The European Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, indicated on Thursday 11 November, in the wake of the Trade Council of the EU, that the negotiations with Chile on the trade agreement had been completed on a technical level. On the other hand, “political consultations continue”, he said. At this meeting of trade ministers, most participants were in favour of this conclusion. France, for its part, has reservations about the content of the agreement, according to two European sources.
On arrival at the EU Council on Thursday morning, Valdis Dombrovskis said that “we count on the support of France” on this “important issue for the EU”.
The French Trade Minister, Franck Riester, said at the same time that he wanted to put “substance before negotiation deadlines”. “We must be demanding in these new negotiations to ensure that these free trade agreements are levers to move other concerns, starting with sustainable development”.
France will take over the Presidency of the EU Council in January and will also be involved in its presidential election in the spring. According to several sources, the country is concerned about chicken imports from Chile, which could destabilise its producers.
After the meeting with the ministers, Valdis Dombrovskis explained that, although the negotiations were completed and the Commission had exclusive competence in this area, political consultations with the Member States before the conclusion were useful to anticipate ratification. He also said that Chile as well was holding its presidential election in November. This is all the more reason for the Commission to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible.
As for the agreement with New Zealand, it still needs substantial work, according to the Commission.
Preparation of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference
The ministers were also able to work on preparations for the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, which will be held from 30 November to 3 December. For them, it is clear that WTO partners and members need to make more effort to reach compromises on the various issues on the agenda.
The EU joins WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s goal of reaching agreements on fisheries subsidies, agriculture, and trade and health. The EU also stressed the need to address WTO reform and to set a clear agenda, with the 13th Ministerial Conference as the target.
“We need to see more ambition from our global partners, work constructively, in spirit of compromise”, Mr Dombrovskis said.
The French minister, for his part, called on the United States to “move on the issue of WTO reform”.
United States
The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of recent developments in the EU-US relationship (see EUROPE 12824/4, 12801/20, 12741/1), as well as to hold a video conference discussion with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
Ministers encouraged the Commission to continue its “constructive” cooperation with the United States, in the words of the Slovenian Trade Minister, Zdravko Počivalšek.
In addition, at a conference at the Catholic University of Leuven on Friday 12 November, the European Commissioner for Digital Europe and Competition, Margrethe Vestager, added to EU expectations regarding the transatlantic partner. To ensure stability in the semiconductor market, she recalled the need for transparency and open markets.
“Some restrictions imposed during the crisis were not always proportionate. We need to give a stable, predictable environment to the industry. We need reassurance that we can continue to rely on our partners, in times of crisis especially, even if the political landscape changes”, she insisted. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)