Trade-Off

Directorate-General for Trade

A podcast series on EU trade policy – and why it matters.
Welcome to ‘Trade-Off’ - the podcast about the people, politics, and power inside Europe’s trade policy.
Brian Talty, together with his guests, will explore the stories of the people who shape and steer trade every day.

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July 21 · length unknown
When trade is weaponised - Guaranteeing economic security
Trade isn't just about tariffs — it's about trust. On this episode of Trade Off, we ask: can Europe stay open without becoming exposed? From critical minerals to 5G networks, our guests explain why "economic security" isn't protectionism in disguise — it's about knowing where you're vulnerable before someone else does.
July 13 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 07 – WTO
Today’s Trade-off the Podium discussion with Olof Gill on the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.The EU presents WTO reform proposals in Geneva: (1) rebalancing member rights/obligations, including flexibility for economic security concerns, (2) restoring a fair global level playing field via stronger rules and transparency, and (3) reforming WTO governance to speed up decision-making.
July 6 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 05 – GSP
Today’s midday press briefing off the podium discussion with Olof Gill on GSP. The EU's GSP gives 65 least-developed countries low/no tariffs on exports to the EU, supporting their jobs and growth. In return, EU consumers and importers get more diversified sourcing — a current EU trade priority.
July 6 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 04 – 10 June
Today’s midday press briefing off the podium discussion with Olof Gill on 3 items of the week. Three items: a new EU-Korea digital trade agreement (easier e-signatures/contracts, more SME opportunities, stronger data/consumer protections); an upgraded partnership with Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles (adding digital trade, investment, sustainability); and the 10th anniversary of the EU-SADC partnership, under which the EU became SADC's top economic partner.
July 6 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 03 – EU-Steel
Today’s midday press briefing off the podium discussion with Olof Gill on the steel measures. Following an April proposal to shield the EU steel sector from overcapacity and unfair competition (effective July 1), the Commission opened a four-week public consultation (starting June 4) on "melt and pour" origin-tracing rules for steel, with final requirements due in October. Goal: keep EU steel competitive and viable.
July 6 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 02 – EU-Mexico
Today’s midday press briefing off the podium discussion with Olof Gill on the EU-Mexico agreementEU and Mexico signed an updated version of their 2000 trade agreement in Mexico City. Update strengthens bilateral ties and reflects current trade realities. Main winners: EU exporters (especially agri-food, since Mexico is a net food importer) and EU-origin products, which gain protection from imitation.
July 6 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 06 – Irish Presidency
Today’s Trade-off the Podium discussion with Olof Gill on the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Ireland's EU presidency puts competitiveness first, with trade as a key pillar — maximising free trade agreements, diversifying supply chains, and advancing talks with partners from Asia to Africa, all in a spirit of EU unity.
June 29 · length unknown
What's the deal with steel?
Steel isn't just old-school smokestacks — it's wind turbines, EVs, and Europe's green future. But the industry is drowning in cheap imports, sky-high energy costs & global overcapacity. The EU just put out bold new trade measures to fight back. Is it enough?
May 28 · length unknown
SWEXIT: Sabine Weyand's Final Trade-Off
Seven years. Brexit. Mercosur. A pandemic. A world where the rulebook keeps catching fire. As Director-General of DG Trade, Sabine Weyand was at the centre of it all — fierce, formidable, and reportedly terrifying when necessary. In this special episode, she reflects on what it took to keep EU trade policy from unravelling, what "the law of the jungle" really means for Europe, and what comes next. Spoiler: it involves Florence and considerably less chaos.
May 20 · length unknown
EU-India: The mother of all deals
“Not just the mother of all deals — the Everest of free trade agreements.” In this episode of Trade Off, we unpack the landmark EU–India FTA set to connect 2 billion people and reshape global trade. From geopolitics and sustainability to wine, yoga mats and AI, negotiators and experts reveal the ambitions, tensions and human stories behind one of the world’s biggest economic partnerships.
April 29 · length unknown
Trade-Off the podium 01 – EU-Mercosur
Today’s midday press briefing off the podium discussion with Olof Gill on the EU-Mercosur agreement
January 25 · length unknown
Friends with benefits: a Trade Policy Day Story
Trade rules under pressure, supply chain shake-ups and a WTO in need of CPR – These were some of the highlights from Trade Policy Day 2025. The mission? Move faster and diversify the EU’s trade partnerships, without ditching European values. With the return of geopolitics every new deal counts and standing still isn’t an option
Nov 23, 2025 · length unknown
ASEAN Trade Diaries
What links cassava chips, batik shirts, and tariff-free sneakers? They all tell the story of Europe’s trade ties with Southeast Asia. This episode explores the EU’s landmark deal with Indonesia, ongoing talks with Thailand, and the wider ASEAN region’s role in global trade. From cultural quirks to geopolitical shifts, discover how these agreements shape competitiveness, sustainability, and the products we use every day.
Sep 3, 2025 · length unknown
The EU-Mercosur Deal Unwrapped
What do Belgian chocolate, Brazilian cachaça and a 25-year negotiation have in common? Tune in to our next episode of Trade Off and embark with the negotiators of the Mercosur deal on a trade rollercoaster that will take you from green hydrogen dreams to cheese label drama.
Jun 23, 2025 · length unknown
EU-Canada: Trade and much more
This podcast is about the people, politics, and power inside Europe’s trade policy. Tom Moylan together with his guests will explore the stories of the people who shape, and steer trade every day. To get to the bottom of why trade matters, how it works, and why people are passionate about it.
Apr 27, 2025 · length unknown
Tariffs: What’s up?
Tariffs come in many different forms and shapes. Some like them, others much less. They increase, decrease or vary depending on the season. What’s the impact? What’s the thinking behind? And why are lower tariffs generally good for trade?
Feb 24, 2025 · length unknown
De-coding digital trade
This podcast is about the people, politics, and power inside Europe’s trade policy. Tom Moylan together with his guests will explore the stories of the people who shape, and steer trade every day. To get to the bottom of why trade matters, how it works, and why people are passionate about it.
Dec 17, 2024 · length unknown
Meet our new Commissioner
Maté and Mercosur, tariffs and trust, big players or biggest partners – and who is behind the golden bars? Less than a month into the new mandate, Tom Moylan meets the new Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič.
Nov 13, 2024 · length unknown
Trade and climate - Trading our way through the green transition
Do you care about where our goods come from? Who grows tomatoes under the grey sky of Brussels? Why does trade matter for the green transition? Those and many more questions are discussed in this podcast episode.
Oct 7, 2024 · length unknown
How much is too much?
Low-priced electric cars, cosmetics, clothes or even kimchi from China galore? What does it mean for us as consumers and as citizens? What’s the impact on our businesses, our economy? When too much is too much, then overcapacity might be at play.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes