Invited to the lunch bringing together ministers and representatives of Member States as part of an informal Trade meeting on Friday 20 February in Nicosia, German socialist Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s INTA Committee and permanent rapporteur on EU-US relations, granted us, the day before, a few minutes for an interview in the heart of the Cypriot capital. (Interview by Pauline Denys)
Signing of the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, conclusion of negotiations with India, resumption of talks with Australia... it’s been a busy start to the year on the trade front. Do you think we are witnessing a unique moment in the multiplication of the EU’s trade partnerships?
Yes, of course, there is a momentum based on the change in the geopolitical and geoeconomic situation, no doubt about that.
I was in Jakarta last April, during the so-called ‘Liberation Day’- or rather ‘Inflation Day’ (the new US trade policy imposing new tariffs on its trading partners, editor’s note). Indonesians were truly shocked to learn that they were being targeted at a rate of 32%.
This momentum has led them to look for a reliable partner (the EU and Indonesia signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and an investment protection agreement in September 2025, editor’s note).
I think that our agreements sealed after the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 have demonstrated that we are really a reliable partner.
What are the main messages you will be sending to the ministers?
First of all, of course, I’d like to talk about trade relations with the United States, and present Parliament’s position.
Secondly, I think we should really go ahead with the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after Canada’s interest in it and Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment (see EUROPE 13622/4). Then, I think we should also take an interest in the discussions on the reform of the WTO (see EUROPE 13811/12).
And, of course, we need to look at industrial policy and its place in the international framework. Finally, we have some legislative files, such as GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences) and the regulation to phase out Russian gas. I hope we can get the new proposal on banning Russian oil imports through as quickly as possible.
As opposed to free trade agreements in the context of partnerships around the world, what do you think of the call for protectionism and the ‘Made in Europe’ discourse favoured by certain Member States?
We have to be careful. I was just in the Philippines and one element for the negotiations (for the conclusion of a free trade agreement, editor’s note) is the opening up of public procurement markets. If, we are now, on the contrary, beginning to close our public procurement markets, this would not fit together.
On the other hand, of course, we need to strengthen our industrial development, specifically in the context of (climate) transition. So we need to think about what we can do without harming our partners or the World Trade Organization (WTO).
We have some opportunities regarding public procurement: to include countries with which we have a trade agreement and those that have signed the WTO agreement on public procurement, and to exclude the others. That’s totally possible.
With regard to the EU-US trade agreement, on the issue of European products derived from steel and aluminium, you have proposed to reintroduce customs duties on equivalent American products if the country does not comply with the frameworks of the agreement within six months. Do you think this provision will be maintained during negotiations with the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 13805/14)?
We debated this issue at length in the European Parliament and my aim was to get a broad majority. It is essential to be as united as possible within the European Union, and this is also valid for the European Parliament.
Therefore, I think we will really defend this position. There are five key points, including European products derived from steel and aluminium derivatives. The abolition of surcharges on them is indisputable. Discussions are also underway in the United States.
We’ll see how the negotiations with the Council go, but the Council also includes a sunset clause (suspending the agreement) and a safeguard clause. I therefore believe that we will adopt a strong European position.
Trade relations with China are also on the agenda for the informal meeting. What is the current state of play?
We are open to competition, but it must be fair.
We have introduced numerous anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and other measures to target China’s unfair practices.
However, cooperation is also essential. You can’t ignore China’s 1.4 billion people and strong economic power, nor the fact that some of humanity’s problems, such as climate change, cannot be solved without China.
The European Commission has stated that it would be prepared to apply the agreement with the Mercosur countries on a provisional basis once one of these countries has ratified the free trade agreement. Are you convinced that such a scenario will occur?
Yes and no. While the Court of Justice of the European Union (which has been asked by the European Parliament to verify the compatibility of the trade agreement with the EU Treaties, editor’s note) clearly indicates that the verification process will take a long time, an interim application is highly likely. In that case, I’ll support it.
The Mercosur countries are working hard. It is possible that a notification will be made before the summer. We will have to make a decision with this deadline in mind.
In a second scenario, the Court acts quickly. So in about six months’ time, we could begin the normal ratification process after the summer break.
The time between the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement and its entry into force is very long. Do you support this desire to speed up the process within the EU, particularly as regards the process of translation and legal revision of an agreement?
It is totally incomprehensible that it should take a year and a half from the end of the negotiations to the signing. It’s far too long, as I’ve already said.
I have also expressed my concerns to the European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, who is now putting a proposal on the table.
What other trade partnerships do you anticipate will soon see the conclusion of bilateral negotiations?
Thailand and the Philippines. I think we will conclude the negotiations this year. This will also be the case, very soon, for the free trade agreement with Australia. I’m confident that we’ll find a solution to the issue of Australian beef and sheep imports.