EU unleashes broad trade defence campaign targeting China, Russia, and now US Biofuels
The European Union executed a significant protectionist shift this week, defined by a sustained and escalating campaign of trade defence actions. The week began with sweeping new controls on Russian industrial materials taking effect and was
See MoreEU extends suspension of the EU rebalancing measures against the US
The European Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation extending the suspension of EU rebalancing measures on US exports to the European Union on 31 July 2026. The decision means that the rebalancing measures, adopted last summer in the
See MoreEU customs duty blamed for surprise delivery charges
Europe's consumer federation and a senior EU lawmaker are urging the European Commission to ensure that consumers are not required to bear the cost of a new customs handling fee on online purchases. This follows the EU introducing a EUR 3 fee on
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Lithuania invites Thailand to resume double tax treaty negotiations
Lithuania has invited Thailand to resume negotiations on a Lithuania, Thailand double taxation avoidance agreement, with plans to update a draft prepared in 2008 in line with current international tax standards. The proposal was made by
See MoreEU: European Commission updates public CbC reporting taxonomy, technical guidance
The European Commission has updated its Public Country-by-Country (CbC) Reporting Taxonomy project, originally launched in 2025 to support the preparation of public CbC reports. Following a review initiated in January 2026, the Commission has
See MoreEU pivots from farm tariffs to major anti-dumping action on Chinese industrial goods
A week largely defined by the routine activation of hundreds of seasonal agricultural tariffs took a sharp turn in its final hours with the imposition of significant new anti-dumping duties on a wide range of industrial goods from China. While the
See MoreEU tariff activity surges with fruit tariffs, food controls, new China scrutinyÂ
This week in EU trade policy was a story of parallel streams. While the activation of over 300 pre-scheduled seasonal tariffs on fresh fruit dominated the middle of the week, regulators also signalled a new strategic focus by targeting Chinese glass
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Belgium clarifies origin proof requirements for US imports under Turnberry Agreement
Belgium’s tax authorities, SPF Finance, announced on 14 July 2026 that starting 1 July 2026, American exporters can ship into Europe at reduced or zero customs duties under the Turnberry Agreement, inked on 27 July 2025. The rules sit in
See MoreEU states push back on plans to tax transport fuelsÂ
The European Commission faces a pushback from ten member states over its strategy to impose a carbon price on heating and transport fuels. On 15 July 2026, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Romania and
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European Commission releases Annual Tax Report (ART) providing latest insights into the revenue mix
The European Commission has presented its Annual Report on Taxation (ART), offering a detailed overview of taxation policies in all EU countries on 10 July 2026. This report assesses recent trends in EU tax systems and identifies ways to enhance
See MoreEU launches targeted trade defence strikes on steel, tyres, agri-food
Following a quiet start to the month, the European Union's trade policy took a sharp enforcement turn this week. Regulators launched a series of significant new trade defence actions, moving sequentially from the steel sector to the automotive
See MoreEU: Parliament adopts ‘EU Inc’ framework, centralised VAT regime to boost competitiveness
Members of the European Parliament have adopted a resolution (TA-10-2026-0270) outlining tax measures aimed at enhancing the EU's competitiveness on 9 July 2026. The proposals include simplifying VAT procedures, introducing coordinated and
See MoreEU: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus face reasoned opinions over DAC9 transposition gaps
The European Commission issued reasoned opinions to Belgium, Bulgaria, and Cyprus for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2025/872 (DAC9), which establishes rules for the filing and exchange of GloBE Information Returns (top-up tax information
See MoreEuropean Commission opens infringement cases against Germany, France, Italy over dividend tax rules
The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against Germany, France and Italy over national rules governing the taxation of dividends received from subsidiaries in other EU Member States, saying the legislation is incompatible with
See MoreEU steel safeguards renew in massive half-year regulatory reset
The week in EU trade policy was dominated by a massive, scheduled regulatory transition marking the start of the second half-year. The renewal of the EU’s extensive steel safeguard quota regime on 1 July was the centrepiece, driving the activation
See MoreEU hits US, Chinese chemicals with heavy duties amid wave of future controls
Regulatory activity in the European Union this week was marked by a dual-pronged tightening of trade policy. The most immediate impact came from the imposition of severe new anti-dumping duties on key chemicals imported from the United States,
See MoreEU adopts regulation reducing tariffs on selected US imports
The EU has adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 on 25 June 2026, introducing reduced customs duties on a wide range of goods originating from the US to support stronger bilateral trade relations. The regulation reduces the Common Customs Tariff to
See MoreEuropean Commission releases final report on ATAD evaluation
The European Commission has published its final evaluation report on the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) on 25 June 2026, covering the period from 1 January 2019 to mid-2025. The report assesses the effectiveness of ATAD in meeting its
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