The agreement is a highly ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement, which will create new opportunities for EU agricultural exports, removing the existing Japanese tariffs on many agricultural products. It is estimated that around 85% of EU agri-food products will be allowed to enter Japan entirely duty-free.
Once approved by the Council, the agreement will be sent to the European Parliament, aiming for the entry into force before the end of the current mandate of the European Commission in 2019.
Since March 2013, trade negotiations between Japan and the EU had been conducted. At the EU-Japan Summit of July 6, 2017, both parties reached agreement on the main elements of a free trade deal, known as economic partnership agreement (EPA).
Both parties also signed a strategic partnership agreement (SPA), which is the first-ever framework agreement between the EU and Japan. Its main purpose is to constitute the basis for a deep and long-lasting cooperation between EU and Japan as strategic partners.
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Once approved by the Council, the agreement will be sent to the European Parliament, aiming for the entry into force before the end of the current mandate of the European Commission in 2019.
Since March 2013, trade negotiations between Japan and the EU had been conducted. At the EU-Japan Summit of July 6, 2017, both parties reached agreement on the main elements of a free trade deal, known as economic partnership agreement (EPA).
Both parties also signed a strategic partnership agreement (SPA), which is the first-ever framework agreement between the EU and Japan. Its main purpose is to constitute the basis for a deep and long-lasting cooperation between EU and Japan as strategic partners.
More information