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Rob Francis

@robfranciseu.bsky.social

1.7K followers 262 following 1.1K posts

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

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Are you also confused about a "Section 301 for China" and "red button" tariffs? (Spoiler, they aren't - indeed, can't - be the same thing). Read our explainer on the EU trade defence toolbox and the various US statutes below borderlex.net/2026/10/02/a...

An EU Section 301 – what are we talking about? - Borderlex - European trade policy

Find the current debate in Brussels around trade protection plans targeting China confusing? Here’s a guide through the maze.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Indonesian exporters to the EU face a cliff-edge at the end of the year when their current trade preferences expire - the commission said today it is not willing to extend them until the trade agreement enters into force. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/10/01/i...

Indonesia faces tariff gap before EU trade deal kicks in - Borderlex - European trade policy

The European Commission will not extend Indonesia's current trade preferences when they expire on 1 January, the EU's chief negotiator for the bilateral trade deal told members of the European Parliam...

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Chair of the EP committee on trade Bernd Lange doesn't expect the US to conclude its section 301 probe into excess capacity until after the US midterms (3 November). Matches what US sources have said.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The European Parliament set to host a parliamentary conference in March with other lawmakers from around the world to discuss WTO and WTO reform. Some MEPs want WTO ministerials to take place every year, rather than two years to keep up the political pressure

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Sustainability should be mainstreamed across the EU's sustainable investment agreements with third countries, a recently published study said - but the EU should ensure it provides sufficient tech and financial assistance in return. More by me here borderlex.net/2026/09/30/s...

Study urges stronger green clauses in EU investment pacts - Borderlex - European trade policy

The EU should write stronger sustainability commitments into its investment facilitation agreements with developing countries, a new study says. In return, Brussels should give its partners more techn...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The concept of 'Made in Europe' continues to divide the parliament and political groups. The main drafters are seemingly of one mind but the position of the EPP - largely sidelined so far - could be decisive. See below for latest developments borderlex.net/2026/09/28/i...

IAA: MEPs fail to agree on ‘Made in Europe’ - Borderlex - European trade policy

Members of the European Parliament are as divided as EU ministers over which countries should benefit from the 'made in Europe' rules in the Industrial Accelerator Act.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🚨Brazillian beef likely to be banned in the EU for at least 2 years, a senior commission official said today. On the plus side, imports of honey and poultry could resume following a positive audit earlier this month. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/28/b...

Brazilian beef faces EU ban of at least two years - Borderlex - European trade policy

The EU is unlikely to lift its ban on Brazilian beef for at least two years, a senior European Commission official told members of the European Parliament

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The commission will carry out another audit on Brazillian beef - but this audit is "not envisaged in the short term" says the commission's Eric Thévenet. Says the import ban affecting Brazillian beef is related to the hormone estradiol found in beef destined for the EU.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Has a government spokesperson ever said they would happily provide a "running commentary"? All I ever hear is that that is something they will never do.

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Member states are still divided over who can benefit/will suffer as a result of the IAA. Some, led by France, want "made in EU" to mean "made in EU". Others want to bring in other countries. We did a stocktake of positions following today's ministerial borderlex.net/2026/09/24/e...

EU ministers still split on scope of 'made in Europe' preference - Borderlex - European trade policy

EU economy ministers remain divided over which countries should benefit from the 'made in Europe' rules in the Industrial Accelerator Act.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

ICYMI - we’ve all seen versions of this movie before. And quite recently too.

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Some of the EU's most important trade partners - including the US, Australia, Brazil, and more - lined up to slam EU plans to limit - in some cases to zero - pesticide residues in imports. We've seen the letter they sent to the commission. More below borderlex.net/2026/09/23/f...

Farm exporters warn EU pesticide plans clash with WTO rules - Borderlex - European trade policy

Nineteen agricultural exporting countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, India and Brazil, warned the EU that its plans to tighten limits on pesticide residues in imported food are inconsistent wit...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Any views on why the EU and Phillippines decided to announce their trade agreement today? No ministers in town and the thing isn't even done yet (so much for "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed"). And it's not as if there's been a shortage of trade deals recently

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Another FTA with another Asian economy achieved - well, nearly. The commission said today that "substantial agreement" had been reached with the Philippines, with just the details to be ironed out. Conclusion in next few months. All the details below borderlex.net/2026/09/22/e...

