The EU's growing network of trade agreements helps European businesses to access new export markets and creates a more predictable trade and investment environment, according to a report published today. The sixth Annual Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade and Economic Security Policy, covering the year 2025, concludes that EU trade agreements play a crucial role in increasing the resilience and competitiveness of EU operators.
Preferential trade works
- At the end of 2025, the EU had in place 44 preferential trade agreements with 76 countries, representing 46.3% of the EU's external trade. Trade in goods with these partner countries grew faster than the EU's total trade with other third countries: 3.1% growth compared to 1,4%. In 2025, EU agri-food exports to countries with a trade agreement increased by 4.6%, while those to non-preferential partners fell by 3.6%.
- The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) illustrates the immediate and positive impact that a new trade agreement can have. Total bilateral trade amounted to €20.8 billion in the first 11 months since its entry into force on 1 February 2025, 3% higher year-on-year. EU exports of machinery and appliances grew by 9%, chemical products by 8%, and optical and photographic instruments by 17%.
- Through a continued focus on the successful implementation of EU trade agreements, the Commission, in close cooperation with Member States and businesses, was able to get 20 barriers to trade fully or partially removed in 14 partner countries. This helps to improve market access for EU operators.
