France Seeks EU Review of Algeria Trade Dispute

France has asked the European Commission to examine Algeria’s alleged failure to comply with the EU-Algeria Association Agreement, raising a bilateral trade dispute to the level of the European Union.

Paris accuses Algeria of imposing what it describes as an almost total blockade on French imports. France has also alleged that Algeria suspended urea shipments to France.

The allegations have not been independently confirmed in the available information. It is also not clear whether the European Commission has agreed to investigate or whether any measures will follow.

Request for possible EU action

France has asked the Commission to immediately assess whether measures permitted under the agreement could be imposed. A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry said the agreement allows action when one of the parties fails to honour its commitments.

The specific measures sought by France have not been identified.

The EU-Algeria Association Agreement took effect in 2005. It liberalised trade and dismantled tariffs between Algeria and EU member states, establishing the framework that France is now asking the Commission to examine.

Strained bilateral relations

The trade dispute comes amid a longer period of difficult relations between France and Algeria, shaped in part by their colonial history.

Tensions increased in recent years after French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for Morocco in its dispute with Algeria over Western Sahara.

Algeria also passed a law last year describing French colonisation as a “state crime.” France labelled the move “manifestly hostile.”

France’s latest request places the allegations within the EU’s institutional framework, but the available information does not indicate how the European Commission will respond.