EU Trade Agreements: Monitoring advancements through open data

In an increasingly interconnected world, open data can be seen as a powerful tool to shape and strengthen international trade agreements. The European Union (EU) has integrated open data into several aspects of its Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).   

On its trade page for non-EU markets, the EU uses a transparency mechanism displaying information on doing business in a non-EU country, like Costa Rica. When available, the site also shows statistics on import and export data from an EU perspective, promoting economic growth and ensuring European businesses can stay competitive. Several EU FTAs mark notable anniversaries in 2024, like the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force on 1 February 2019, celebrates its fifth anniversary. Similarly, the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, implemented in 2017, marks seven years of successful collaboration.

The data.europa portal serves as a handy resource in this context, providing datasets on trade agreements that support their monitoring and evaluation. By offering access to this type of information, the portal enables policymakers, researchers, and businesses to analyse trade flows, compliance with trade terms, and the overall impact of these agreements. This transparency fosters trust and accountability, ensuring that the benefits of trade agreements are widely shared and understood. 

As the EU continues to expand its network of trade agreements, the role of open data will only grow in significance. The anniversaries of FTAs provide an opportunity to reflect on the successes achieved and the potential for future growth.  

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