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Why trade with or in invest in Europe and the European Union?

Europe and the European Union is made up of wealthy, dynamic and sometimes vastly different countries. The European Union has removed barriers to trade between its highly developed member states, and by extension (with exceptions) to the European Economic Area and Switzerland. All European countries support most international treaties, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and operate double tax treaties. 

It's useful to know that in principle, European Union law takes supremacy over local member state laws. However differences between individual jurisdictions remain, because there are allowances for different EU countries to harmonise their domestic laws with relevant EU laws to a minimum level or to a maximum level. There are many regulatory compliance considerations for businesses looking to operate in or distribute to one or more European markets. Businesses that fail to ensure their contracts comply with relevant EU and domestic regulations - for example ensuring that a distribution agreement complies with relevant competition laws - may find that their agreement is unenforceable. 

In most EU countries small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from specific regulations and entrepreneurship incentives.  The European Commission currently defines an SME as one which employs fewer than 250 staff and has an annual turnover not exceedng 50 million euro, or an annual balance sheet not exceeding 43 million euro.  

A-LAW INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM has robust knowledge of European Union and international law. Our lawyers help clients to navigate through legal complexity at both the European and individual level.