On Tuesday, December 9, José Manuel Rodríguez de Castro, Trade Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU, presented an overview of the current state and outlook of the EU’s main trade negotiations during a breakfast-debate held at the Chamber’s headquarters. The event was sponsored by EPPA.

The session was opened by Pablo López Álvarez, President of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, who thanked the sponsor for its support and highlighted the relevance of trade policy in today’s shifting geopolitical environment.

Inmaculada, representing EPPA, then took the floor. She reflected on the challenging global context in which the EU operates and emphasized the importance for Europe to strengthen its economic resilience, diversify partnerships, and maintain a strategic approach to its external relations.

Following this introduction, Rodríguez de Castro offered a broad outline of the key discussions taking place within the EU’s trade agenda. He referred to the ongoing negotiations with the United States, Latin American partners, and several countries in Southeast Asia, describing the different stages these processes are currently in and the political sensitivities that influence their progress. He highlighted that each negotiation presents its own complexities, whether related to timing, internal procedures, or the positions of partner countries, and underscored the need for the EU to approach these files with clarity and unity.

The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A, addressing questions on the expected timelines for several negotiations, how geopolitical developments may affect their advancement, and the importance of industry engagement in supporting the EU’s external economic strategy. Rodríguez de Castro reiterated the need for the EU’s trade policy to reinforce Europe’s global competitiveness and support the EU’s role in a rapidly changing global environment.

To close the session, Pablo López Álvarez thanked Rodríguez de Castro for his insights and highlighted the value of his contribution to understanding the EU’s trade priorities. With his remarks, the breakfast-debate was formally brought to a close.

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