EU Threatens Trade Sanctions Over Migrant Returns

The European Union has agreed to a new measure that could punish developing nations with higher tariffs if they refuse to accept the return of their citizens expelled from the bloc. The rule is part of a major migration policy agreement reached on Monday between the EU Council and the European Parliament. Its goal is to pressure countries to cooperate on repatriations, a long-standing challenge for European governments. Under the plan, nations deemed "non-cooperative" on taking back their nationals could lose preferential trade access. This would mean increased duties on their exports to the EU market. However, analysts note the sanction mechanism is highly complex. Many experts believe the procedural hurdles make it unlikely the trade penalties will ever be applied in practice. The agreement reflects the EU's continued struggle to secure deportation deals, often relying instead on offering incentives like visas or trade benefits to cooperating countries.