Explainers

The EU is Ukraine's largest trading partner and its largest investor. Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, the EU has supported Ukraine's economy, including through targeted trade measures.

The EU and the US have the biggest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world. In 2024, transatlantic trade in goods and services reached over €1.68 trillion

At the March 2026 European Council, EU leaders agreed on an agenda of concrete measures with ambitious deadlines to strengthen the EU's competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. 

The EU is reforming its customs union to make procedures more efficient, strengthen security measures and improve risk management across member states.

The EU and Egypt have a strong and longstanding relationship with growing cooperation. The EU-Egypt strategic partnership focuses on six pillars, including trade.

The EU is the Republic of Korea's largest foreign direct investor, ahead of Japan and the USA.

The EU is committed to protecting its economic security and addressing threats to its supply chains, infrastructure, key technologies, as well as threats coming from the weaponisation of its economic dependencies.

EU rules on screening foreign investment enable member states to control foreign investments in the EU and address any risks to security or public order. This is done in cooperation with other member states and the Commission.

The Western Balkans is of strategic importance to the EU and the EU is the regions' largest investor, trading partner and donor.

The critical medicines act addresses shortages of key medicines to better meet patient needs and improve the EU’s resilience to health crises.