As the world adjusts to the trade shockwaves triggered by U.S. tariffs, Brussels and Abu Dhabi are forging a new path. On Thursday, the European Union and the United Arab Emirates confirmed they will launch formal negotiations on a free trade agreement.
The announcement followed a phone call between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both sides said in separate statements.
The decision comes at a time of global economic uncertainty, just days after President Donald Trump raised import duties, only to scale some of them back under pressure from markets and trade partners. For the EU and UAE, the move signals a clear intention to deepen economic ties and sidestep instability.
The talks will aim to cut tariffs and trade barriers, open up market access for goods and services, and strengthen cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials, according to the EU.
The UAE's state news agency WAM called the agreement a step toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, one that could unlock opportunities in advanced manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and artificial intelligence. The pact is also expected to promote bilateral investment and long-term commercial growth.
The European Union is already the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, making up 8.3 percent of its total non-oil trade. It is also the Emirates’ top export destination and largest investment source in the Middle East and North Africa.
Abu Dhabi has pushed for deeper economic ties with Europe for years, and Reuters reported in March 2024 that the UAE had been quietly urging Brussels to start direct trade talks, independently of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Now, those talks are becoming reality.
A group of French nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS), on trial in Iraq could face execution, a member of Iraq’s Supr...
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
A group of French nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS), on trial in Iraq could face execution, a member of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council told a hearing in Baghdad on Sunday.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged closer ties on Sunday as they sought to strengthen cooperation on geopolitical tensions, climate change, energy and the protection of democratic values.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment