[Blog] The EU global trade review: new legal tools for international trade

In response to the global economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic the European Commission has launched a major review of EU trade policy. The first act was to launch an inclusive online public consultation on a number of themes: Building a resilient and sustainable EU economy after the coronavirus Reforming the WTO Creating global trade opportunities for businesses and in particular SMEs Maximising the contribution of trade policy to addressing key global challenges: climate change, sustainable development, the digital transition Strengthening of trade and investment relationships with key trading partners Improving the level playing field and protecting EU business and citizens A flavour of how the EU may modernise its trade policy was revealed the next day, on 17 June 2020, when a White Paper was published launching a second consultation on a new trade remedy and legal process addressing the competitive impact of subsidies granted by non-EU states to subsidiaries operating in the EU.