EU Links Trade Benefits to Migration Cooperation

Photo: Рolitico

The European Union has agreed on a major reform that directly connects trade access to cooperation on migrant returns. Under the new rules, countries that refuse to take back their nationals ordered to leave the EU may lose reduced-tariff access under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

This policy shift follows three years of negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission, marking one of the most significant changes to EU trade policy in decades.

Traditionally, GSP benefits were tied to human rights, labour standards, and environmental commitments. Now, migration has become an explicit trade criterion.

How the Mechanism Works

The EU will be able to temporarily suspend trade advantages in cases of “serious and systematic shortcomings” in a country’s cooperation on readmission. A dialogue phase will precede any action, and the severity of measures will depend on the country’s level of development.

No specific states have been identified yet, but the EU has long struggled to secure cooperation on deportations from several major beneficiary countries across Africa and Asia.

Why Deportations Fail

As POLITICO reports, a key challenge is that many states decline to verify identities, issue travel documents, or accept flights carrying deported nationals. As a result, only a fraction of those ordered to leave are actually returned.

The issue has gained political intensity amid the rise of right-wing parties across Europe and growing pressure for stronger migration control.

Trade Disputes and Compromises

Negotiations nearly collapsed over rice imports from Asia, with Spain and Italy warning that cheaper imports could harm local farmers. The final deal includes a safeguard: a 45% surge in imports over a decade-long average would trigger a review and possible corrective measures.

Border Controls Going Digital

The trade reform comes as the EU deploys new technological systems to track and regulate migration.

The Entry/Exit System (EES), operational since October 2025, replaces passport stamps with biometric registration for non-EU travellers.

In late 2026, the EU will introduce ETIAS — an electronic travel authorization required for citizens of 59 visa-exempt countries. Together, these tools form a new digital border framework across the Schengen Area.

Geopolitical Impact and International Relations

By tying trade benefits to migrant returns, the EU is redefining its relationships with developing countries. Supporters argue that economic incentives are necessary to enforce migration rules; critics warn the approach risks damaging diplomatic relations and punishing vulnerable economies.

The coming years will show whether the EU intends to use these new powers aggressively or primarily as negotiating leverage.

The EU’s decision to make trade benefits conditional on migration cooperation demonstrates growing internal pressure and a shift toward external leverage. Yet globally, trends vary. Georgia stands out as a country experiencing sustained tourism growth and rising economic gains from the sector, positioning itself as one of the most resilient and attractive markets in the region.