The EU Council's Trade Policy Committee (Experts - Services and Investment) is scheduled to meet on 1 July 2026 in Brussels to discuss ongoing negotiations on cross-border trade in services and investment liberalisation, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published on 23 June 2026. The meeting will take place at 09:30 in the Justus Lipsius Building.
The agenda includes adoption of the meeting's agenda, a presentation of the Presidency's programme, and updates on two key bilateral trade negotiations: the ninth round of EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement talks, held in Brussels from 22 to 26 June 2026, and the EU-Canada Digital Trade Agreement negotiations, which took place in Brussels from 16 to 18 June 2026. The committee will also discuss implementation of the EU-Canada Mutual Recognition Agreement on architects and the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, as well as the WTO E-Commerce Agreement.
Delegations wishing to raise items under "Any other business" must submit written requests to polcom@consilium.europa.eu by noon on 30 June 2026. Delegates are required to register their presence via the Delegates Portal, where Council documents are available.
The meeting advances EU trade policy in services and investment, a sector where the EU seeks to expand market access and set digital trade rules. The EU-Thailand FTA negotiations aim to deepen economic ties with a key ASEAN partner, while the EU-Canada Digital Trade Agreement builds on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to address modern digital trade issues. The committee's discussions will inform the Council's positions ahead of further negotiating rounds.
Stakeholders impacted include EU services exporters and digital firms, which stand to gain from reduced barriers and harmonised rules, as well as Canadian and Thai service providers, who may face increased competition. EU member states will need to balance liberalisation with regulatory autonomy, particularly in digital trade. The WTO moratorium discussion affects global e-commerce, with implications for developing countries that rely on customs revenues.