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Trade and Economic Security
  • News article
  • 3 February 2025
  • Brussels
  • Directorate-General for Trade
  • 1 min read

Commission presents Council with EU's first-ever digital trade agreement

The European Commission has presented its digital trade agreement (DTA) with Singapore to the Council, seeking authorisation for its signature.

The DTA with Singapore will help both partners strengthen their relationship further by:

  • Facilitating digital trade by decreasing administrative burdens and increasing legal predictability and legal certainty for businesses, and;
  • Promoting a safe online environment for consumers and building consumer trust, by guaranteeing the protection against unfair market practices and upholding consumers’ information rights with respect to electronic transactions.

The agreement underscores the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and fortifies the EU's role in driving global digital transformation. It marks a significant milestone in the EU's effort to shape global rules on digital trade, championing its values-based approach. By shaping norms in the sector, the EU reaffirms its commitment to a value-based digital agenda in an increasingly digitalised global economy.

Background

The Council gave a greenlight to the European Commission’s mandate for digital trade negotiations with Singapore in June 2023. 

Digital trade covers trade in goods and services enabled by digital means. Digital trade also includes the use of technologies in production or distribution processes, and the transfer of data across borders. The EU and Singapore have already cultivated robust trade ties, underscored by comprehensive trade agreements enacted in 2011 and 2019. 

More information

Digital trade

EU-Singapore agreements

EU trade relations with Singapore 

Details

Publication date
3 February 2025
Author
Directorate-General for Trade
Location
Brussels
Country or region
  • Singapore
Trade topics
  • Digital trade
  • Negotiations and agreements