Rob Francis
@robfranciseu.bsky.social
Managing editor and Brussels editor for Borderlex covering EU trade policy and coordinating coverage in across London, Geneva, and much else besides. Recovering lobbyist. Occasional meme maker. Season ticket holder Union Saint-Gilloise and Belgium
We went through the tariff schedules for cars in the EU-India trade agreement - so you don't have to. Now you really owe us. Long story short - EU protects its premium market. India protects (to a greater extent) manufacturers of smaller cars. More here borderlex.net/2026/09/16/e...
EU-India series: Car tariff quotas explained - Borderlex - European trade policy
The EU has set out to protect its premium car sector and has smaller quotas for more expensive cars.In contrast, India wants to protect its manufacturers of lower value vehicles and has kept in place ...
borderlex.net
September 16, 2026 at 3:45 PM
We went through the tariff schedules for cars in the EU-India trade agreement - so you don't have to. Now you really owe us. Long story short - EU protects its premium market. India protects (to a greater extent) manufacturers of smaller cars. More here borderlex.net/2026/09/16/e...
The European Commission wants Canada to be the first associate member of the EU. But what does that mean in practice? And under what treaty article could this be arranged? My piece below with thanks to @nvondarza.bsky.social and @alanherve.bsky.social for their insights borderlex.net/2026/09/16/v...
Von der Leyen dangles associate EU membership for Canada - Borderlex - European trade policy
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen wants Canada to become the first country with associate status in the European Union. Legal scholars see a possible route through a specific treaty a...
borderlex.net
September 16, 2026 at 11:39 AM
The European Commission wants Canada to be the first associate member of the EU. But what does that mean in practice? And under what treaty article could this be arranged? My piece below with thanks to @nvondarza.bsky.social and @alanherve.bsky.social for their insights borderlex.net/2026/09/16/v...
Reposted by Rob Francis
Interestingly, over the weekend Carney still played down the speculation in the WSJ over an 'Associate Membership' for Canada, insisting instead he aims for a 'unique partnership'. Will be very interesting to see the follow up.
September 16, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Interestingly, over the weekend Carney still played down the speculation in the WSJ over an 'Associate Membership' for Canada, insisting instead he aims for a 'unique partnership'. Will be very interesting to see the follow up.
VDL wants Canada to become an "associate member" of the EU. But what does this mean in practice? Such a provision doesn't exist in the treaties;
September 16, 2026 at 7:57 AM
VDL wants Canada to become an "associate member" of the EU. But what does this mean in practice? Such a provision doesn't exist in the treaties;
Nothing new on China in #SOTEU - VDL calls the trade deficit "unsustainable", says the EU-China dialogue must bring results. If it doesn't "we'll use all our tools to rebalance our relationship. Words are good, but deeds are better." Doesn't even mention the diversification tool
September 16, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Nothing new on China in #SOTEU - VDL calls the trade deficit "unsustainable", says the EU-China dialogue must bring results. If it doesn't "we'll use all our tools to rebalance our relationship. Words are good, but deeds are better." Doesn't even mention the diversification tool
MEPs today backed increasing the number of covered products under the EU carbon border measure - and even added to it. But they don’t want any sector to be exempt when there are price crunches. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/15/m...
MEPs reject CBAM exemption option - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Parliament voted on plans to reform the EU’s carbon border levy. They backed an expansion of its product scope proposed by the European Commission, but rejected tabled a safety valve in t...
borderlex.net
September 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM
MEPs today backed increasing the number of covered products under the EU carbon border measure - and even added to it. But they don’t want any sector to be exempt when there are price crunches. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/15/m...
Any EU-Canada rapprochement will impact relations with the CPTPP, argues @apatinocruz in this op-ed. The EU needs to decide now what this rapprochement will look like - and not sit on its hands borderlex.net/2026/09/15/o...
Opinion: Canada's 'unique alliance' with the EU is a CPTPP story - Borderlex - European trade policy
Brussels is still pondering what to offer Canada as it seeks a deeper partnership with the European Union. One thing is certain: anything the EU builds with Ottawa is not a bilateral instrument. It is...
borderlex.net
September 15, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Any EU-Canada rapprochement will impact relations with the CPTPP, argues @apatinocruz in this op-ed. The EU needs to decide now what this rapprochement will look like - and not sit on its hands borderlex.net/2026/09/15/o...
In the first of a series of in-depth pieces looking at the tariff schedules and quotas in the EU-India free trade agreement, Borderlex deputy editor @chrishorseman.bsky.social analyses the provisions on agri-food borderlex.net/2026/09/14/e...
EU-India series: Reduced ambition on agri-food - Borderlex - European trade policy
In the agriculture sector, where the EU and India both have acute political sensitivities, Brussels and New Delhi consciously scaled back their ambitions in the interests of delivering an acceptable o...
borderlex.net
September 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
In the first of a series of in-depth pieces looking at the tariff schedules and quotas in the EU-India free trade agreement, Borderlex deputy editor @chrishorseman.bsky.social analyses the provisions on agri-food borderlex.net/2026/09/14/e...
