This week in the International Trade Committee
Process in Brief
The International Trade Committee meets on 18 and 19 March 2026 for plenary sessions, a coordinators’ meeting and an in-camera exchange, carrying out presentations, exchanges of views and votes, including an interim report in view of the consent procedure on a package of agreements with the Swiss Confederation.
What Is at Stake
Agenda items include a study on industrial overcapacities with a focus on China, the European Court of Auditors special report on critical raw materials for the energy transition, an exchange on the EU‑US‑Japan partnership on critical minerals supply chain resilience, a discussion with Commission representatives on unilateral import bans on Ukrainian products, a study on EU trade in dual-use items with conflict-affected regions and a state-of-play on EU‑US trade relations.
Timeline
Votes on two proposals adjusting customs duties, opening tariff quotas and on the non-application of customs duties for certain goods originating in the United States are scheduled on the committee agenda, with Bernd Lange (S&D) listed as rapporteur.
Sources
Official Documents
- This week in the International Trade Committee INTA committee schedules votes on adjusting US-origin customs duties and opening tariff quotas as part of EU–US trade relations.
Latest EU trade developments
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EU and Australia agree FTA and Security and Defence Partnership
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, and agreed to launch formal negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
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EU and Australia agree Security and Defence Partnership and free trade deal
The European Commission announced that the EU and Australia have adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations on a balanced free trade agreement, and agreed to launch talks on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
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EU envoy briefs delegation after Canada mission
Joost Korte, EU Envoy for the EU–Canada partnership, briefed the European Parliament delegation after a two‑week mission to Canada and outlined priorities ahead of a tentative autumn 2026 summit.
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Similar policy actions
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MEPs back lowering most tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods
MEPs in the International Trade Committee adopted their position on two legislative proposals to eliminate most tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods, by 29 votes in favour, 9 against and 1 abstention.
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MEPs call for new EU measures to strengthen livestock farming
The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee adopted a non-binding set of proposals by 40 votes to 8 to boost productivity, sustainability and competitiveness in the EU livestock sector and now seeks a full parliamentary vote.
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INTA draft agenda, Committee on International Trade (18-19 March 2026)
The Committee on International Trade will meet in Brussels on 18–19 March 2026 to consider draft recommendations, reports and exchanges on voluntary partnership agreements, commodity agreements, customs duty measures and EU-US trade relations.
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