On Thursday 27 September, the European Parliament's international trade committee (INTA) discussed the draft own-initiative report on the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), written jointly by Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) and Paul Rübig (EPP, Austria).
This was the opportunity for MEPs to comment on the recent concept paper from European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, which has already been sent by the EU to its trade partners (see EUROPE 12098).
"In our report, we follow the Commission's reform proposals", Lange said.
But the two co-rapporteurs ask the Commission to work on a more ambitious WTO reform, returning to the issue of its legitimacy and the sustainability of trade.
Underlining the importance of the changes that have occurred at trade policy level, Lange spoke of the sustainable development goals, the Paris Agreement on the climate, environmental and labour rights. "All that, too, must be recognised in the framework of the WTO", he said.
Lange underlined the need for a reform dynamic in the three pillars of the WTO. In the rulebook first of all, with subjects such as electronic-commerce and the role of women. Then in the appellate body, the work of which must be more transparent, subject to a more binding timetable, and to clearer rules.
Thirdly, in the working method. The draft report asks the European Commission about the concept of 'flexible multilateralism' when it cannot use consensus, thanks to the negotiation and conclusion of plurilateral agreements – while facilitating the progressive integration of trade partners that want to join these agreements. The plurilateral negotiations indeed enable groups of countries to move forward in areas dear to the EU, like digital trade.
As for the internal organisation, the text by Lange and Rübig calls for the WTO secretariat to be able to gain in initiative and financial means. This is a point on which "the EU should show the example", Christophe Hansen (EPP, Luxembourg) stated.
The draft report calls for the parliamentary component of the WTO to be strengthened, so as to give the body more legitimacy.
Klaus Buchner (Greens/EFA, Germany) called on the Parliament to go further than the Council on these points. Work on the modalities enabling distinction of the group of developing countries is "an extremely crucial point", he added.
This reform must enable a review of the world trade priorities and the multilateral system, Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL, Germany) said, integrating the sustainable development goals in a more binding way. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)