EU Insight 27 March 2026

Brussels, 27 March 2026

PROVISIONAL DEAL ON EU CUSTOMS REFORM AND NEW EU AUTHORITY IN LILLE

The Council and European Parliament have reached a political agreement on the overhaul of the EU Customs Code. The reform will create a single EU customs data hub as a central entry point for declarations, introduce a new EU‑wide handling fee for low‑value parcels, and tighten obligations for e‑commerce platforms, which will be treated as importers and required to share data and ensure compliance with EU rules. Trusted traders will benefit from simpler procedures and fewer checks. The deal also confirms Lille as the future seat of the EU Customs Authority, which will oversee the data hub and support EU‑level risk management. Technical work on the legal text will continue before formal adoption and publication.

EP BACKS POSITION ON EU US TURNBERRY TARIFF DEAL

Parliament has endorsed its trade committee’s position on the EU’s tariff commitments under the so called Turnberry deal with the United States, clearing the way for talks with Member States. The text would temporarily suspend tariffs on a wide range of US industrial products and lower or remove duties on selected US agricultural and fisheries goods. MEPs have, however, attached strict conditions, namely US tariffs on steel and aluminium derivatives would need to be reduced, overall US duties on EU goods must remain below 15%, and the EU preferences would automatically expire in March 2028. The file now moves to trilogue negotiations between Parliament, Council and Commission.

EU AND AUSTRALIA CONCLUDE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, AND LAUNCH SECURITY PACT

The EU and Australia have concluded negotiations on a long delayed Free Trade Agreement, alongside a new Security and Defence Partnership and talks on associating Australia to Horizon Europe. The FTA will remove almost all tariffs on EU exports, with steel excluded, and cut duties on key agricultural and industrial goods on both sides. Tariffs on green technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels and batteries will be scrapped from day one, while sensitive farm products are covered by tariff rate quotas tied to sustainability conditions. The deal also opens public procurement markets, eases investment conditions and seeks to secure access to Australian critical raw materials. The agreement now needs to be finalised and approved in both the EU and Australia.

€34.6 BILLION IN COHESION FUNDS SHIFTED TO STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Member States are shifting €34.6 billion within their 2021–2027 cohesion programmes to reflect the EU’s updated strategic agenda. Rather than adding new money, this move changes how existing funds are used, with more support now going to innovation and critical technologies, defence related and civil preparedness projects, affordable and energy efficient housing, water resilience, and energy security and decarbonisation. To make the switch easier, the EU is increasing its share of project costs and advancing more funds upfront, which should help launch projects faster and ease pressure on national budgets. The changes cover almost 10% of the cohesion policy budget and are now moving into the implementation phase, with the Commission working with national and regional authorities to deliver the new priorities.

MEPs HEAD TO CHINA TO TACKLE DIGITAL TRADE AND E-COMMERCE RISKS

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee will travel to Beijing and Shanghai from 31 March to 2 April, marking the first visit to China in eight years. The mission will focus on the digital economy and the rapid expansion of Chinese e-commerce platforms into the EU market. Against a backdrop of rising small parcel imports and repeated product safety alerts, MEPs want to assess how EU digital and consumer rules are applied in practice and to press for stricter compliance. Talks will cover fair competition, enforcement of product and online safety standards, and the principle that all traders selling to EU consumers must respect EU standards.

LET’S MAKE EVERY KILOMETER COUNT! SUPPORT OUR 20KM RUN

This year, Kreab will be taking part in the 20 km of Brussels with an amazing team of 14 runners! Our team has decided to run in support of Pelicano, an organization that helps children growing up in poverty.

For many children, having a filled lunchbox, wearing appropriate clothing, or joining activities with friends is not a given. In Belgium, more than 300,000 children grow up in poverty. Pelicano is working to change this by providing direct financial support, helping break the cycle of poverty — one child at a time.

With every step we take during the 20 km of Brussels, we want to contribute to giving these children the opportunities they deserve.

If you believe that every child deserves equal opportunities, we would be incredibly grateful for your support. Every contribution truly makes a difference.

Donate here

The EU Insight will be back after the Easter break on 10 April.