Several political groups reiterated the need to trade with more third countries during a debate in the European Parliament plenary on 29 March. MEPs were reacting to the 23-24 March European Council, where trade policy was discussed (see EUROPE 13148/1).
The majority of the groups believe that the EU cannot succeed in its transition without trade. Some of them, such as the EPP, but also Renew Europe, have called on the Commission and the EU Council to move faster on the conclusion and ratification of trade agreements. The case of the EU/Mercosur agreement was mentioned by Paulo Rangel (EPP, Portuguese). According to him, the Mercosur countries are waiting, “and we are handing them over on a plate to China and Russia”.
His colleague and co-chair of the Greens/EFA group, Philippe Lamberts (Belgian), also supported the EU’s ambition to build strategic alliances. “Between democracies, it is in our interest to stick together”, he said. However, Lamberts stressed the need to have agreements that reflect “the world today”. For him, it is a matter of having high social and environmental standards vis-à-vis business partners.
China
On the other hand, EPP President Manfred Weber regretted the lack of unity on the strategy to adopt towards China. He listed the recent and future visits of the leaders of the European institutions and several European heads of state or government to Beijing. “We cannot engage with China from a position of weakness”, he says.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is visiting China this week, followed by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
For Manfred Weber, it is crucial that the various leaders speak with one voice. He additionally believes the position to be taken towards Beijing should be thought out hand in hand with the United States. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)