International trade

The European Union has adopted its 18th package of sanctions as a response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its lack of willingness to negotiate for a lasting peace. The EU expands its sanctions especially to target the energy and financial sectors and Russia’s shadow fleet and to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. The EU lowers the oil price cap. In addition, the EU tightens its sanctions against Belarus.

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its trade configuration in Brussels on 14 July 2025. The Council will exchange views on the EU’s trade relations with the United States and the ongoing trade agreement negotiations with various trading partners. The ministers will also hold a policy debate on EU–China trade relations.

The EU will block access for Chinese medical device economic operators to public contracts worth EUR 5 million or more. Medical devices originating in China may not represent over 50 per cent of the total value of the contract in tenders submitted by other suppliers.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs invites comments on a decree on certain documents related to export control of dual-use items. The request for comments has been published on the website lausuntopalvelu.fi. Please submit your comments by 15 August 2025.

This week, the Finnish sanctions authorities will send a letter to companies cautioning them that they may be used as platforms or targets for circumventing trade sanctions. The purpose of this letter is to draw attention to the sanctions in force and to provide assistance in complying with them.