EU carbon pricing has not harmed Swedish firms’ competitiveness

The EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has had no detectable negative impact on Swedish firms’ international trade. This is the finding of a new report from the National Board of Trade Sweden. The results suggest that carbon pricing and competitiveness can go hand in hand.

Carbon Leakage and Competitiveness

The EU’s carbon pricing system (EU ETS) aims to decarbonise industrial production, but does it affect firms’ competitiveness? This report finds no negative impact on Swedish firms’ international trade performance. The results suggest that climate goals and competitiveness can go hand in hand, although continued...

Consumer imports via online platforms pose challenges for product safety

Buying inexpensive products from online platforms has become widespread in the EU. However, the vast majority of these products do not meet EU requirements and may be directly harmful. This is a growing problem that requires clear coordination across different policy areas, according to a new analysis by the National...

Consumer-imports via online platforms

Buying low-value products from online platforms has become widespread in the EU. However, inspections show that these products can be harmful to both health and the environment. This analysis examines why this problem arises and what the consequences could be for businesses, consumers and public authorities.

Anni Jobe

Johanna Hedberg

LDC Graduation: Impact on EU–Asian and EU–Pacific trade

A large number of countries are preparing to leave the UN’s category of least developed countries (LDCs), process called “graduating”. In Asia and the Pacific, the change is particularly striking, with as many as 9 out of the current 11 LDCs graduating. That changes the conditions for trade. 

LDC Graduation: Challenges and opportunities for EU–African trade

An increasing number of African countries are preparing to leave the UN’s category of least developed countries (LDCs). This analysis focuses on how that changes the conditions for trade. New challenges may arise – both for countries that graduate and for those that remain in the LDC group.

Free trade agreements can broaden trade

Free trade agreements can widen the range of goods traded, but do not automatically lead to more suppliers. This is one of the findings of a new report from the National Board of Trade.

Do EU Free Trade Agreements Diversify Trade?

Free trade agreements can help diversify trade, but their impact differs across sectors and supply chains. A new report from the National Board of Trade Sweden examines when and how trade agreements can contribute to diversification. Author Patrik Karpaty explains.

Mind the gap: Sustaining trade and development after least developed countries graduation

This week, the World Trade Organization, WTO, hosts the 2026 Global Review of Aid for Trade. In Geneva, trade and development practitioners are gathering to take stock of efforts to ensure that trade contributes to sustainable development.

When gold-plating disrupts the Single Market

A well-functioning single market is key to EU competitiveness. However, many barriers remain. The National Board of Trade Sweden has analysed one phenomenon that makes trade and movement across European borders more difficult than necessary – gold-plating.

Beyond Gold-Plating

A well-functioning single market is key to EU competitiveness. However, many barriers remain. The National Board of Trade Sweden has analysed one phenomenon that makes trade and movement across European borders more difficult than necessary: gold-plating.

Raffaela Isepponi

EU Days Lund 2026: Time to wake up the Single Market’s sleeping giant

Twenty years have passed since the EU Services Directive was introduced, yet the EU Single Market for services remains an untapped resource. On 2 November, the National Board of Trade Sweden is hosting a discussion on why deeper services integration is crucial – particularly at a time when Europe is facing...

Cooperation in the food sector in Armenia

Armenia is a priority partner country in the National Board of Trade Sweden’s development cooperation and is of strategic importance within the EU’s Eastern Partnership.

EU needs to better anticipate economic security risks

The EU has a much better understanding of economic security than it did a few years ago, but new technologies, geopolitical developments and forms of economic coercion continue to create potential vulnerabilities. A new analysis examines how the EU assesses economic security risks, whether these assessments are...

De-risky business – EU risk assessments for economic security

The EU is stepping up efforts to protect its economic security. This analysis examines the EU’s approach to identifying risks and vulnerabilities — and how it could be improved.

Alicia Rydhem

Jakob Freund