The EU and Japan's Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2019.

EU firms already export nearly €70bn in goods and €28bn in services to Japan every year.

In the past European firms faced trade barriers when exporting to Japan, which sometimes made it hard for them to compete.

The trade agreement with Japan:

• removes tariffs and other trade barriers and creates a platform to cooperate in order to prevent obstacles to trade; and
• helps us shape global trade rules in line with our high standards and shared values, and;
• sends a powerful signal that two of the world's biggest economies reject protectionism.

More information:

• Press release: EU-Japan trade agreement enters into force
• Press release: First year of EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement shows growth in EU exports
• MEMO on the Economic Partnership Agreement
• Photos and videos