Trade Policy Review : Renew Europe supports Commission’s strategy but has some concerns
Yesterday, Renew Europe welcomed the Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis during its group meeting. That was the occasion to have an exchange of views on many topics concerning EU Trade policy.
A few weeks ago, the Commission published a communication on the Trade Policy Review and the objectives for EU Trade policy in the coming months and years. Renew Europe scrutinised the proposals of the Commission. In broad terms, the group supports the Commission’s strategy and shared with Valdis Dombrovskis some concerns.
In this pandemic context, our economic recovery needs trade. Our SMEs need trade. Our societies need trade. Trade is the key to recovery. Protectionism is not. Trade plays a fundamental role in favour of jobs, prosperity and for health and life.
As you can imagine, Renew Europe reminded Valdis Dombrovskis that the Commission must protect our values and promote them in our trade relations around the world. The respect of the fundamental rights, the fight against the climate change and the forced labour are priorities for our political family. The EU must engage with our partners to promote a rules-based and values-driven trade policy. Consequently, Renew Europe MEPs expressed concerns on the EU-China agreement on investment, especially without a proper trade toolbox in place before.
Our group also insisted on the requirement for the Commission to find a balance between the needed openness and the importance to have efficient toolbox to ensure the level playing field for the EU and uphold its values and standards. Renew Europe urges the Commission to continue to work on our trade instruments that need to be ready and functional in order to deal with today’s global challenges. Our political family is waiting for concrete proposals about the upcoming anti-coercion instrument. The EU needs this instrument urgently to have a real assertive EU trade policy and build an open strategic autonomy.
Renew Europe welcomed the commitment of Valdis Dombrovskis for a WTO reform. He already exchanged with the new Director-General of WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on this matter. Our political family remains committed to promote the multilateralism and expects a decisive action of the EU on WTO reform.
Renew Europe reminded the EU needs concrete and deliverable shared commitments on shared values. For this, the EU must work hand in hand with our partners, as Mercosur. This will be the key to a successful implementation of agreements. This exchange of views was also the occasion to approach the importance of the transatlantic relations. Renew Europe welcomed the temporary suspension imposed on EU goods because of the Boeing — Airbus dispute. This is a first step. Now, the EU must work towards making it a permanent one. It is essential for our producers, in particular in these challenging times.
