Introduction to free trade agreements

This subtopic provides an overview of free trade agreements. It is aimed at lawyers who need a high-level overview of the legal framework. This subtopic contains the following guidance:

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Practice Note:Introduction to free trade agreements
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Practice Note: Free Trade Comparator
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Practice Note: The Windsor Framework—trade between Northern Ireland, the UK and EU
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Practice Note: Health certification for medium-risk animals, plants and products and high-risk food
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Practice

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Latest International Trade News

International Trade weekly highlights—9 October 2025

This week's edition of International Trade weekly highlights includes: the World Trade Organization panel publishing a report regarding EU duties on Indonesian steel products and revising global trade forecasts in the October 2025 statistics update, the European Commission proposing steel import restrictions to replace expiring safeguard measures and the EU publishing an agreement extending preferential tariff treatment to Western Sahara.

WTO revises global trade forecasts in October 2025 statistics update

The World Trade Organization (WTO) revised its global merchandise trade growth forecast for 2025 to 2.4%, up from 0.9% in August 2025—while lowering its 2026 projection to 0.5% from 1.8%, according to the October 2025 update. AI-related goods, including semiconductors and telecommunications equipment, drove nearly half of the trade expansion in the first half of 2025, with a 20% year-on-year increase. WTO attributed this growth to the frontloading of North American imports ahead of planned tariff increases and noting that South-South trade grew 8% year-on-year. However, it warned that higher tariffs and ongoing trade policy uncertainty are likely to slow growth in 2026.

Commission proposes steel import restrictions to replace expiring safeguard measures

The European Commission has introduced a proposal to protect the EU steel sector from the adverse effects of global overcapacity, fulfilling commitments under the EU Steel and Metal Action Plan. The proposal limits tariff-free imports to 18.3 million tonnes annually (a 47% reduction from the 2024 quotas), doubles out-of-quota duties to 50% (up from 25% under the current safeguards) and introduces ‘Melt and Pour’ traceability requirements to prevent circumvention. It is designed to replace steel safeguards that expire in June 2026 and exempts Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein under EEA arrangements. The Commission states the measure is World Trade Organization compliance and the proposal will proceed through ordinary legislative procedure requiring approval from both Parliament and Council, with the Council Decision needing a qualified majority to ensure uninterrupted protection of the EU steel sector.

EU publishes agreement extending preferential tariff treatment to Western Sahara

The European Union (EU) has published an agreement with Morocco extending preferential tariff treatment to products originating in Western Sahara, with provisional application from 3 October 2025. The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amends Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, requiring products from Western Sahara subject to Moroccan customs controls to receive the same trade preferences as those under the Association Agreement. The agreement establishes new labelling requirements for fruit and vegetables to indicate their place of origin, with products identified by reference to the region of origin (Dakhla and Laayoune) on proofs of origin. Protocol 4 applies mutatis mutandis for defining originating status, while the EU may grant Moroccan authorities necessary authorisations to draw up certificates of conformity proving compliance with Union marketing standards. The agreement replaces the 2018 agreement and responds to the Court of Justice judgment of 4 October 2024 in Joined Cases C-779/21 P and C-799/21 P. The EU has committed to provide funding for key sectors including water, energy and combating desertification, alongside increased humanitarian aid to Tindouf camps. Discussions with the Council of the EU and European Parliament are required for the agreement's conclusion.

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