About: Karel De Gucht

Lamy: ‘Trumponomics’ won’t contaminate Europe

Former World Trade Organisation chief and EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy has denounced Donald Trump's protectionist trade policy for being outdated, telling a EURACTIV event he isn't concerned that European politicians will follow the new US president's cue.

Former Barroso Commissioners still enjoying big paydays

Former Commissioners are enjoying fat transitional allowances, even though they may already be working in the private sector or even if their time at the executive was only fleeting, according to German media. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU, US say hard to imagine trade deal without investor protection

A trade deal between the United States and Europe is hard to imagine without strong investor protection, US Trade Representative Michael Froman said on Thursday (30 October), hours after outgoing Commissioner Karel De Gucht said the US may break off talks unless Europeans show a firmer willingness to include investment-protection provisions in any deal.

EU, Singapore conclude investment protection talks

The European Union has concluded talks on a free trade deal with Singapore by adding investor protection clauses, which critics like Germany say give multinationals too much power.

TTIP negotiating mandate finally declassified

The Council of the European Union Thursday (9 October) finally published the secret negotiating mandate for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US.

EU and NATO breathes sigh of relief after Scotland ‘No’ vote

European Union and NATO officials expressed undisguised relief on Friday (19 September) at Scotland's clear vote against independence from Britain, but some fretted that the genie of separatism may be out of the bottle in Europe.

As EU, Ukraine ratify pact, doubts over the future of relations grow

The European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv simultaneously ratified today (16 September) the landmark EU-Ukraine Association Agreement (AA), but important concession made to Russia suggest the future of the relation is in doubt.

De Gucht rejects claims Commission misrepresented benefits of TTIP

EXCLUSIVE: The European Commission has rejected claims it misrepresented the possible economic benefits of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

Juncker starts interviews with Commissioner candidates

Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday (2 September) met with the candidates for commissioners presented by the member states. Belgium, the only country that hasn’t yet submitted a candidacy, is expected to do so on 4 September.

TTIP will sacrifice food safety for faster trade, warn NGOs

EXCLUSIVE/ The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will irreversibly put EU consumers and animals at risk, the European Commission will be warned today (28 August).

Commission ‘analyses’ Poland’s complaint over Russian food ban

The European Commission responded cautiously, today, to a Polish request to lodge a formal complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over a Russian ban on EU food products that has hit Poland particularly hard.

Poland wants EU to complain to WTO over Russian embargo

Poland has asked the European Commission to send a formal complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the Russian ban on imported EU food products that has hit Poland particularly hard, the Polish Economy Ministry said on Tuesday (19 August).

Belgian coalition talks stumble over commissioner choice

The outgoing Belgian prime minister, Elio Di Rupo, has asked political parties engaged in government coalition talks to choose an EU commission nominee before Friday (1 August).

Commission swamped by 150,000 replies to TTIP consultation

About 150,000 people have responded to the European Commission’s online consultation on the controversial investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clause in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

EU agrees on trade deal with Ecuador

The European Union completed negotiations on Thursday (17 July) on a trade deal with the Ecuador that will eliminate tariffs for most of its exports to its top trading partner, the Andean nation's trade minister said.

Key EU portfolio slipping out of Belgium’s hands

Delays in forming a government may come at a price for Belgium's EU Commission post in Brussels, according to the country's outgoing Prime Minister. EURACTIV France reports.

Developing countries face EU funding ban if they break intellectual property rules

The European Commission will ban developing countries from EU programmes, or cut their funding, if they persistently break intellectual property rights rules, according to a trade strategy published yesterday (1 July).

Four of the seven Commissioners elected take MEP seats

Seven of the present EU Commissioners stood for European elections and all were elected. Commission President José Manuel Barroso announced today (1 July) that four of them will take their MEP seats, and informed of the temporary re-allocation of their portfolios, pending decisions of their replacements.

EU takes Russia to WTO over pork embargo

The European Union is taking Russia to the dispute settlement body of the World Trade Organisation, in order to overturn a ban on pork exports from the bloc, escalating a trade row that has been aggravated by the crisis in Ukraine.

De Gucht downplays corporate dominance in TTIP talks

Multinational companies will not be given too much power by a trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, the EU's trade chief said on Tuesday (24 June), seeking to reassure consumer and environmental groups opposed to the pact.

Flemish nationalist spat hits EU scene

Karel De Gucht, the EU trade Commissioner from Belgium, lashed out at the Flemish nationalist party N-VA for joining the Conservative group in the European Parliament, saying they played a “dirty trick” on the liberals, who are led by another prominent Flemish, Guy Verhofstadt.

EU plans bid to raise global rag trade working conditions

A year after the Rana Plaza building collapse that killed 1,135 people in Bangladesh, the European Commission is mulling a new initiative to boost labour standards for global companies that supply Europe’s high streets, as a flagship for Europe's Year of Development, which begins in 2015. 

US wants ‘science’ to settle GMO debate in trade deal with EU

A planned EU/US trade deal should sweep away "non-scientific barriers" to US sales of many genetically modified crops and some chemically treated meats in Europe, the US agriculture secretary said on Tuesday (17 June).

Financial services off the table at next round of TTIP talks

Financial services will remain off the negotiating table in the next round of talks over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), according to a leaked draft of the European Union’s first offer to the US on trade in services and investment.