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European Commission - Daily News Daily News 02 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 2 February 2026 EU–Singapore digital trade agreement enters into force Yesterday, the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) entered into force. It is the EU's first- ever standalone bilateral digital trade agreement, marking an important step in the EU's expanding network of digital trade agreements and digital trade chapters in its free trade ...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 02 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 2 February 2026 EU–Singapore digital trade agreement enters into force Yesterday, the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) entered into force. It is the EU's first- ever standalone bilateral digital trade agreement, marking an important step in the EU's expanding network of digital trade agreements and digital trade chapters in its free trade agreements. The DTA strengthens trade between the EU and Singapore by setting transparent rules that make cross-border digital transactions easier, more predictable and reliable for businesses and consumers. The agreement creates a safe online environment for consumers through high-standard commitments on online consumer protection, personal data and privacy, and protection against unsolicited commercial messages. It provides greater legal certainty for businesses by promoting paperless trade, ensuring the validity of electronic signatures, contracts and invoices, and prohibiting customs duties on electronic transmissions. Moreover, it promotes fair digital trade by prohibiting unjustified data localisation requirements and forced transfers of source code of software, protecting businesses from protectionist practices. The DTA positions the EU and Singapore as global leaders in digital policy development, while supporting open and fair digital economies. It advances the EU's approach to shaping digital and data rules centred on people and their rights, and ensures that both the EU and Singapore retain the policy space needed to develop and implement measures to address emerging challenges in the digital economy. The negotiations for the DTA were launched on 20 July 2023. The deal builds on the strong foundation of the 2019 EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement , which continues to deliver lasting benefits. In 2024, total EU-Singapore trade reached €131 billion, comprising €83 billion in services and €48 billion in goods. Most trade in services was delivered digitally, emphasising the growing importance of addressing this dimension of bilateral trade. Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič , said: “Digital trade is no longer a niche – it is central to global commerce and a powerful engine of economic growth. The EU is a global leader in this space, and the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement – the first of its kind for the EU and now in force – aligns our partnership with the realities of modern trade. By enabling seamless, secure and efficient digital trade, the DTA delivers tangible and lasting benefits for businesses and consumers alike.” More information is available online . (For more information: Olof Gill - Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners Šefčovič and Dombrovskis in London for meetings with their UK counterparts Today, Commissioners Maroš Šefčovič and Valdis Dombrovskis are in London for a number of joint and individual meetings with their respective UK counterparts. Commissioner Šefčovič travels to London on the occasion of the annual meetings of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and the Partnership Council under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which he will co-chair alongside his British counterpart, Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, Nick Thomas–Symonds. The Joint Committee and the Partnership Council meet for the first time since the successful EU-UK Summit of May 2025, where both sides reaffirmed the importance of our existing agreements and agreed to deepen their relationship in areas of mutual interest. Later, Commissioner Šefčovič and Minister Thomas-Symonds will take stock of the ongoing EU-UK negotiations and discuss the progress achieved so far. Commissioner Šefčovič will also meet with his UK trade counterpart, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle. Commissioner Dombrovskis will have meetings with Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, and Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey. They will discuss ways to boost both partners' financial support to Ukraine, other multilateral priorities, jobs creation, and the economic outlook in the EU and UK. Both Commissioners will participate in an informal exchange hosted by UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reever, where they will be joined by Peter Kyle and Nick Thomas-Symonds to discuss global challenges and multilateral priorities. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commissioner Serafin and Commissioner Hansen in Ireland to discuss the EU budget and agriculture As part of the ‘Tour d'Europe' to consult Member States on the next European long-term budget, Commissioner Serafin will travel to Ireland this week. Commissioner Hansen will join him in this visit, and both commissioners will meet public authorities to discuss the ongoing negotiations over the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU's agriculture policy, and how they can support Irish farmers and citizens. Tomorrow, the Commissioners will start their visit in Dublin, where they will meet Simon Harris, Minister of Finance, Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, and Thomas Byrne, Minister for EU Affairs. They will talk about the EU's long-term budget and the position of the Irish government on it, crucial for the ongoing negotiations. This meeting will be followed by an open debate with members of the Committee on European Union Affairs in the Irish Parliament. Shortly after, Commissioner Serafin and Commissioner Hansen will meet with farmers and businesses from diverse agricultural sectors, who will have the chance to exchange views with the commissioners on the next MFF and the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This visit will finish with a meeting with the Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, where they will exchange on the priorities related to the EU's budget and agriculture in the upcoming Irish EU Presidency. More information on Commissioner Serafin ' s Tour d'Europe is available in its dedicated website . (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25; Katerina Horakova – Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/301
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