick when they meet in Brussels Nov. 24, according to people familiar with the matter. EU ambassadors prepared for the intervention last week. The trade deal, agreed between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in August, was to remove many of the bloc’s tariffs on American goods while putting a 15% tariff ceiling on most European products going into the US. The EU still faces a 50% duty on steel and aluminum exports as well as on many other derivative products that contain the metals. Washington revises the list of derivative products that are subject to the higher tariff rate several times a year. The EU is particularly concerned that the breadth of goods hit by the 50% metals rate — currently surpassing 400 items — as well as potential new, higher levies on different industries will dilute the EU-US trade deal and the agreed 15% tariff ceiling, said the people who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
India, Israel sign terms of reference for free trade agreement
India Union commerce minister said that India and Israel have signed terms of reference for a free trade agreement (FTA). who was on a three-day official visit to Israel between November 20 – 22, said the proposed FTA between both the nations will have the potential to unlock immense opportunities in the field of defence, cyber security and infrastructure.
India signs US gas deal amid trade tensions, Russian oil fallout
India signed a "significant" deal that will see the United States supply nearly 10 percent of the Asian giant’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports, as it seeks to diversify its energy sources. Relations between Washington and New Delhi plummeted in August after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on India to 50 percent, with US officials accusing the country of fuelling Russia’s war in Ukraine by buying its discounted oil. Trump has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to cut India’s Russian oil imports as part of a prospective trade deal — something New Delhi has not confirmed.
India and the United States remain in talks, despite disagreements over a range of issues, including agricultural trade and the Russian oil purchases. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said India had signed the one-year deal for 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG, sourced from the US Gulf Coast, providing "close to 10 percent" of India’s annual imports of the fuel.
India, Russia-led Eurasian union review FTA talks
India and Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) last week discussed issues related to payments in local currencies, eclogistics and standards to improve predictably and ease of doing business as work to diversify trade beyond oil and make it more balanced. In the EAEU where Russia dominates, India-Russia trade has been dominated by oil. The oil trade has led to a huge trade surplus for Russia, which India is seeking to bring down. Sharpening international scrutiny of Russia’s energy trade and sanctions has added an additional layer of urgency to the negotiations. Sanctions have restricted Russian access to international banking channels and shipping which needs to be addressed for smoother trade. These issues came up in meetings in Moscow between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and trade officials of the EAEU.
India and Chile eye December talks for comprehensive trade pact
India and Chile are expected to engage in a new round of negotiations for a free trade agreement in December. This Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aims to enhance trade, including critical minerals essential for electronics, auto, and solar sectors. The ongoing economic collaboration highlights India’s strategic focus in the Latin American region. India is gearing up for another pivotal round of discussions with Chile, slated for December, regarding a proposed free trade agreement, an official disclosed. These discussions are part of ongoing efforts to clinch a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations.
Morocco–EU deal: Labeling of Sahara products fails to convince MEPs
The European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has reignited debate over the labeling of agricultural products from Western Sahara, a contentious issue in the recent Morocco-EU agricultural agreement. Despite assurances from the European Commission, MEPs criticized the labeling terms for failing to meet CJEU rulings, accusing the Commission of misleading consumers and prioritizing diplomatic ties over European farmers’ interests. The labeling of agricultural products originating from Western Sahara, an element of the agricultural agreement signed on October 3 between Morocco and the European Union, was at the center of discussions during Thursday’s meeting of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI).
Singapore pushes for historic ASEAN-EU digital trade deal
Singapore is driving talks for a groundbreaking digital economy agreement between ASEAN and the European Union, a move that could reshape $300 billion in Southeast Asian digital trade. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong called the potential pact a "major breakthrough" during Wednesday’s Singapore Fintech Festival, signaling ambitious plans despite rising global trade tensions. Singapore just threw down the gauntlet for what could become the most significant digital trade agreement of the decade. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong used Wednesday’s Singapore Fintech Festival as his platform to push for an unprecedented digital economy agreement between ASEAN and the European Union, calling it a potential "major breakthrough" that could reshape how two economic powerhouses collaborate.
Switzerland and EU sign agreement on Swiss participation in EU programmes
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva signed the Switzerland-EU programmes agreement in Bern on 10 November 2025. This part of the Switzerland-EU package can be provisionally applied with retroactive effect from the beginning of 2025. Switzerland is thus associated to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe programme. The agreement also paves the way for association to ITER, Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union on the transfer of air passenger data
At its meeting on 19 November 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the transfer of air passenger data (PNR). The agreement regulates the transfer of air passenger data by EU air carriers to Switzerland, the processing of such data by Switzerland and the exchange of information between the national bodies of the contracting parties responsible for processing PNR. This is intended to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other serious crime. In addition, at the same meeting, the Federal Council decided to partially enact three articles of the Air Passenger Data Act.
