Europe

International trade is a crucial aspect of Europe’s economy.  Europe is the world's largest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and it is the biggest export market for around 80 countries and territories, with a trade volume of over 8 trillion USD in goods and services in 2021. This accounts for more than 35.7% of global trade. Europe is home to many strong economies which are major exporters of goods such as machinery, electronics, and chemicals, and attract significant foreign investment. Europe is also home to the European Union (EU), which brings together 27 European economies. Together, EU member states account for 16% of world imports and exports. In 2021, EU exports reached $6.6 trillion USD for goods and $2.4 trillion USD for services, while imports stood at $6.5 trillion USD for goods and $2.2 trillion USD for services. In volume, EU's trade in goods and services represents more than 11% and 20% of world trade respectively. Additionally, the European Union has established 45 different Regional Trade Agreements, including with Central America, Pacific States, and Eastern and Southern African States. Overall, Europe’s commitment to international trade has led to increased economic growth, job creation, and improved standards of living for its citizens.    

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    Voluntary Sustainability Standards Caribbean Community

    The report investigates the potentiality of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) to enhance the Caribbean Community’s aquaculture and agriculture exports to the EU.

    Source: UNCTAD, 2021

    Policymakers: Goods, Regulation & Standards, Sustainability, Europe, South & Central America and the Caribbean,
    The report investigates the potentiality of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) to enhance the Caribbean Community’s aquaculture and agriculture exports to the EU.
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    Trade Defense Instruments Guide for SMEs

    This guide provides SMEs with the necessary basic knowledge of TDIs and sets out the practical steps they may want to take.

    Source: European Commission, 2018

    Businesses: Policymakers: Goods, Contractual Disputes, Trade Remedies, Europe,
    This guide provides SMEs with the necessary basic knowledge of TDIs and sets out the practical steps they may want to take.
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    Trade Defense Instruments Guide for EU Exporters

    This guide will help to better understand the main concepts of trade defense and will give advice on how to deal with trade defense investigations.

    Source: European Commission

    Businesses: Policymakers: Goods, Contractual Disputes, Europe,
    This guide will help to better understand the main concepts of trade defense and will give advice on how to deal with trade defense investigations.
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    EU Helpdesk for SMEs

    The SME Trade Defence Helpdesk supports small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU to both protect and enforce their rights against unfair trade practices.

    Source: European Commission

    Policymakers: Goods, Capacity Building, Tariffs & Taxes, Trade Remedies, Europe,
    The SME Trade Defence Helpdesk supports small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU to both protect and enforce their rights against unfair trade practices.
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    European Commission Best Procedure Project

    This is a report from the expert group who consults with stakeholders in the shaping of national and regional policies affecting small businesses.

    Source: Enterprise Directorate-General of the European Commission, 2020

    Policymakers: Goods, Capacity Building, Europe,
    This is a report from the expert group who consults with stakeholders in the shaping of national and regional policies affecting small businesses.
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    SME Policy Index

    The Index identifies strengths and weaknesses in policy design and implementation, allows for comparison across countries and measures convergence towards good practices and relevant policy standards.

    Source: OECD

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Access to Finance, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Capacity Building, Contractual Disputes, Digital Trade & E-Commerce, Export Potential, Intellectual Property, Investment Facilitation, Logistics, Regional Trade Agreements, Regulation & Standards, Sustainability, Tariffs & Taxes, Trade Remedies, Europe,
    The Index identifies strengths and weaknesses in policy design and implementation, allows for comparison across countries and measures convergence towards good practices and relevant policy standards.
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    A Small Business Plan for WTO

    This document is FSB’s Small Business Plan for the World Trade Organisation on the best way to deliver for micro, small and medium enterprises across the globe.

    Source: UK Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 2019

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Capacity Building, Europe,
    This document is FSB’s Small Business Plan for the World Trade Organisation on the best way to deliver for micro, small and medium enterprises across the globe.
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    The SME Test in EU

    The webpage introduces analytical steps of the SME Test to improve the overall approach to entrepreneurship, permanently anchor the ‘Think Small First’ principle in policy making.

    Source: Small and Medium Policy Institute Association (Bulgaria)

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Access to Finance, Europe,
    The webpage introduces analytical steps of the SME Test to improve the overall approach to entrepreneurship, permanently anchor the ‘Think Small First’ principle in policy making.
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    Think Small First

    This report introduces the ‘Small Business Act’ and the “Think Small First” principle for Europe.

    Source: European Commission, 2009

    Policymakers: Goods, Services, Capacity Building, Europe,
    This report introduces the ‘Small Business Act’ and the “Think Small First” principle for Europe.
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    UK’s FTA and Trade Policies for SMEs

    This study analyses how existing FTAs address SMEs’ interests to identify best in class provisions that work for UK SMEs and areas where even good practice could usefully be enhanced to support SMES.

    Source: UK Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO)

    Policymakers: Goods, Regional Trade Agreements, Europe,
    This study analyses how existing FTAs address SMEs’ interests to identify best in class provisions that work for UK SMEs and areas where even good practice could usefully be enhanced to support SMES.
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    Switzerland’s Free Trade Agreements

    This paper discusses opportunities in Asia, Middle East and America for Swiss exporters.

    Source: University of Zurich, 2015

    Businesses: Goods, Regional Trade Agreements, Asia & Middle East, Europe, South & Central America and the Caribbean,
    This paper discusses opportunities in Asia, Middle East and America for Swiss exporters.
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    EU Trade Agreements for SMEs

    This briefing discusses how EU free trade agreements (FTAs) can help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    Source: European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, 2021

    Policymakers: Goods, Regional Trade Agreements, Europe,
    This briefing discusses how EU free trade agreements (FTAs) can help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).