The report on compliance with trade rules was approved on Tuesday 10 November by MEPs on Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) following an agreement in interinstitutional negotiations on 29 October (see EUROPE 12592/14).
The regulation strengthens the EU’s possibilities of sanctioning third countries that do not respect international trade rules. In particular, it extends the application of customs duties to services and intellectual property rights.
The rapporteur, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Renew Europe, France), said: “We need to remind our partners that there are rules governing international trade and that they must be respected by all. The EU will no longer be defenceless from now on”. The regulation still has to be voted on in plenary session and validated by the EU Council before it can enter into force.
INTA Committee MEPs also approved the resolution on the EU Trade Policy Review, in line with the conclusions of the meeting of trade ministers on 9 November, which had also addressed the subject. The report intends to pay greater attention to environmental goals and increased duty of care for companies. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)