Declaration of intent between the USA and Switzerland on US additional tariffs
Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%. Source
Latin America Reciprocal Trade Frameworks Announced
White House unveiled a set of “Reciprocal Trade Frameworks” with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The agreements prioritize lowering U.S. tariffs on key imports like bananas, coffee, textiles, pharmaceutical inputs, and natural resources in exchange for removing non-Tariff barriers facing U.S. goods. Source
Preferential rules of origin – update for the parties to the PEM Convention
A Commission Notice on the application of the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin or Protocols on Rules of Origin providing for diagonal cumulation between the Contracting Parties to the Convention has been published. The parties to the convention must inform the European Commission of the rules of origin applied in their relations with other parties. The Commission publishes this information in the Official Journal of the EU to ensure transparency and uniform application of the rules. On the basis of the information provided by the European Commission parties, the attached tables set out: (1) Table 1 provides a simplified overview of the possibility of cumulation. (2) In Tables 2 and 3 , the date from which the diagonal cumulation applies. Source
Switzerland and Cyprus sign migration cooperation agreement
On 21 November 2025, Switzerland and Cyprus signed a framework agreement in Nicosia on the implementation of a bilateral migration cooperation programme. The agreement forms part of Switzerland's second contribution to selected EU member states. A budget of CHF 10 million has been allocated to support projects in the areas of accommodation, voluntary return and integration.
Thailand seeks to finalise Canada FTA by 2026 to unlock North American market
Thailand and the Canadian envoy agree to accelerate talks on a landmark trade deal amid global economic uncertainties and shifting geopolitics. Thailand’s Commerce Minister has met with the Canadian Ambassador to Thailand to discuss strengthening bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties, with a clear focus on expediting a crucial free trade agreement (FTA). Minister stated that Thailand is prepared to collaborate closely with Canada to advance economic relations, particularly in areas where Canada holds expertise, such as clean energy, digital and biotech technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), and advanced fields like AI and quantum computing. Acknowledging contemporary challenges, including geopolitical instability and climate change, the minister positioned Thailand as a reliable food security hub, ready to boost exports of agricultural goods and processed foods—including rice, cooked chicken, and processed seafood—to the Canadian market.
Ukraine – EU upgraded trade agreement enters into force
The EU and Ukraine will benefit from an enhanced, stable, fair and permanent trade framework, with the entry into force of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The upgraded DCFTA delivers additional, mutually beneficial trade liberalisation, while taking fully into account the sensitivity of certain EU agricultural sectors. It illustrates in a very tangible way the EU's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. At the same time, it limits EU imports of sensitive agricultural products compared to the levels under the autonomous trade measures (ATMs), enshrines a robust new safeguard clause, and provides for the alignment of Ukrainian and EU production standards. The DCFTA will support long-term economic certainty and stable trade relations for both parties, while contributing to the gradual integration of Ukraine into the EU Single Market.
The upgraded agreement is structured around three key pillars:
Enhanced trade flows: it strikes a balance between providing a clear framework of rules to support Ukraine's crucial trade with the EU, while fully taking into account the sensitivities of EU agricultural sectors and stakeholders by carefully calibrating different levels of market access for specific products. For the most sensitive items, such as sugar, poultry, eggs, wheat, maize, and honey, there are only modest increases compared to the original DCFTA. For other products, enhancements have been made to benefit both sides, based on our complementary markets. And finally for certain non-sensitive products, full liberalisation has been agreed.
Aligned production standards: new market access is conditioned to the gradual alignment of Ukraine to EU production standards, such as animal welfare, use of pesticides and veterinary medicines. Ukraine is expected to report every year on its progress in that regard. This approach is consistent with the logic of Ukraine's EU accession process and the adoption of the EU acquis.
A robust safeguard clause: a safeguard mechanism enabling the adoption of appropriate measures can be activated should imports of products covered by the additional liberalisation cause serious difficulties for either party. In the EU's case, the assessment of a possible disturbance can be made at the level of one or more Member States. Source
U.S. - South Korea Trade Deal Announced
The U.S. has inked a trade deal with South Korea. The U.S. reciprocal tariffs on most Korean imports will be reduced from ~25% to 15%. Generic drugs, aircraft parts, and certain natural-resources will enjoy tariff-free access in many cases. In exchange, South Korea has committed to a $350 Billion investment in the U.S. including $150 billion for the shipbuilding sector. They will also commit to reducing non-trade barriers for agriculture, digital services, and online platforms. Source
U.S. - Switzerland and Lichtenstein Trade Deal
On November 14, 2025, the United States, the Swiss Confederation (Switzerland), and the Principality of Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein) agreed to a framework for negotiations on an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. While representatives from the three countries continue to negotiate the formal agreement and hope to conclude any agreement during the first quarter of 2026.
Area for negotiation - Tariffs – The United States will apply the same tariff treatment to both Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The United States will also ensure that the MFN tariff and any tariff imposed pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 do not exceed 15 percent for originating pharmaceutical goods and semiconductors of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In return, Switzerland and Liechtenstein intend to apply zero duties on all U.S. industrial goods, U.S. seafood, and certain U.S. agricultural goods; and will apply only tariff rate quotas for several other U.S. agricultural goods. Source
Vietnam, US conclude 5th round of reciprocal trade agreement talks
In the closing session, representatives from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the Vietnamese negotiating team stated that the talks yielded positive results, laying a favourable foundation for the early conclusion of the Vietnam – US Reciprocal Trade Agreement. The fifth round of in-person negotiations on the Vietnam – US Reciprocal Trade Agreement concluded after the three-day session from November 12 to 14 in Washington DC, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported. Vietnam’s negotiating delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade and Government Chief Negotiator Nguyen Hong Dien, joined by members of the negotiating team and representatives from the Ministries of Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Home Affairs, Agriculture and Environment, Science and Technology, and Justice, and the State Bank of Vietnam.