This Week in Manufacturing — Brussels (#26, 2026)
Anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese tyres; temporary ban renewed on Russian, Belarusian hydrogen; EU-Mexico trade agreement enters into force; Parliament strengthens CBAM rules.
July 05, 2026 to July 11, 2026
Anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese tyres; temporary ban renewed on Russian, Belarusian hydrogen; EU-Mexico trade agreement enters into force; Parliament strengthens CBAM rules.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EU) 2016/679, (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2018/1725, (EU) 2023/2854 and Directives 2002/58/EC, (EU) 2022/2555 and (EU) 2022/2557 as regards the simplification of the digital legislative framework, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1807, (EU) 2019/1150, (EU) 2022/868, and Directive (EU) 2019/1024 (Digital Omnibus); Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives 2008/98/EC, 2010/75/EU, (EU) 2015/2193 and (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards simplification of some requirements and reduction of administrative burden; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions of 24 June 2026.
European Commission
Commission approves Baker Hughes' acquisition of Chart Industries, subject to conditions
On 9 July 2026, the European Commission approved Baker Hughes Company's acquisition of Chart Industries, Inc. under the EU Merger Regulation, subject to commitments aimed at preserving competition in the global markets for LNG liquefaction equipment and technologies. The commitments require Baker Hughes and Chart to divest Chart's proprietary process technology (IPSMR) and its small-scale process technology business, and to ensure interoperability of their equipment with third-party LNG equipment for at least ten years. An independent trustee, under Commission supervision, will monitor the implementation of these obligations. The Commission will also assess the suitability of buyers proposed for the divested assets. The case was registered as M.12161 and the transaction was initially notified on 21 May 2026.
European Commission seeks feedback on Sanofi commitments over flu vaccine competition concerns
On 7 July 2026, the Commission called for input on commitments proposed by Sanofi in response to competition concerns related to potentially misleading communications about rival flu vaccines for elderly patients. The Commission's preliminary assessment, based on an investigation initiated on 26 June 2026, suggested that Sanofi may hold a dominant position in Germany and France for enhanced flu vaccines and may have conducted a campaign disparaging CSL Seqirus’ product, Fluad. Commitments offered by Sanofi include transparent public statements regarding national vaccine recommendations, changes to marketing practices, and restrictions on negative commentary about competitor products, effective until March 2030. The consultation on these commitments remains open until 21 August 2026 (Case AT.40998).
Commission presents EU Action Plan on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
On 6 July 2026, the Commission introduced an Action Plan to address cybersecurity risks and promote opportunities associated with advanced artificial intelligence models. The plan, developed under the forthcoming enforcement of the AI Act (to be effective from 2 August 2026), announces the establishment of an EU evaluation capacity for AI cybersecurity by 2027 and collaboration with ENISA on guidance and access to advanced AI models. The plan also provides for the creation of a secure test platform for AI in critical sectors and launching an EU Grand Challenge to scale up artificial intelligence capabilities, in line with the Cyber Resilience Act and broader digital regulations.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1540 imposes definitive anti-dumping duty on Chinese tyres
On 6 July 2026, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1540 imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of new pneumatic rubber tyres used for motor cars, buses, or lorries (with a load index not exceeding 121) originating in China. The investigation, launched on 21 May 2025 following a complaint by the Coalition Against Unfair Tyre Imports, found that Chinese producers benefited from significant distortions, resulting in dumping and material injury to the EU industry. Duties were determined using Turkey as the representative country to construct normal value, applying Article 2(6a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1703 amends export prohibition on mixed municipal waste to Switzerland
Adopted on 8 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1703 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 to permit the export of mixed municipal waste for recovery to Switzerland, reversing a ban that would have taken effect from 21 May 2026. The change allows for continued shipment of waste from EU border regions to Swiss treatment facilities, preventing increased costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with alternative disposal routes.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1551 renews exclusion of Russian and Belarusian hydrogen from EU hydrogen platform
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1551, adopted on 9 July 2026, extends until 30 July 2027 the exclusion of hydrogen supplies originating in Russia or Belarus from being offered via the EU Hydrogen Mechanism established under Regulation (EU) 2024/1789. The Decision reflects ongoing concerns regarding market manipulation and security of supply risks tied to energy dependence on Russia and Belarus.
Agreement with Canada on participation in Safe Instrument procurement to enter into force
The information notice published 10 July 2026 confirms that the Agreement between the EU and Canada, setting the conditions for participation of Canadian entities and products in procurement under the Safe Instrument, signed 14 February 2026, will enter into force on 1 August 2026, following completion of procedures on 29 June 2026.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1549 suspends trade measures on US products after WTO dispute
On 6 July 2026, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1549 suspends the application of additional customs duties on certain US imports, previously imposed under Regulation (EU) 2020/1646 in the context of WTO disputes on large civil aircraft. Suspension is extended as long as the United States maintains its suspension of retaliatory measures and no change occurs in underlying circumstances.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1557 updates arbitrator and expert lists for EU-Korea FTA
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1557 of 29 June 2026 establishes the Union's position in the Trade Committee under the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement on revised lists of arbitrators and trade and sustainable development experts, replacing several members as foreseen by Articles 14.18 and 13.15 of the FTA.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1453 corrects list of shipping companies under EU Emissions Trading System
Published on 10 July 2026, Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1453 amends the Annex to Decision (EU) 2024/411, correcting the list of shipping companies and administrative authorities under Directive 2003/87/EC. This correction aligns the registry with updated company attributions and International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers.
EU Council
Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers discusses industry and internal market
On 9 July 2026, competitiveness ministers met informally to address topics related to the internal market and industrial strategy in the framework of the Competitiveness Council.
EP Committee Work
INTRA Committee votes on EU-Mexico Interim Trade Agreement; rapporteur: Borja Giménez Larraz
On 6 July 2026, the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) held an extraordinary meeting to vote on the recommendation for the draft Council decision concluding the Interim Agreement on Trade between the EU and Mexico (rapporteur: Borja Giménez Larraz, PPE). The committee adopted the draft recommendation, advancing the interim agreement ahead of full ratification of the modernised global agreement.
ENVI Committee considers extension of CBAM, Temporary Decarbonisation Fund, and market stability reserve
On 6 July 2026, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) addressed several legislative files: voting on amendments to Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the market stability reserve for buildings and transport; adopting a draft report on extending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 (CBAM) to downstream goods and anti-circumvention; and reviewing the draft report on the proposed Temporary Decarbonisation Fund. Rapporteurs included Danuše Nerudová, Mohammed Chahim, and Pascal Canfin.
ITRE Committee opinion on cohesion, agriculture, and maritime fund for 2028-2034
On 10 July 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), with rapporteur Jana Nagyová, published its opinion on the proposed regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social, and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries, and maritime prosperity and security for 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.
ITRE Committee opinion on Temporary Decarbonisation Fund
On 6 July 2026, the ITRE Committee adopted its opinion (rapporteur: Massimiliano Salini) on the Commission proposal for a regulation establishing the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund, which aims to support EU producers affected by the carbon border adjustment mechanism during the transition phase.
What We're Reading This Week
- The key global economic risks to watch in the second half of 2026: Geopolitical tensions, inflation trends, and shifting monetary policies are set to shape global economic prospects in late 2026.
- On day 1 of summit in Ankara, NATO unveils defense contracts worth billions: NATO announces multibillion-dollar defense deals in Ankara, signaling deeper military collaboration among member states at the summit’s outset.
