'Freihandelsabkommen gewinnen an Bedeutung für EU-Politik'[en] 

Woolcock discusses whether the EU can reconcile this greater emphasis on bilateral FTAs with its commitment to multilateralism in trade. 

Examining the background to the shift towards increased use of FTAs, Woolcock argues that until recently the EU had exercised a moratorium on new FTA negotiations. Its priority had been to conclude a comprehensive multilateral deal. For him, there are a number of factors behind the decision to end this moratorium. 

Several of these factors are political, according to Woolcock. First, there have been difficulties in multilateral negotiations within the WTO's Doha Development Round, his paper states. Secondly, developments in US trade policy and its increasing use of bilateral FTAs has made it harder for the EU not to respond in the same manner. Thirdly, FTA use can be motivated by development aims, for example, the agreements negotiated with ACP countries. Finally, the EU promotes its model of regional integration in other areas through the negotiation of FTAs, the author believes. 

There are also three broad commercial motivations for FTAs, according to Woolcock – firstly, neutralising the potential trade diversion resulting from FTAs between third countries; forging strategic links with countries or regions experiencing rapid economic growth – such as Latin America, India and Asia, and; strengthening the enforcement of international trade rules – such as intellectual property rights. 

Woolcock claims that – unlike the US – the EU has no 'model' FTA to form the basis of negotiations with all partners. Often, the EU simply models its own FTA on that agreed between the US and the country concerned, notes the author, although the EU-Chile agreement also serves as a model for countries at a similar level of development. 

Concerning the content of its FTAs, Woolcock notes that the EU has sought tariff-free trade for 90% of its trade with preferential partners, although it accepts a lower threshold for developing countries. Exceptions to this include many agricultural, food and pharmaceutical products. The EU retains safeguards in all its FTAs, such as the right to use anti-dumping duties and impose import controls in the case of 'imports surges'. 

Woolcock concludes that the EU's increased use of FTAs is compatible with its commitment to multilateralism, but only if the bloc redefines its concept of "all trade" as being 95% of trade and avoids excluding large bands of sensitive products in specific sectors such as agriculture.