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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12833
Contents Publication in full By article 22 / 33
EXTERNAL ACTION / Trade

World merchandise trade slows in second half of 2021

The Goods Trade Barometer, released by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 15 November, shows a decline in goods trade in the second half of this year. This barometer indicates the likely trend for the last few months, before official figures become available.

It showed an upturn in merchandise trade in May, which was mainly due to the very low level in the same period in 2020 (see EUROPE 12729/26). 

More recently, there have been supply chain disruptions in critical sectors. Automotive products declined the most due to the shortage of semiconductors. Electronic components were also negatively affected.

Only the air freight index remained above trend. 

See the results of the WTO barometer: https://bit.ly/2YV6EQK (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)

Contents

BEACONS
Beacons: The future of the media under debate in Madrid
SECURITY - DEFENCE
DEFENCE: ‘Strategic Compass’ welcomed by EU ministers
DEFENCE: fourteen new projects will be launched under PESCO
SPACE: ‘Strategic Compass’, a new space strategy for defence and security to be launched in late 2023
SECTORAL POLICIES
DIGITAL: ‘ePrivacy’, further discussions between EU Council and Parliament scheduled for 18 November
TRANSPORT: ‘Single European Sky’, next interinstitutional negotiations are going to be complicated
ENERGY: energy price rises, ACER finds no manipulation of wholesale electricity market
ENERGY: German regulator suspends Nord Stream 2 pipeline certification on regulatory grounds
CLIMATE/FINANCE: over 20 MEPs urge Commission to keep fossil gas and nuclear out of EU taxonomy
COHESION: consequences of slow implementation of 2021-2027 cohesion policy are to be put into perspective, according to European Commission
ENVIRONMENT: almost 60% of EU premature deaths due to fine particulate matter in 2019 were avoidable, according to EEA
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: Parliament and EU Council reach agreement on EU 2022 budget
BUDGET: auditors give mixed picture of EU spending programme performance
TRANSPARENCY: European Ombudsman calls for revision of regulation on access to EU institution documents
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
POLAND: ability of Minister of Justice to appoint and terminate judges without predefined criteria threatens judicial independence, Court says
HUNGARY: Hungary has violated EU law by criminalising assistance provided by associations to asylum seekers
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: pay transparency, co-legislators reflect on company disclosures and workers’ legal rights
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL: Slovenian EU Council Presidency seems to want to take step towards European Parliament on coordination of social security systems
EXTERNAL ACTION
UZBEKISTAN: work progresses on agreement for an enhanced cooperation partnership with EU
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP: EU reaffirms its strong commitment to region
SWITZERLAND: Commission and Berne will take stock in January on how to address outstanding issues
TRADE: world merchandise trade slows in second half of 2021
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECONOMY: European Fiscal Board recommends streamlining use of EU fiscal rules escape clause
TAXATION: Tax Justice Network says OECD countries foster majority of tax evasion
NEWS BRIEFS
BANKS: European Banking Authority identifies priorities for banking supervision and resolution in 2022
CHINA: Beijing again calls on EU to lift sanctions if it wants to make progress on investment agreement
DEFENCE: EU Defence Ministers agree to strengthen cooperation with USA
DEVELOPMENT: EU external action on water to be discussed at ministerial level on 19 November
ENERGY: dispute continues between Czech Republic and Poland over Turów mine
ETHIOPIA: increasingly concerned about armed conflict in Tigray, EU fully supports African Union mediation
SECURITY: EU prepares sanctions against Wagner Group
TRANSPORT: interim agreement on hiring of vehicles without drivers approved in European Parliament committee
TRANSPORT: EU and Armenia sign agreement on a Common Aviation Area