EU trade policy

The common commercial policy falls exclusively within the competence of the European Union (EU). Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the objectives of the common commercial policy include removing restrictions on foreign direct investment and on non-tariff barriers to trade in addition to removing restrictions on trade and eliminating customs barriers.

This affects the following areas in particular: trade in goods and services; commercial aspects of intellectual property; foreign direct investment. The EU's common commercial policy is based on uniform principles and defined in Article 206 et seq. of the Lisbon Treaty. Under the Lisbon Treaty the European Parliament (EP) acquired joint decision rights in trade policy as well. This relates in particular to the EP's involvement in the adoption of Regulations to define the framework for the implementation of the common commercial policy.

Additional Information

European Commission - Website DG Trade

Contact

Multilateral and EU Trade Policy : international@bmaw.gv.at