Partner meetings: Civil Society Dialogue meeting on Digital Trade

Civil society organisations registered in the DG Trade civil society database are invited to join a discussion on the latest developments in the EU’s digital trade policy at multilateral, plurilateral and bilateral level.

Meeting Details

Date: 14/05/2025, 10:30-12:30

Location: WEBEX

Purpose of Digital Trade

Digital trade refers to all trade in goods and services that is enabled by digital means. It is all around us and it touches upon nearly all activities that citizens and businesses engage in. Digital trade is vital to the EU’s economic growth and competitiveness.

It provides EU businesses with access to a broad customer base in the global market, and allows EU businesses and consumers to access foreign innovation and technology, as well as cutting-edge goods and services at competitive prices.

The EU is engaging with trading partners at various levels seeking to build a network of digital trade and data rules that are shaped by, and that project, our regulatory choices and our values-based approach.

Such rules ensure a secure and safe online environment for consumers, bring transparency, predictability and legal certainty for companies, and prevent or remove unjustified barriers to digital trade.

Discussion Topics

The head of the unit dealing with services and digital trade will discuss the recent developments in the EU’s digital trade policy at multilateral, plurilateral and bilateral level, including:

• Developments in the WTO’s Joint Initiative on E-commerce
• The latest bilateral FTA negotiations
• The new digital trade agreements recently concluded with Singapore and the Republic of Korea

Participants will have the opportunity to share views and ask questions.

Speakers

Lead Speaker: Head of Unit for Services and Digital Trade, Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission

Moderator: Civil Society Coordination - Transparency, Civil society and Communication Unit, Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission

Agenda

• Presentation on digital trade.
• Open discussion with stakeholders.

Practical Information

When: Wednesday 14 May 2025, 10:30 - 12:30 (CEST)

Where: Online only

Languages: English

Organisers: Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security