The aluminium industry is furious after the commission decided to shelve proposals to restrict exports of aluminium scrap and use the waste shipment regulation instead. More info by me after seeing one of the angriest letters I have seen! borderlex.net/2026/09/11/a...
Aluminium industry lashes out at EU over shelved export curbs - Borderlex - European trade policy
Europe's aluminium industry has reacted angrily to the European Commission's decision to shelve a draft proposal to restrict exports of aluminium scrap, after the EU executive opted instead to tackle ...
borderlex.net
September 11, 2026 at 1:14 PM
The aluminium industry is furious after the commission decided to shelve proposals to restrict exports of aluminium scrap and use the waste shipment regulation instead. More info by me after seeing one of the angriest letters I have seen! borderlex.net/2026/09/11/a...
Commission proposes India FTA for signature BUT still no sign of those schedules! Unless I am missing something (?) ec.europa.eu/transparency...
Register of Commission Documents
ec.europa.eu
September 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Commission proposes India FTA for signature BUT still no sign of those schedules! Unless I am missing something (?) ec.europa.eu/transparency...
Nearly three quarters of EU businesses want the bloc to conclude a region-region FTA with ASEAN, according to a new survey conducted by the EU-ASEAN Business Council, with half wanting talks to begin as soon as next year. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/09/e...
EU businesses want Brussels to pursue Asean-wide trade deal - Borderlex - European trade policy
Nearly three-quarters of European businesses want the European Union to negotiate a region-to-region free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to a new survey.
borderlex.net
September 9, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Nearly three quarters of EU businesses want the bloc to conclude a region-region FTA with ASEAN, according to a new survey conducted by the EU-ASEAN Business Council, with half wanting talks to begin as soon as next year. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/09/e...
🚨SCOOP: MEPs want to limit the scope of the IAA in public procurement to EU countries only - with gradual expansion based on reciprocity to follow. More on the parliament's draft report - to be published imminently - below borderlex.net/2026/09/08/e...
Exclusive: Lawmakers seek EU-first rule for state contracts - Borderlex - European trade policy
European Parliament rapporteurs want public procurement contracts to favour European Union firms first, before opening the market further on the basis of reciprocity.
borderlex.net
September 8, 2026 at 1:22 PM
🚨SCOOP: MEPs want to limit the scope of the IAA in public procurement to EU countries only - with gradual expansion based on reciprocity to follow. More on the parliament's draft report - to be published imminently - below borderlex.net/2026/09/08/e...
EU trade commissioner says last week's commission trip to China was "more positive" than he expected and touted plans to encourage firms to diversify supply chains. More by me here borderlex.net/2026/09/08/s...
Šefčovič hails China visit as more successful than expected - Borderlex - European trade policy
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said a European Commission delegation's visit to China last week had been more successful than he had expected.
borderlex.net
September 8, 2026 at 10:52 AM
EU trade commissioner says last week's commission trip to China was "more positive" than he expected and touted plans to encourage firms to diversify supply chains. More by me here borderlex.net/2026/09/08/s...
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič speaking at event in Berlin today tees up the EU's future instrument to encourage/oblige firms to diversify away from China. "The cost of diversification is definitely smaller than the cost of disruption" he says.
September 8, 2026 at 7:56 AM
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič speaking at event in Berlin today tees up the EU's future instrument to encourage/oblige firms to diversify away from China. "The cost of diversification is definitely smaller than the cost of disruption" he says.
EU-Canada summit to take place on 29-30 October in Montreal
September 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
EU-Canada summit to take place on 29-30 October in Montreal
EU Imports of China-made electric vehicles will likely be at the same height by October as the 2023 peak even after the EU introduced countervailing tariffs. “That would not prove the duties have failed. Without them, imports might have been higher still” says Soapbox newsletter)
September 7, 2026 at 12:48 PM
EU Imports of China-made electric vehicles will likely be at the same height by October as the 2023 peak even after the EU introduced countervailing tariffs. “That would not prove the duties have failed. Without them, imports might have been higher still” says Soapbox newsletter)
In EU trade policy news you may have missed this week:
📌EU lawmakers back Armenia trade liberalisation
📌Comm provides updates on Côte d'Ivoire investment talks
📌WTO General Council chair in Brussels
borderlex.net/2026/09/04/w...
📌EU lawmakers back Armenia trade liberalisation
📌Comm provides updates on Côte d'Ivoire investment talks
📌WTO General Council chair in Brussels
borderlex.net/2026/09/04/w...
Week in Brussels: Armenia, Côte d’Ivoire, WTO - Borderlex - European trade policy
Free articles this monthYou are reading 1 of your 3 free premium articles this month.Request free trialAlready a subscriber or on a trial? Log in.The EU institutions have got straight back to work aft...
borderlex.net
September 4, 2026 at 8:41 AM
In EU trade policy news you may have missed this week:
📌EU lawmakers back Armenia trade liberalisation
📌Comm provides updates on Côte d'Ivoire investment talks
📌WTO General Council chair in Brussels
borderlex.net/2026/09/04/w...
