On May 8, 2025, the EU Commission announced its next steps in the tariff dispute with the US, including a comprehensive list of US products that would be affected by potential retaliatory tariffs. We summarize the most important developments for you.

On April 9, 2025, the CDU, CSU, and SPD presented their coalition agreement for the upcoming legislative period. The SPD membership had already approved it on April 30. The new government plans fundamental reforms in all areas of foreign trade law and sustainability regulations. We provide an overview of the key proposed changes.

On April 15, the European Commission published updated FAQs and guidelines on the Deforestation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, “EUDR”), as well as details of the public consultation regarding the new Annex I. We summarize the key clarifications and provide a brief outlook.

The amendment to Regulation (EU) 2024/573, which entered into force on 11 March 2024, aims to accelerate the EU's phase-out of emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases. The rules governing the import and export of fluorinated greenhouse gases have therefore been tightened. Companies that import or export fluorinated greenhouse gases to or from the EU must now register in the newly established F-Gas Portal to obtain a valid license. The beginning of 2025 brought dynamic developments: New rules on labeling requirements and the allocation of quotas, which are subject to fees, have been applicable since 1 January 2025. Furthermore, supplementary implementing regulations and EU Commission guidelines for registration in the F-Gas Portal were published in March 2025, providing valuable assistance.

Cattwyk consists of a well-established team that has grown over many years and is firmly rooted in the market. Since the beginning of 2025, we have been operating as a boutique law firm specializing in trade compliance, economic security, and sustainability. From the outset, our aim has been to offer our clients the highest level of service and to remain among the market leaders. We are therefore all the more delighted to have achieved first place as a 5-star practice in the JUVE Ranking of Foreign Trade Law 2025.

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control has extended all General Authorizations (GAs) that would have expired on March 31, 2025, until March 31, 2026. Some of the extended GAs were amended effective April 1, 2025. We present the changes below.

The US government under Donald Trump has begun implementing its protectionist economic policies and has introduced tariffs on goods from the EU as well as from other countries such as Canada and Mexico. During his election campaign, Trump had already promised that a second term would focus on protecting the American economy and addressing a US trade deficit, among other things, through tariffs.

On the third anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the EU adopted its 16th sanctions package against Russia on February 24, 2025. We present the key additions.

On February 26, 2025, the European Commission presented two omnibus packages containing significant changes to the CSDDD, CSRD, and EU Taxonomy Regulation. Key points include relief for businesses, a harmonized scope for companies with more than 1,000 employees, and new due diligence obligations under the CSDDD.