In a speech at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin on 6 January, EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan outlined his vision for trade policy 100 days after the von der Leyen Commission took office. Optimistic about his chances of getting a mini-deal from Washington, he also defended his geopolitical vision of trade.
85% of world growth will take place outside Europe over the next 10 years, Mr Hogan stressed at the outset. It is therefore high time for the EU to bring the full weight of its trading power to bear. To assert this "more geopolitical Europe", Europe must use its vast network of trade agreements "as leverage to improve standards worldwide".
"When we sign trade agreements, we expect our partners to meet our standards", the Commissioner said, and "for our future comprehensive trade agreements, we will go even further, tying in the Paris Climate Agreement as an essential element", the Commissioner noted (see EUROPE 12398/5).
But if the EU's economic success is based on openness, Europe will be able to protect itself from abuse. And he criticised China for "exploiting gaps in the international rulebook to further its consolidation of global power…in a manner that makes a mockery of level playing fields and fair, rules-based trade".
The EU, as a bearer of openness, is therefore increasingly confronted with a delicate balancing act. "A Europe that protects is not a protectionist Europe", the Commissioner said, stressing however that the EU would use "stronger tools" to defend its interests and ensure fair competition.
"Mixed picture" with the United States
Since the January meeting (see EUROPE 12409/22), the new Commission has been trying to reinitiate transatlantic relations, Mr Hogan reminded listeners. Convinced that there is undoubtedly a "sincere commitment", positive on both sides, to "a new understanding", Mr Hogan is trying to secure a 'mini-deal' (see EUROPE 12431/4) before 18 March, in order to prevent an increase in tariffs on aviation products in the context of the Airbus dispute (see EUROPE 12427/10).
In addition, the EU hopes that the US will join forces with it to reform the World Trade Organisation. It is in fact in Washington, at Georgetown University on 17 March, that he will clarify the lines identified by the EU for carrying out such a reformat. "This speech can act as a catalyst for further action and global collaboration, particularly across the Atlantic", Hogan promised.
On future relations between London and the EU, finally, Mr Hogan, who had denounced British political posturing, felt that the first round of negotiations, which ended the day before, had been "characterised by a seriousness and professionalism, which has been a positive start". (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)