EU trade agreements benefit Finnish companies

The EU has concluded a trade agreement with approximately 70 non-EU countries.  These agreements facilitate market access for Finnish companies' products and services to contracting party markets.   

The agreements benefit also consumers because, for example, a wider range of products and services become available and prices may fall.  Overall, trade agreements have a positive influence on Finland's economic growth, employment and competitiveness.  By way of example, approximately 500,000 workplaces in Finland are directly or indirectly dependent on exports promoted through trade agreements.

The EU, and Finland as part of it, has a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with for example Canada, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and Vietnam. The TCA with the UK is provisionally in force. The agreement will be brought into force after the procedural formalities have been concluded. The EU and Mexico have reached agreement on a new trade agreement. Currently, the EU is negotiating new trade agreements with several trading partners, such as Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand. Negotiations with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) have been completed.

At the end of 2020, the EU and China managed to reach an agreement on investments. The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) will improve market access and provide a more enabling business environment. The Agreement is expected to be ready for ratification in early 2022.

Topical information and new information

EU trade agreements and trade facilitation agreements(Link to another website.) with third countries are available in English on the website of the European Commission.

How can businesses take advantage of the EU’s trade agreements and save on customs duties? (pdf, 274 Kt)

More detailed descriptions on preferential tariffs on the website of the Finnish Customs(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).

 

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