There were no radical paradigm shifts in the answers of Phil Hogan, Commissioner-designate for Trade, to questions from MEPs. But it confirms the movement, initiated by the Juncker Commission, that is gradually shifting the core activity of the Directorate-General for Trade from the negotiation of new free trade agreements (FTAs) to their effective implementation, in order to “ensure that economic prosperity can continue to be generated to the benefit of all our citizens”.
“Full” compliance with these agreements could be understood as a reference to the provisions of their chapters on sustainable development, in line with another commitment by Mr Hogan: to ‘green’ the EU's trade policy.
The implementation of FTAs will be assisted by the new position of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer, whom, we are told, will also be Deputy Director-General for Trade.
As for ‘greening’ trade policy, apart from his collaboration in developing a carbon tax at the borders, Mr Hogan remains relatively vague about the concrete means he plans to use.
Recognizing the challenges facing trade policy and the intensification of synergies with “geopolitical and security” issues, Mr Hogan pledged to “preserve a stable and predictable international trading environment based on clear and enforceable rules”. Thus, the right-wing commissioner wants to pursue a “new deal” for the World Trade Organization (WTO), with new rules and a level playing field, notably by launching a “broad initiative” at the end of 2020 for a comprehensive agreement in 2022, he said in his reply.
The ‘level playing field’ is also at issue when Mr Hogan expresses his determination to protect the EU from “unfair competition” through trade defence instruments, but also on public procurement and by working, along with Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, on ways to remedy the effects of distortions abroad, on the EU's single market.
Among the “new tools” that the Irishman promises to introduce to improve conditions for European operators, the improvement of the EU implementing regulation should enable it to suspend tariff concessions in the face of illegal measures.
Finally, the Irishman committed to maintaining a sustained dialogue with Members, in particular before and after each round of negotiations, and to treat the European Parliament on an equal footing with the EU Council.
To consult the document: https://bit.ly/2ndKvtB (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)