📌EU lawmakers back Armenia trade liberalisation
📌Comm provides updates on Côte d'Ivoire investment talks
📌WTO General Council chair in Brussels
borderlex.net/2026/09/04/w...
Borderlex's pay wall has changed. From now on anyone - yes, even you, non-subscriber - can read three articles a month FOR FREE! After that the wall goes up. So make sure you choose...wisely. Or just subscribe. That could work too.
September 4, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Borderlex's pay wall has changed. From now on anyone - yes, even you, non-subscriber - can read three articles a month FOR FREE! After that the wall goes up. So make sure you choose...wisely. Or just subscribe. That could work too.
EU and Philippines are edging towards a trade deal, with just a few issues (the hardest issues) remaining. Update on the talks by Borderlex's new trade journalist Claire Lemaire borderlex.net/2026/09/03/e...
EU and Philippines edge towards free trade deal - Borderlex - European trade policy
Brussels and Manila are closing in on a free trade agreement, with the European Commission's chief negotiator telling parliamentarians a deal could be sealed within weeks — though gaps remain on goods...
borderlex.net
September 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
EU and Philippines are edging towards a trade deal, with just a few issues (the hardest issues) remaining. Update on the talks by Borderlex's new trade journalist Claire Lemaire borderlex.net/2026/09/03/e...
There are "quite important gaps" in the EU-UAE trade talks, the commission's lead negotiator said today, and only two chapters have been concluded. Energy pricing, sustainability, public procurement bedevil the talks, but they're not the only problems. More below by me borderlex.net/2026/09/03/e...
EU, UAE trade talks make progress but key gaps remain - Borderlex - European trade policy
The European Union and the United Arab Emirates have made good progress on their free trade agreement, but "quite important gaps" remain in several areas, a senior European Commission trade official t...
borderlex.net
September 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM
There are "quite important gaps" in the EU-UAE trade talks, the commission's lead negotiator said today, and only two chapters have been concluded. Energy pricing, sustainability, public procurement bedevil the talks, but they're not the only problems. More below by me borderlex.net/2026/09/03/e...
Also - MEPs feel they need to set the criteria for which third countries can be classified as 'Made in Europe' - why? Because the commission didn't do it! Seems crazy to me. If this is done wrong can jeopardise entire trading relationships
Interesting point by EPP trade spokesperson Jörgen Warborn that the EU risks losing some market access in its FTA negotiations as a result of the IAA. Currently uncertain whether FTA partners will be considered as "Made in Europe", but so far seems not. EPP pushing strongly for them to be included
September 3, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Also - MEPs feel they need to set the criteria for which third countries can be classified as 'Made in Europe' - why? Because the commission didn't do it! Seems crazy to me. If this is done wrong can jeopardise entire trading relationships
Interesting point by EPP trade spokesperson Jörgen Warborn that the EU risks losing some market access in its FTA negotiations as a result of the IAA. Currently uncertain whether FTA partners will be considered as "Made in Europe", but so far seems not. EPP pushing strongly for them to be included
September 3, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Interesting point by EPP trade spokesperson Jörgen Warborn that the EU risks losing some market access in its FTA negotiations as a result of the IAA. Currently uncertain whether FTA partners will be considered as "Made in Europe", but so far seems not. EPP pushing strongly for them to be included
New director general of the commission's trade department said today the EU was looking for "concrete results" from its talks with China. The EU executive has also ramped up its resources on trade defence. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/02/j...
Juul Jørgensen: EU wants 'proof of concept' from China - Borderlex - European trade policy
Ditte Juul Jørgensen, the European Commission's new director-general for trade and economic security, said the EU is looking for "concrete results" and "proof of concept" from its ongoing talks with C...
borderlex.net
September 2, 2026 at 1:09 PM
New director general of the commission's trade department said today the EU was looking for "concrete results" from its talks with China. The EU executive has also ramped up its resources on trade defence. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/02/j...
Will Mark Carney call on the 10 non-ratifying EU countries to ratify the EU-Canada trade agreement - CETA? Naysayers include France, Italy, Poland and Ireland. Maybe ratify that before touting Canada's potential as a future EU member state!
August 31, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Will Mark Carney call on the 10 non-ratifying EU countries to ratify the EU-Canada trade agreement - CETA? Naysayers include France, Italy, Poland and Ireland. Maybe ratify that before touting Canada's potential as a future EU member state!
Reposted by Rob Francis
Australia's ratification of its trade pact with EU not going very smoothly as opposition signals it will vote against, reports @robfranciseu.bsky.social
#EUAustralia
#EUAustralia
August 26, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Australia's ratification of its trade pact with EU not going very smoothly as opposition signals it will vote against, reports @robfranciseu.bsky.social
#EUAustralia
#EUAustralia