Government Requests Implementation of EU Imports of Korean Beef
by Cho Seongpill
Published 10 Mar.2025 20:33(KST)
12th Korea-EU FTA Trade Committee Held in Brussels, Belgium
Discussions on French Electric Vehicle Subsidies and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Jung In-kyo, Head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, held the 12th Korea-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Trade Committee meeting on the 10th in Brussels, Belgium.
The meeting was co-chaired by Head Jung from the Korean side and Maro? ?ef?ovi?, European Commissioner for Trade from the EU side. The Korean delegation, including the Director-General of Trade Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the EU delegation, including Deputy Director-General Maria Martin-Prat of the EU Directorate-General for Trade, attended.
The Korea-EU FTA Trade Committee is an official consultative body established under Article 15.1 of the agreement. Prior to the plenary session of the Trade Committee, both sides exchanged views in an open preliminary meeting regarding changes in the global trade environment, such as the inauguration of the second Trump administration.
At this 12th Trade Committee meeting, discussions were held on 'Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures' (SPS - regionalization/beef), 'Automobiles and Parts' (French electric vehicle subsidies), 'Market Access Issues' (offshore wind power, battery market, electrical and electronic products, steel safeguards, fluorinated gases, carbon border adjustment mechanism), and 'Trade and Sustainable Development.'
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "In particular, we requested the prompt implementation of the EU import approval process for fresh Korean beef and a review of the restructuring of the French electric vehicle subsidy system," adding, "We also raised EU market access issues related to battery regulations, steel safeguards, fluorinated gas regulations, and the carbon border adjustment mechanism."
Furthermore, both sides agreed on the need for discussions on supply chain issues and agreed to establish a 'Special Committee on New Trade and Economic Issues' within the Korea-EU FTA. They also confirmed the conclusion of negotiations on the Korea-EU Digital Trade Agreement (DTA).
Head Jung In-kyo stated, "The Korea-EU FTA has become an important foundation for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. Moving forward, let us continue mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation based on strengthened FTA implementation."
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