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EU TRADE POLICY. EU TRADE POLICY AND EU/CANADA TRADE RELATIONS. CLA National Conference – Ottawa May 31 st , 2012 Maurizio Cellini, EU Delegation to Canada. 1. EU TRADE POLICY.
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EU TRADE POLICY EU TRADE POLICY AND EU/CANADA TRADE RELATIONS CLA National Conference – Ottawa May 31st, 2012 Maurizio Cellini, EU Delegation to Canada
1. EU TRADE POLICY • From the internal market (corner stone of EU integration) with the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital and the establishment of the custom union • To acommon trade policy for 27 EU Member States (since 1960s): e.g. one single import tariff, same regulatory standards, same remedial actions (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy) • One EU voice in the WTO and one actor for negotiation of trade agreements (European Commission negotiator)
1. EU TRADE POLICY – How the EU negotiates • The European Commission (via the Directorate General for Trade) negotiates - On behalf of the 27 Member States - Regular reporting to the Council and the EP • The Council (EU governments) co-decides - Directives for negotiations - Follows the negotiation process - Council approve the results of the negotiation (generally by qualified majority) – sometimes MS ratify as well • The European Parliament (EP) co-decides - EP co-decides with the Council on trade legislations (except negotiating directives) - EP gives consent on agreements • Also, involvement of Civil Society and Public Consultations
1. EU TRADE POLICY – the EU is a trading power EU is a trading power… (> 500 million inhabitants) 15.5 % of world trade (in goods) in 2011 First world exporter 14.9% (2011) Largest importer 16,1% (2011) EU-27 received €103.9 bn in FDI 2010 (ranking 2nd after US €172.2 bn)
1. EU TRADE POLICY : Main trading partners • TOTAL EU TRADE IN GOODS (IMP + EXP) WITH MAIN TRADING PARTNERS - 2010
2. CETA NEGOTIATIONS EU /CANADA CETA NEGOTIATIONS state of play CETA: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement AECG: Accord Economique et Commercial Globale
CETA Process • The launch of CETA negotiations took place at the EU/Canada Summit in May 2009 in Prague. • The decision to launch negotiations followed almost two years of study on the costs and benefits of a closer EU/Canada partnership, the so-called “Joint Study”. http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2008/october/tradoc_141032.pdf • The Joint Study was then followed by the “Scoping Exercise”, which set the objectives of the negotiations. http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2009/march/tradoc_142470.pdf
Scoping Exercise Specific areas of relevance to any future agreement (Joint Report on the EU-Canada Scoping Exercise, March 5, 2009)
Modalities for the negotiations Reach maximum degree of liberalization of trade in goods and services, far beyond WTO commitments, towards economic integration; Pursue a comprehensive and ambitious agreement: No minimalist deal (all issues on the table); Conclude negotiations quickly – target is 2012; Because of the wide scope for the negotiations, essential to secure a strong involvement of the Canadian Provinces and Territories in the negotiations (first time for Canada).
CETA Negotiations – achievements • Nine rounds have taken place and one stocktaking meeting at political level (Dec. 2010). • Last round took place in Ottawa in October 2011 – the last formal negotiating round. Talks continue in the form of focused working sections. • In general, the negotiations have progressed very well so far. Excellent atmosphere and high ambitions remain on both sides. • The nine rounds have resulted in a consolidated text with only sensitive issues still being bracketed.
CETA Negotiations - Challenges • The table is now set for the “end game”. • However, there still are many complex and sensitive areas of negotiation to resolve, such as: • Improvements on the various offers on goods (Agriculture !) • procurement and services, • IPR protection • Investment Protection • In addition, the importance of many technical provisions (e.g. rules of origin) should not be underestimated.
Perspectives • Negotiations are characterized by a vast number of areas in which the exact balance of concessions in each of the areas may be difficult to reach. Therefore,negotiators must seek an overall balance across all sectors. • Hope to continue fast progress and conclude negotiations by 2012. • Satisfaction for the serious and constant implication of the Provinces and Territories in the negotiations. Provinces must remain active and committed. • Political support for an ambitious agreement remains strong on both sides.
thank you merci