Trade policy is the set of measures aimed at regulating trade in goods and services with third countries. It is an exclusive competence of the European Union and is managed through the European Commission. The Member States assist the EU in this action through the Trade Policy Committee (TPC) provided for in Article 207 TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the European Union DG, participates in the EU’s work at all levels, first and foremost in the TPC, providing the necessary contributions to the definition of the common trade policy and representing the interests of national productive sectors there.
Trade policy deals with the negotiation of free trade agreements between the EU and third countries, as well as those within the WTO, both at multilateral and plurilateral levels. These agreements cover tariff liberalisation and the removal of tariff barriers to trade in goods; market access for services; public procurement; protection of intellectual property rights; protection of foreign direct investment; trade defence, anti-dumping, etc.
Again within the EU, trade defence instruments (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures) are developed to protect European companies from unfair trade practices by third countries.
Finally, the EU establishes a special regime for the import and export of certain products, based on their sensitivity and in line with WTO rules. This trade is managed through the Foreign Ministry’s issuing of import and export authorisations or certificates.
You can find here below the opening hours of the UASC desk:
Monday and Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Friday: 1.30 – 3.00 p.m.
Contact details:
Office IV DGEU – Import and export of agricultural products – E-mail: dgue-04.dcpci@esteri.it
Office IX DGEU – Common Trade Policy – E-mail: dgue-09@esteri.it
Office X DGEU – Access to Foreign Markets and Trade Defence – E-mail: dgue-10@esteri.it