Latest news and stories about trade policy in finance in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Union has vowed to react swiftly and with determination if United States President Donald Trump implements his threat to impose 100% tariffs on European imports. The threat follows potential European plans to tax digital services, which Trump claims unfairly targets American tech companies.
United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on automobiles manufactured in the European Union, accusing the bloc of violating a previously negotiated trade agreement. This move follows the recent entry into force of the trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur bloc, which was highlighted today by European Council President António Costa.
António Luís Santos da Costa (born July 17, 1961, in Lisbon) is a Portuguese lawyer and Socialist politician who served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015-2024 and currently serves as President of the European Council since December 1, 2024. After leading the Lisbon Municipal Assembly and practicing law, he was elected MEP (2004-2005) and entered parliament in 2002. He led the Socialist Party from 2014-2024, building unprecedented parliamentary coalitions with the Communist Party and Left Bloc (2015-2019) before winning an absolute majority in 2022. He resigned as PM in November 2023 following a corruption investigation, though subsequently cleared. The 27 EU member states elected him Council President in June 2024, making him the fourth full-time President and the first southern European socialist in that role.
Political Philosophy:
Costa represents moderate European social democracy, combining orthodox fiscal responsibility with progressive social investment. He prioritizes European integration, consensus-building, and pragmatic compromise over ideological confrontation. As Council President, he champions mediation between member states, improved EU inter-institutional relations, shorter decision-making processes, and regular visits to every EU capital to reconnect citizens with European institutions. His approach emphasizes "creative bridges" reconciling divergent interests while maintaining firmness on European values, particularly regarding Ukraine.
César Araújo, president of the National Association of Clothing, Fashion and Textile Industries (Anivec), criticised the EU’s planned €3 fee on small imports as insufficient and called it a 'smokescreen' that won’t stop Chinese e‑commerce evading taxes. Araújo links the problem to job losses in domestic manufacturing and says the fee, effective from July for orders over €150, will not address structural evasion. Textile businesses and retail employers should follow EU rules but also press for stronger measures if they rely on local supply chains.
Anivec is the National Association of Clothing, Fashion and Textile Industries, a trade group representing Portuguese clothing, fashion and textile companies. Its leaders are warning that the EU’s new €3 fee on extra-EU orders over €150, due to take effect in July, may not be enough to protect local manufacturers, a point that matters for producers, retailers and consumers because it can affect prices and competition.
Analysis reveals that Portugal suffered a disproportionately high impact from US tariffs, despite the overall effect on the European Union remaining relatively minor.
China's Ministry of Commerce has warned of potential retaliation against the European Union's proposed industrial accelerator law, citing concerns over discriminatory investment barriers for foreign firms.
Trade expert Ignacio García Bercero advises the EU to pursue a conditional agreement with the US, citing ongoing uncertainty regarding the Trump administration's tariff policies as the European Parliament prepares to deliberate on the Turnberry deal.
Brüssel prüft derzeit Möglichkeiten zum Schutz dieser beiden Branchen, nachdem mit China eine Vereinbarung zur Begrenzung der Einfuhren von Hybridfahrzeugen getroffen wurde.
Following electric vehicles, solar panels, and steel products, China is now exporting low-cost chicken in large quantities. According to Chinese customs data, exports in the first half of 2026 equalled the entirety of 2021, putting the country on track for a new record. A surge in domestic production has created a surplus that is drawing attention from Western regulators concerned with anti-competitive pricing. While the European Commission is investigating duck exports and has imposed tariffs on pea protein, Chinese chicken currently remains exempt. This comes amidst a broader trend of rising global protein prices, as China shifts from a net importer to an exporter, threatening producers worldwide.
After 'a first step' to limit exports of Chinese hybrid cars to the European bloc, the major question being raised at this Thursday and Friday's European Council is: what more can the 27 member states do alongside dialogue and diplomacy?
Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, warned the European Union (EU) on Tuesday about the risks of excessive dependence on China, presenting the island as a “natural partner” for the European bloc.
The agreement was reached last Friday, after two days of intense negotiations in Beijing.
The European Union is set to limit imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles to 350,000 units annually, a trade safeguard measure potentially taking effect on 1 December, as reported by Bloomberg. The plan aims to address the EU's trade deficit with Beijing, while China claims the agreement allows for stable growth for its companies and reserves its rights under WTO rules.
