The EU currently has the largest trade network in the world with 45 applied trade agreements covering 77 partner countries. The 4th Annual Report, which covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2019, covers 36 important EU preferential trade agreements that were in force for a significant period with 65 different partners in 2019. Negotiated agreements, meetings, fact sheets, round tables In some circumstances, trade negotiations with a trading partner have been concluded but not yet signed or ratified. This means that although the negotiations have been concluded, no part of the agreement is yet in force. EU trade agreements cover one-third of the EU`s external trade with third countries, amounting to €1.345 billion in 2019, according to the report. The agreements contributed €113 billion to the EU`s total trade surplus of €197 billion. and proved to be particularly important for European SMEs operating outside the EU, whose number increased by an average of 6% between 2014 and 2017. “At a time when the European economy is in crisis, international trade is more important than ever. Our trade agreements facilitate the growth of EU businesses through trade outside the Single Market. Tariff reductions boost trade, and this is confirmed in our growing trade with Canada and Japan,” said Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. “We are taking many steps to ensure that all businesses in the EU, large and small, can really benefit from our trade agreements. That`s why we`ve just launched a new website “Access2Markets” to help them.

In addition, we promote international standards such as workers` rights and the environment in our trade agreements. » Factsheet, serious reports, impact assessments, exporters` reports Trade with the 65 preferential partners covered by the report increased by 3.4% in 2019, while the EU`s total external trade increased by 2.5%. In particular, the EU`s trade agreements with Canada and Japan have boosted trade by almost 25% and 6% respectively since their entry into force. Factsheets, Vietnamese trade in your city, texts of agreements, exporters` stories In addition, the report takes a closer look at the first year of implementation of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and shows that the agreement: Finally, the report analyses the progress made in the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development (CSD) chapters, which are part of all modern EU trade agreements. By implementing these chapters, the EU aims to maximise the leverage effect of increased trade and investment in order to make progress on key issues such as the promotion of decent work and environmental protection or the fight against climate change. Although the report notes that the implementation of these chapters presents challenges, the Vietnam Agreement is cited as a successful example of how EU cooperation with its partners before its entry into force can bring tangible progress on these issues, in particular with regard to working commitments. The European Parliament and representatives of the Member States, as well as other EU institutions and stakeholders, will now discuss the report with the Commission. The 4th Annual Report on the Implementation of the European Union`s Trade Agreements in 2019, published today, highlights the benefits of expanding our global trade network. Despite tensions in global trade, the report shows that EU trade agreements continue to facilitate fair and sustainable trade and strengthen the framework of international rules. The EU has concluded trade agreements with these countries/regions, but both sides are currently negotiating an update. The European Commission reports annually on the implementation of its main trade agreements during the previous calendar year.

The 4th EU Report on the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (other languages), published in November 2020, with the foreword by DG Trade Director-General Sabine Weyand (other languages), provides an overview of achievements in 2019 and the work that remains to be done on the EU`s 36 main preferential trade agreements. The attached Commission Staff Working Document provides detailed information in accordance with trade agreements and partners. The report also shows that in 2019, in the second year of its entry into force, the EU-Canada Agreement (CETA): Fact Sheets, Questions and Answers, Exporter Reports Full Agreement, Exports to EU Regions, Fact Sheets, Exporter Assistance. .