On May 24, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, together with the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (VBO-FEB), organised a seminar in Brussels. The seminar included a panel discussion on the EU’s trade agenda until the European Parliament elections in 2024.
The panel included high-level members of EU institutions and representatives of the current and upcoming EU presidency countries. Anna Stellinger, Head of International and EU Affairs at Swedish Enterprise, moderated the discussion.
Participants from EU institutions included Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA), and María Martín-Prat, Deputy Director General of the Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) of the European Commission. Representatives from the Swedish, Spanish and Belgian governments included Håkan Jevrell, Secretary of State for Trade, Xiana Méndez Bértolo, Secretary of State for Trade, and Willem van de Voorde, Ambassador at the Belgian Permanent Representative to the EU. Luisa Santos, Deputy Director General of BusinessEurope, represented the European business community.
Free trade agreements with third countries – the top priority
Discussions revealed consensus between the organisations, the EU institutions and the three countries regarding the importance and need for a proactive EU trade agenda that seeks to improve trade opportunities with third countries.
“Open economies such as Belgium, Spain and Sweden have a great deal to gain from a strong European trade policy. Trade agreements with third countries bring new opportunities, ensure economic growth and job creation, and access to a wide range of goods and services. They also boost our technological advancement and innovation, increase business competitiveness and enhance our economic resilience and promote sustainability. And, of course, we cannot underestimate the cultural exchange and enrichment they bring about and the power of strong diplomatic and geopolitical ties.” said Marta Blanco, Director of CEOE International.
The focus of the seminar was that the free trade agreements with New Zealand, Chile, Mexico and Mercosur should enter into force during the current institutional cycle, while ongoing negotiations for free trade agreements with Australia, India and the ASEAN countries should be accelerated. Xiana Méndez Bértolo expressed optimism that an agreement on the side agreement to supplement the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur can be reached during the Spanish presidency. Bernd Lange also hoped for an agreement during this year’s legislative assembly.
Market opportunities for European businesses
The diversification of import and export markets was identified as a priority, especially to obtain raw materials and inputs at reasonable costs and make European supply chains more resilient. The openness of the EU’s internal market is seen as crucial to support economic development in third countries and to ensure that Europe maintains its position as a significant trading and investment partner for countries and regions around the world. The EU should offer a credible alternative to other actors that are gaining ground in many regions around the world. It is also an opportunity for the EU to assert its leading role in services and technologies related to the green and digital transitions, and to help other countries to raise ambition levels in terms of cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
An ambitious EU trade agenda
In summary, a consensus was reached during the panel discussions between the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the three respective countries regarding the role of trade policy for European development and prosperity. The ambitious trade agenda, including short- and long-term trade priorities, offers hope that important progress can be achieved in the near future.
“A trade agenda that focuses on new and strengthened trade opportunities for Europe and European businesses is more important than ever – this opinion is supported by the three host organisations from Sweden, Spain and Belgium. This includes continued engagement in the World Trade Organization (WTO), and a call to move forward with the free trade agenda. We want to send a clear message to European decision-makers and member states to push for an open, well-balanced and positive trade agenda in the run-up to the 2024 EU elections, while at the same time maintaining the momentum for the next mandate period,” said Anna Stellinger.
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