The European Commission issued a statement on February 12, 2020, saying that due to Cambodia’s “serious and systematic” violation of human rights and labor rights regulations set by the United Nations and the International Labor Organization, In principle, the EU has decided to revoke the preferential treatment (EBA) for some Cambodian products exported to the EU.
Affected products include: sugar cane, some ready-made clothing, footwear, and suitcases, etc., accounting for approximately 20% of Cambodia’s total exports to Europe. If the European Parliament or the European Council does not veto it in the future, this decision will take effect from August 12, 2020, and the affected products will be subject to the EU’s most-favored nation (MFN) tax rate.
Human Rights Watch International stated that the EU’s unilateral grant of trade preferences is based on the requirement to comply with international human rights standards. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has repeatedly publicly provoked and refused to take steps to resolve The EU’s concerns, including the launch of false treason trials against opposition leaders in the final stages of EU deliberations, left the EU no choice but to take this action.
For the convenience of reference, in accordance with the authorization regulations of the European Commission (2020.02.12C “2020” 673final), a list of tariffs and taxes for the EU to cancel some Cambodian EBA projects (including the Most-favored-nation treatment tax rate), the textile part is as follows:
