European Union: European Commission submitted proposal for a Council Decision on conclusion of EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (DTA)

On 31 January 2025, the European Commission issued a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Digital Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore. The agreement complements the existing EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by introducing binding commitments on digital trade, aiming to improve legal certainty for businesses, strengthen online consumer protection, and remove unjustified barriers to digital trade. It aligns with EU trade and digital policies, including the Indo-Pacific strategy and the 2023 EU economic security strategy, and builds on the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership. The agreement affirms each party’s right to regulate and ensures full respect for EU rules on data protection and privacy. The European Parliament’s consent is necessary before the Council can adopt the decision on the conclusion of the agreement. Following the Parliament’s consent and Council adoption, the Commission will notify Singapore to confirm the EU’s consent to be bound by the agreement.