The European Union will limit imports of Chinese hybrid cars to 350,000 units per year, a measure that could come into effect on December 1, reported the Bloomberg news agency today.
Europe imposed tariffs at the Union's border on state-subsidised electric vehicles produced in China. It then requested that the Chinese cut PHEV exports to avoid similar penalties. China has complied.
European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic described the outcome of talks with China as a 'crucial first step' toward rebalancing trade relations, though he noted the agreed measures are only the beginning of the process. Following two days of meetings in Beijing with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, Sefcovic stated that the results will be presented to EU leaders in Brussels next week. Both parties agreed to manage differences within WTO rules, with plans for a third ministerial meeting in March 2027. Key outcomes include a 'green channel' for exporting rare earths and permanent magnets to Europe, intended to improve supply chain transparency. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) welcomed the progress toward reducing trade tensions while awaiting a detailed analysis of the agreement.
Handelskommissar Maroš Šefčovič bemüht sich um eine Zusage aus Peking, den boomenden Export chinesischer Plug-in-Hybrid-Elektrofahrzeuge nach Europa einzudämmen.
European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič is seeking urgent structural solutions to address the unsustainable trade imbalance between the EU and China, which has reached a record daily deficit of one billion euros. Following meetings in Beijing with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Šefčovič stressed the need for concrete action to avoid potential EU trade sanctions and tariffs. Beijing has warned of a “firm” response should the EU implement new trade restrictions, raising the prospect of an escalating trade war ahead of a pivotal October summit of European leaders.
Maros Sefcovic classified the European Union's trade deficit with China as 'unsustainable', with Brussels threatening to adopt trade protection measures should Beijing fail to correct the imbalance.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated he expects 'concrete results' from the negotiations that began on Thursday in Beijing to correct the trade imbalance between China and the European Union (EU), at a time of rising bilateral tensions.
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is seeking concessions from Beijing to narrow a record trade deficit, but expectations of a breakthrough are low.
The European Commission is considering imposing temporary limits on imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles. Beijing demands that Brussels lift sanctions imposed on Chinese companies and eliminate restrictions on the export of advanced technologies.
The statements were released after the European Commission accepted a proposal from France and Germany for new protection instruments against unfair trade practices from third countries.
Industry associations Portugal Fresh, FNOP, and COTHN are calling for a level playing field for Portuguese producers to match the conditions enjoyed by their Spanish counterparts.
France and Germany asked the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today for new trade instruments for the European Union (EU) to respond more quickly to “serious and systematic distortions,” such as those attributed to China.
The officials point out that “the open, rules-based trading system is being heavily affected by the instrumentalisation of trade, by systemic practices that distort the market and by global macroeconomic imbalances.”
France and Germany suggest an instrument to reduce European dependencies and diversify supply chains, preventing new concentrations of imports.
China has warned that it will “respond firmly” to defend the “legitimate rights and interests” of its industries should the European Union (EU) adopt new restrictive measures against Chinese companies or products, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry was reacting to reports that several EU member states are preparing a joint document urging the European Commission to accelerate the creation of an instrument similar to Section 301 of the US Trade Act to impose tougher measures on Chinese trade. Beijing stated that such an instrument would be “typically protectionist and unilateral” and warned that it could disrupt trade stability and global supply chains. The Chinese Foreign Minister also emphasized that China and the EU should not engage in a trade war.
China has warned that it will “respond firmly” to defend the “legitimate rights and interests” of its industries should the European Union (EU) adopt new restrictive measures against Chinese companies or products, the Ministry of Commerce stated. The ministry was reacting to reports that several EU member states are preparing a joint document...
The future of European car manufacturers is worrying authorities due to sales of Chinese hybrid vehicles, which have soared in the European Union over the last four and a half years.
The European Commission expresses opposition to the United States' potential restrictions on diesel exports.
British investigation into a Portuguese quarry closes due to “lack of evidence”. A British producer alleged that limestone production in Portugal benefited from public subsidies.
The initiative comes at a time of growing concern in Europe regarding the impact of Chinese competition on the automotive industry.
