A few days before the start of the EU trade policy review exercise, the EU-27 trade ministers took stock of the challenges facing the EU at an EU Council meeting on Tuesday 9 June.
The 'Trade Policy Review' will officially begin on 16 June with the launch of a “very broad and inclusive” consultation process, said EU Trade Commissioner, Phil Hogan. This review will make it possible to question stakeholders on the trade policy that the Union is due to adopt. It should be concluded before the end of 2020 with the adoption of a new European Commission Communication (see EUROPE 12498/25, 12496/22, 12494/7).
“The rise of China, the retreat of the US, the exponential growth of the digital economy, the escalating climate crisis, our rapidly expanding network of free trade agreements with the EU, Brexit”, all call on the EU to review its trade policy, Hogan emphasised.
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, new priorities have also emerged, such as the resilience of supply chains and support for economic recovery, as articulated by the new European concept of “open strategic autonomy”, (see EUROPE 12495/16, 12490/27, 12494/7).
Other key objectives — ecology, sustainability, the digital economy, support for SMEs — must also be pursued against the backdrop of ensuring a level playing field for the EU.
Within this context, the French Secretary of State for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, welcomed the reaction of Member States to the Franco-Dutch contribution submitted last May (see EUROPE 12480/14). On the topic of breaking down the trend: “I believe that there is a real awareness that is being created” in the EU on these issues by improving trade agreements, especially those chapters on sustainable development.
Better monitoring of trade policy implementation is also crucial for reconciling trade policy with the priorities of European citizens (see EUROPE 12495/16, 12499/10).
Paris is also encouraging a special consultation with national parliaments, as well as with stakeholders and civil society. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)