MEPs on the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) adopted an own-initiative report on the Indo-Pacific trade and investment strategy on Monday 16 May. The different political groups amended the text of the rapporteur, Jan Zahradil (ECR, Czech Republic), to include more demanding expectations from the partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
For example, MEPs toughened the language on relations with China: the EU must “firmly defend its interests and values” in its multi-dimensional relations with Beijing, according to MEPs. It should also “develop a more assertive, comprehensive and coherent EU-China strategy”, according to the adopted amendments.
MEPs also call on the EU to approach Taiwan with a view to a potential Memorandum of Understanding.
In this regard, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis told MEPs of the INTA Committee that a new type of dialogue with Taiwan on trade and investment was underway: “We will strengthen cooperation with Taiwan in the areas of trade, technology in critical sectors, supply chains, monitoring of foreign direct investment, and export controls”, he told the INTA Committee on Tuesday 17 May. A meeting at ministerial level on the Taiwanese side and at the level of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) on the EU side will be held on 2 June as part of this new EU-Taiwan Trade and Investment Dialogue.
In general, MEPs call for a strengthening of relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific region, while ensuring that they are committed to respecting human and labour rights. The EU should take advantage of links with countries in the region to promote its sustainable development standards, say MEPs. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)