EU, Philippines reach “substantial” deal on free trade pact - Borderlex - European trade policy

The European Union and the Philippines reached a "substantial agreement" on a free trade agreement, with both sides pledging to conclude the deal in the coming months.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The European Commission wants to start talks on a digital trade agreement with Costa Rica - council expected to greenlight the recommendation by end of the year, talks could conclude in 2028. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/09/21/b...

Brussels to seek digital trade deal with Costa Rica - Borderlex - European trade policy

The European Commission recommended opening negotiations with Costa Rica on a digital trade agreement, aiming to conclude talks during 2028.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

We got more meat on the bones of future EU-Canada engagement-not a lot, but a little. One thing emerged - Ottawa is not cockahoop about becoming an associate member of the EU. Possibly VDL overstepped. But strengthening ties remains a key goal. More below borderlex.net/2026/09/17/c...

Carney backs EU links as questions persist over shape of new alliance - Borderlex - European trade policy

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney welcomed an invitation from Ursula von der Leyen to open talks on a new EU-Canada alliance. But he stopped short of embracing her suggestion that Canada become an a...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

As noted by Bruegel - Mark Carney gave a press conference after addressing parliament where he took questions from the media - and this was both worthwhile and appreciated. VDL...didn't even do a press confernece after her #SOTEU. I really think she should, it would help a lot

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

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 ...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

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...

Reposted by Rob Francis

Nicolai von Ondarza @nvondarza.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

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.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

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;

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

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

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

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...

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

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...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

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...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

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 ...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

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

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

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.

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

🚨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.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

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.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

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.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

EU-Canada summit to take place on 29-30 October in Montreal

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

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)

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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...

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...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

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...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

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...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

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

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

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

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

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

Borderlex @borderlex.net · 26/08/2026

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

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Big news coming out of Australia with the political opposition saying they are against the trade agreement with the EU, saying it is the "worst deal ever"! Ratification in Canberra is on a knife-edge. More by me below borderlex.net/2026/08/26/a...

Australian opposition threatens to sink EU trade deal - Borderlex - European trade policy

The leader of one of Australia’s main opposition parties said he would not support ratification of the trade agreement between Australia and the European Union, calling it "the worst deal ever".

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Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Switzerland and China concluded talks on a free trade agreement last week. Borderlex's @chrishorseman.bsky.social dissects the deal which is, perhaps, maybe, going against the grain of trade policy in Europe at the moment and contains some genuinely interesting stuff borderlex.net/category/wor...

WTO Fish Archives - Borderlex - European trade policy

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Bangladesh reportedly next in line to start trade talks with the EU later this year. Dhaka will lose its right to export duty free to the bloc in 2029 so there is some urgency.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Looks like the EU ban on Brazilian animal food products will come into force after all on 3 September. Talks will likely drag on until end September, with a vote in the EU's expert committee not due until November. More below borderlex.net/2026/07/31/b...

Brazil faces months-long wait to lift EU meat ban - Borderlex - European trade policy

Brazilian exporters of beef and chicken are frontloading deliveries to the EU ahead of a ban on animal-product imports from the country that takes effect on 3 September.

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Exclusive: The chair of the European Parliament's China delegation Engin Eroglu told me he doesn't see China changing its industrial policies anytime soon - also says EU should initiate its anti-coercion instrument after China's most recent export controls borderlex.net/2026/07/30/e...

Exclusive: Eroglu sees no shift in Beijing's export policies - Borderlex - European trade policy

The chair of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China said he does not expect Beijing to change its export-driven policies, even as the EU's goods deficit with China approaches €1...

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

This article is now in front of the Borderlex paywall you lucky, lucky people :)

Reposted by Rob Francis

Rob Francis @robfranciseu.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

This should have said “aims to ratify the trade agreement with Indonesia in December” - urgh, nevermind.