Trade

Trade is everybody's business. Trade policy affects us all, every day, whatever we do and wherever we live. Without trade, our lives would be severely restricted. Think of our morning tea or coffee, the cars we drive, the computers we increasingly depend on or holidays on another continent.

Globalisation is bringing more and more countries, rich and poor, into the world economy and subjecting them to increased competition. This process is changing how we trade and how we go about our everyday activities.

The development of trade - if properly managed - is also an opportunity for economic growth. The key is for the EU economy to be competitive and establish a set of internationally agreed rules.

In international trade negotiations, the EU's 27 members are represented by the European Commission.

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EU institutions and bodies

• European Commission
  • Trade
• European Parliament
  • Committee on International Trade
• Council of the European Union
  • External Relations
• European Economic and Social Committee
  • Single market, production and consumption section
• Committee of the Regions
  • Commission for economic and social policy (ECOS)

Funding opportunities

• Calls for tender (public procurement)

Publications, newsletters and statistics

• Publications
• Newsletters
• Statistics

Legislation

• Summaries of EU legislation on trade
• Legislation in force on trade
• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union - Articles 206 - 207