Business employers from Spain, Belgium and Sweden advocate for an open, modern and balanced European trade policy

“The EU Trade Agenda until the 2024 European Elections”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, to name just a few examples, have shown us the importance of an open EU trade policy.

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In order to underline the need for an open, modern and balanced European trade policy, the business and employer organizations of the countries of the current and next two Presidencies of the Council of the EU they have celebrated the event “The EU Trade Agenda until the 2024 European Elections”.

Today, an increasing proportion of global growth takes place outside Europe. The creation of a greater number of opportunities for diversification and better access to global markets are essential for European companies to access expertise, key technologies and global value chains. Furthermore, trade strengthens our economic resilience and is also a crucial factor for the necessary ecological and digital transitions.

 

The three organizations firmly believe that the EU must continue to pursue a positive trade agenda that aims to increase access to third country markets. This should be done both through the WTO and its bilateral trade agenda.

 

Pieter Timmermans, general director of the Belgian Business Federation"Trade has always helped us move forward and has always been part of our DNA. Throughout history, Belgium has always been an open country, which has brought great wealth and prosperity to Belgian society. It has fostered economic growth, urban development, social mobility, and cultural exchange. In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to use this strength we possess and put Europe back at the forefront of global trade."

Trade agreements with third countries: priority number one

All three organizations firmly believe that UE must continue to implement a positive trade agenda that aims to increase access to third country markets. This should be done both through the WTO as well as its bilateral trade agenda.

Focusing on the latter, the trade agreements of the EU with New Zealand, Chile, Mexico and MERCOSUR should come into force during this institutional cycle, while ongoing negotiations with Australia, India and the countries of the ASEAN should be accelerated and eventually concluded. Last but not least, the three organizations call on the EU to urgently work to consolidate the trade relations with the USA, reducing administrative costs when doing business, as well as to guarantee a balanced relationship with China that takes into account the increasing risks while recognizing the need to commit to the Asian giant.

Marta Blanco, president of CEOE International: "Open economies like Spain, Belgium and Sweden They have much to gain from a strong European trade policy. Trade agreements with third countries bring new opportunities, guarantee economic growth and job creation, as well as access to a wide range of goods and services. They also boost our technological advancement and innovation, increase business competitiveness, improve our economic resilience, and promote sustainability. And, of course, we cannot underestimate the cultural exchange and enrichment they offer, nor the power of strong diplomatic and geopolitical ties.

Create market opportunities for European companies

The diversification of import markets is essential to supply raw materials and inputs at reasonable costs, make European supply chains more resilient, as well as reduce current dependencies and prevent new ones from emerging in the future. The opening of the EU market It is also essential to support the economic development of third countries and ensure that Europe retains its place as a leading trade and investment partner for many countries and regions around the world. The EU must offer a credible alternative to other actors that are gaining ground in many regions of the planet.

Furthermore, it is an opportunity for the EU to reaffirm its leadership in services and technologies related to the green and digital transitions and to help others to be more ambitious in their decarbonisation goals.

An ambitious European trade agenda

The event was attended by representatives of the current and next two Presidencies of the Council of the EU, as well as senior representatives of the European institutions and the business community.

Anna Stellinger, Deputy Director General and Head of International and European Affairs at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise: “An EU trade agenda focused on new and strengthened trade opportunities for Europe and European businesses is more important than ever, a view shared by the three host business organizations from Sweden, Spain, and Belgium. This includes continued engagement at the WTO but also a push to advance the FTA agenda. We want to send a clear message to European policymakers and national capitals to promote an open and balanced trade agenda in the run-up to the 2024 European elections and keep it alive in the next legislative term.”