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Trade

Expert groups

The European Commission has set up groups of experts to provide additional technical expertise in various areas of trade agreements, negotiations, and policy.

Trade topics
Policy analysisTrade policy

These groups are typically made up of European-level, non-government organisations representing their interests for the EU trade negotiating agenda.

Export groups are part of the Commission's focus on transparent and inclusive trade policymaking.

Expert groups explained

Expert group on trade agreements

Between December 2017 and the end of 2019, the European Commission put in place an expert group on EU trade agreements. Its role was to provide extra advice to the Commission during trade negotiations and the implementation of trade agreements. The group’s mandate expired at the end of 2019.

The group included employers' organisations, trade unions, representative associations, socio-economic interest groups (like consumer associations) and other civil society organisations.

Trade Economist Network

The European Trade Economist Network (TEN) is an informal network of trade economists in the governments of EU countries, the Permanent Representations and the European Commission.

These economists discuss the economic impact of current trade policy issues, present their own analyses and papers, and share knowledge. Members meet twice a year in one-day meetings.

Other active expert groups dealing with trade policy

Title Purpose Documents
Generalised Scheme of Preferences Advise the Commission services on practical implementation aspects of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which provides trade preferences to… Members, meetings, documents
Preparatory meetings of the WTO Committee for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues (SPS) Assist the Commission in preparing the EU positions for the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committees . Discuss the relevant agenda items of the WTO SPS… Members, meetings, documents
Responsible sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold Advise the Commission services on matters pertaining to the responsible sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold Members, meetings, documents
Screening of FDI into the EU To provide the Commission with advice and expertise on matters relating to foreign direct investments into the EU Members, meetings, documents
Steel Facilitate the co-ordination of measures concerning trade in certain steel products originating in certain third countries Members, meetings, documents
Système Intégré de Gestion de Licences (SIGL) To discuss the technical and practical aspects of the textiles and steel licensing system (SIGL) Members, meetings, documents
Trade and investment relations with China The mission is to provide a forum for an in-depth discussion between the Commission and Member State capital based experts on trade and investment relations… Members, meetings, documents
Trade and Sustainable Development Exchange of views on Trade and Sustainable Development matters, in bilateral and multilateral context Members, meetings, documents

Tune in to trade policy insights

Picture of Valdis Dombrovskis

Episode 1

What does it take to steer EU trade policy through the challenges of our times?

Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis shares his insights into the inner workings of EU trade policy.

19/10/2023 | Episode 1 | 31 minutes

Picture of Denis Redonnet, Martin Lukas and Carolina Cumbo Nacheli

Episode 2

What does it take to defend open trade and help European companies compete fairly on the global market?

Tom Moylan meets the European Commission’s Chief Trade Enforcement Officer Denis Redonnet and two seasoned trade defence experts.

28/11/2023 | Episode 2 | 34 minutes

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