Agricultural trade • Table.Briefings

News | Agricultural trade

February 2nd, 2026

Dairy products: How industry views China's tariff announcement

China's announced tariffs on European dairy products have been received with mixed feelings by the industry.

By Julia Dahm

News | Plant protection

January 27th, 2026

Food imports: Alois Rainer opposes European Commission’s plans for pesticides

German Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has criticized EU plans for stricter rules on imported food, voicing skepticism about possible bans on pesticide residues.

By Julia Dahm

News | Food safety

January 15th, 2026

Olive oil: EU Court of Auditors sees gaps in food safety controls

The EU Court of Auditors has identified shortcomings in controls for olive oil. In particular, it sees gaps in imports from outside the EU.

By Julia Dahm

Talk of the Town | Mercosur

January 12th, 2026

Mercosur: Europe’s answer to the 'Donroe' doctrine

EU diplomats want the signing of an FTA with the Mercosur states to be seen as proof that the European Union has recognized the signs of the times and is capable of acting strategically. However, the decision comes at a political price for the bloc.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | Diplomacy

January 6th, 2026

Ireland: Prime Minister Martin calls for greater openness in relations with China

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin is seeking to ease EU-China relations during his visit to China and is pushing for “greater openness” in trade.

By Angela Köckritz

News | Plant protection

January 6th, 2026

Mercosur: France pushes ahead with import ban on pesticides

France is planning to impose import bans on agricultural products with residues of outlawed pesticides. The country has repeatedly called for this approach with reference to the Mercosur trade agreement.

By Julia Dahm

News | Trade policy

December 17th, 2025

Mercosur: EU Parliament approves safeguard mechanism using mirror clauses

The European Parliament has approved a stricter version of the safeguard clauses for the Mercosur agreement. The signing of the agreement on Saturday remains an ambitious but potentially achievable deadline.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | Mercosur

December 9th, 2025

Mercosur: EU Trade Committee in favor of stricter protective measures

The EU Trade Committee has voted in favor of protective measures as part of the Mercosur deal, but wants to tighten them up. This is in response to criticism from agricultural politicians.

By Julia Dahm

Feature | Trade policy

December 4th, 2025

Soybean deal: What the US export business with China actually looks like

Soybeans have become a central flashpoint in the trade dispute between the United States and China. After the US government announced a deal with China, prices for soybeans in the United States and for rapeseed in Europe did actually recover. In reality, however, China never confirmed the agreement.

By Steffen Bach

News | Agricultural trade

November 30th, 2025

Spain: China stops pork imports after swine fever outbreak

Following the outbreak of African swine fever in wild boars in Spain, China is stopping all pork imports from the EU country for the time being. The measure could last for at least twelve months.

By Fabian Peltsch