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7/23Thu
  1. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)33

    U.S. Trade Representative Greer and Mexican Economy Minister Ebrard issue joint statement on the USMCA Joint Review

    U.S. Trade Representative Greer and Mexican Economy Minister Ebrard met with Mexican President Sheinbaum in Mexico City during the third round of bilateral talks on the USMCA Joint Review to discuss economic security, labor, agriculture, electronic payment services, steel, aluminum and derivative products, and automobiles. Both sides emphasized the urgency of expanding North American manufacturing, strengthening regional supply chains, and addressing free-riding by non-parties, and directed their teams to hold the fourth round of bilateral talks in Washington in September 2026.

  2. Spanish AEAT customs updates49

    Spain’s AEAT states that H1 customs declarations for goods sent to Gibraltar via La Línea must include the relevant sanitary and phytosanitary certificates.

    Spain’s AEAT Customs states that, under Article 1 of Annex 21 to the EU–UK Gibraltar Agreement, sanitary and phytosanitary controls are completed at the first point of entry, and H1 customs declarations for goods destined for Gibraltar must include the relevant certificates. In practice, goods that enter via another Member State, pass sanitary inspection, and are transported to La Línea under T1 still trigger sanitary measure 410 on the H1 declaration. Operators must declare on that H1 the CHEDD certificate previously used to issue the T1.

7/22Wed
  1. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)38

    U.S. Trade Representative Greer outlines the results of Trump’s trade plan at a Senate hearing

    U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing that the Trump administration had expanded market access for American farmers, manufacturers, and workers through tariffs and trade agreements. Greer signed a U.S.–Korea reciprocal trade agreement this week and said it had opened markets representing more than 2 billion consumers to U.S. food and agricultural exports in one year. In June 2026, the U.S. CPI fell 0.4%, core inflation declined to 2.6%, and manufacturing employment increased by 16,000.

7/21Tue
  1. Germany: EAR Electrical and Battery Compliance24

    Germany's ear Foundation expands its corporate communications team, appointing Dorothea Misch-Balanjuk to oversee communications

    Germany's stiftung elektro-altgeräte register (stiftung ear) expands its corporate communications, appointing Dorothea Misch-Balanjuk to develop communications channels and shape its strategic positioning with the media, political and business communities, and stakeholders.

  2. Spanish AEAT customs updates62

    Spain’s AEAT to activate new validation rules for transit declarations on July 22

    Spain’s AEAT announced that on July 22 it will activate the validation rules in the NCTS6 transit web service technical guide. When the declaration type is T1GI or T2GI, the declaration must contain at least one ADDITIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN ACTOR.Role = CS (consolidator) record.

    Why selected:Spanish Customs activates NCTS6 validation for transit declarations; net weight data in linked import and export declarations must match.

  3. Spanish AEAT customs updates44

    Spain publishes contingency plans for La Línea and Algeciras customs (Gibraltar Agreement framework)

    Spain publishes contingency plans for the two DCPs in La Línea and Algeciras. They apply when the relevant applications under the Gibraltar Agreement framework are unavailable or a computer failure occurs, and operators must follow them. The plans are Plan de Contingencia La Línea and Plan de Contingencia Algeciras, respectively.

7/20Mon
  1. Spanish AEAT customs updates44

    Spain’s AEAT publishes revised version 1.20 of the NCTS6 Transit Web Services Technical Guide

    Spain’s Tax Agency (AEAT) has published revised version 1.20 of the NCTS6 Transit Web Services Technical Guide, covering external-domain messages between economic operators and customs and alignment with the Union Customs Code. This revision changes some message rules, mainly to adapt transit declarations to the EU–UK agreement concerning Gibraltar, published on February 26, 2026, and effective July 15.

7/19Sun
  1. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)68

    U.S. farmers, loggers, and industry leaders support Trump’s tariff action against Brazil

    U.S. farmers, loggers, and industry leaders expressed support for the Trump administration’s move to impose 25% tariffs on certain Brazilian goods. The USTR said it took final action this week under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, following a year-long investigation that found Brazil’s practices restrict U.S. exporters’ access to its market. A Bloomberg headline cited in the article said the tariffs would take effect on July 22. Ethanol and lumber industry groups supported the action, while the Consumer Brands Association highlighted domestic sourcing constraints for inputs such as coffee, certain wood and plant products, as well as related adjustments to the annexes.

    Why selected:Statements from the various industries reflect the different concerns of tariff supporters: the ethanol and lumber industries emphasize fair market access, while the Consumer Brands Association focuses on sourcing constraints for inputs and product affordability.

7/17Fri
6/29Mon
  1. Germany: EAR Electrical and Battery Compliance58

    Germany’s ElektroG4 takes effect: Stores selling e-cigarettes must accept used devices free of charge

    The revised German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, ElektroG4, took effect on January 1, 2026. After the six-month transition period ends, starting July 1, 2026, all stores selling e-cigarettes or tobacco-heating devices must accept discarded devices free of charge, and customers are not required to purchase a new product.

6/15Mon
  1. German ZSVR Packaging Compliance45

    Germany’s ZSVR launches consultation on the directory of requirements for participation in packaging systems (VerpackDG Directory)

    On June 15, 2026, Germany’s ZSVR launched a consultation on the VerpackDG Directory. Interested parties may submit comments by July 10. The directory is an administrative regulation designed to help users quickly determine whether their packaging falls within the scope of system participation under the new Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG). After the comments are assessed jointly with the competent authorities, the directory will be finalized and published.

  2. German ZSVR Packaging Compliance69

    Germany’s ZSVR launches consultation on the 2026 minimum standard for packaging recyclability

    Germany’s Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) has launched a consultation on the 2026 minimum standard for packaging recyclability under Section 21 of the Packaging Act (VerpackG). The draft adopts recommendations from the value chain expert committee and adds provisions on content compared with the previous year’s version.

    Why selected:Germany’s ZSVR launches consultation on the 2026 minimum standard for packaging recyclability, covering Section 21 of VerpackG and arrangements for alignment with the PPWR. Sellers serving the German market can use this to check their packaging compliance timeline.

6/3Wed
  1. Belgium FOD Economie Official Update42

    Belgium introduces new labeling rules for honey, fruit juice, jam and dehydrated milk

    Belgium has transposed EU Directive 2024/1438 into national law. The new labeling rules for honey, fruit juice and dehydrated milk will apply from June 14, 2026, and products already in stock may continue to be sold until stocks are depleted. Honey blends must list all countries of origin in descending order by weight; if the first four countries together account for more than half, their percentages must also be indicated. Three new low-sugar categories are being added for fruit juice, and lactose-free versions of dehydrated milk are permitted. New rules for jam will be established separately; regular jam must contain at least 450 grams of fruit per kilogram.