The EU is posing as the new champion of trade openness and guardian of the international rules-based order. But three recent trade initiatives show that Europeans are all-too eager to do the opposite of what they preach, writes Hosuk Lee-Makiyama.
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Commentary: Transatlantic trade policy stasis won’t end any time soon
The transatlantic negotiation process will continue because it is the prerequisite to maintain the truce between the EU and the US. But it will be characterised by further foot-dragging and lack of interest on both sides, argues Gabriel Felbermayr.
Commentary: Trade can be a driver of climate action
CETA, the landmark trade agreement between the EU and Canada, holds established best practices for trade-accelerated climate action, Bernice Lee and Scott Vaughan argue as the business, civil society and policy communities gather in Brussels to consider how to merge trade and climate action.
Commentary: Regional trade agreements do deliver on their promises
The strong effects of regional trade agreements on commerce between members show that economic integration works, writes Per Altenberg. Negotiating RTAs that liberalise trade is an effective strategy for countries that seek economic improvement through trade, he argues.
Comment: Expect more on ‘competitive neutrality’ in WTO reform talks
Progressive adoption of rules ensuring competitive neutrality in a manner that is compatible with China’s economic model will be an important part of the EU’s attempt to revive the World Trade Organization, writes Renato Antonini. ***
Commentary: Italian populists are falling into line with EU on trade
Early fears that Italy’s populist government would block the EU’s trade agreement with Canada have proven unwarranted. Despite Trump-style rhetoric and ‘Italy first’ approaches, the populist government in Rome seems to have fallen in line with other EU governments on trade since taking power six months ago. The government is split …
Comment: Can the WTO be reformed?
The prospects for reform at the World Trade Organization, particularly to ensure that its dispute settlement system avoids paralysis, are “uncertain, to say the least”, says Stuart Harbinson. But the risk is worth it and not pressing on would be a dereliction of duty, he argues. Global trade is …
Southworth: Bring overseas countries into the British post-Brexit trade conversation
Chris Southworth, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom, shares his views with Borderlex’s Iana Dreyer on Britain’s prospects as a trading nation after Brexit. On the menu: the UK in the World Trade Organization in the Trump era, rolling over 40 existing EU trade agreements with …
Brazilian elections: What impact on Mercosur talks with EU?
Emily Rees assesses the impact of this Sunday’s Brazilian presidential election on European investments in Latin America’s largest economy and what sort of role the new administration will likely play in helping to secure a trade agreement with the EU. In an exceedingly polarised political climate, Brazilians are expected to …
China and the EU: The contradictions of exercising joint trade leadership
The EU and China know they must work together to show leadership in matters of global trade and investment. But realising effective cooperation with trade partners to make the system more robust and to withstand the “disruptive bilateralism originating from Washington” is easier said than done, argues Jacques Pelkmans.
