About: trade

The EU must stop importing human rights violations

The EU needs to adopt a mandatory due diligence approach to supply chain management to ensure that it stops importing human rights violations, argue Anna Cavazzini and Heidi Hautala.

Enhancing cooperation in trade is key to combat piracy

Almost 10% of clothing and footwear sold in the EU are fakes and the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) defends the need for legally binding instruments to fight piracy when negotiating trade agreements with third countries, writes Christian Archambeau.

The EU doesn’t have to settle for a bad deal with Vietnam

Some argue that we should tread carefully and refrain from asking too much in terms of human rights from the Vietnamese, because if we do so we could end up pushing Vietnam into China’s orbit. But this doesn’t hold, writes Jude Kirton-Darling.

EU leaders head to China and Japan, seeking to restore global trade

After the turmoil of Trump in Brussels, EU leaders are in China and Japan today and tomorrow for two important summits, a sign that Europe is looking to Asia, writes Fraser Cameron.

Are geopolitics, trade and human rights compatible enemies?

Europe cannot turn a blind eye to the Human Rights abuses occurring in third countries, unless we rewrite the mandates of the functioning of the EU institutions and the Treaty, writes MEP Tomáš  Zdechovský.

EU must demand respect for human rights in trade talks with India

The Indian government must guarantee the security of religious minorities if it wants to conclude trade deals with the EU, writes Lars Adaktusson.

China and Europe pave the way for seamless worldwide e-commerce

The Digital Single Market may offer China some inspiration for adopting an electronic world trade platform that can tear down national borders and boost international e-commerce, writes Luigi Gambardella.

Will Prague be rewarded for its new attitude to China?

The Czech Republic is no longer criticising China on human rights or over the status of Tibet, and it is expected to reap economic benefits over the current visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, write Václav Kopecký and Alice Rezková.

Tensions in South China Sea require more active role from Europe

Member states should use their influence in the South China Sea to ensure territorial disputes between China and its neighbours do not spill over into regional or global conflicts, writes Charles Tannock.

Time to toss out toxic investment chapters from trade deals

Multinational companies are already exploiting investor protection clauses in free trade agreements to 'chill' social and environmental regulations that threaten their bottom lines, writes Matt Langdon. The EU must heed the warning bells.

TTIP: The Irish case for increased Transatlantic ties

The US is already the second biggest customer for Irish SMEs, and a successful TTIP agreement will only make this relationship stronger, writes Ian Talbot.

TTIP: A call for decisive action

We need to put hyperbole and prejudice aside and start an unbiased public debate about TTIP, argue Christian Ewert and Julia Hughes.

Stretching the truth on TTIP

Martin Schulz's new ISDS proposal will likely be approved by the European Parliament. But behind the new language, not much has changed, writes Cecile Toubeau.

Reaching greater summits

A summit of European and Latin American leaders could take the continents’ relationship to new heights, if they can make progress on trade and are willing to talk about Venezuela, writes Dita Charanzová.

Why does ISDS matter?

Jonathan Peel debunks some myths about ISDS, and explains why business supports investor protection.

Seven questions and three recommendations about TTIP

TTIP is currently “too big to fly”. Pierre Defraigne offered his vision for the future of TTIP in a speech to the European Business summit.

Addressing the ISDS nightmare

It will be a major strategic mistake to sacrifice carefully negotiated trade agreements of a new generation on the altar of 'Investor-State Dispute Settlement' (ISDS), if public opinion does not accept it, writes MEP Sorin Moisa.

Using TTIP to lift unnecessary trade burdens on textiles and clothing

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership offers an opportunity to keep high consumer safety, user information, and environmental standards for the textiles and clothing industry, while removing unnecessary burdens to trade, writes Isabelle Weiler. 

Free trade matters more now than ever

EU trade policy is at a crossroads at a time when more and more voices are questioning the approach to trade that has made Europe strong, writes Jan Eggert.

Ukraine opens new era in relations with China

China has become the second largest trade partner of Ukraine after the EU, and the recent visit of the Ukrainian President in Beijing shows Kiev is trying to rebalance its economic and trade ties in case of tensions with Moscow or Brussels, writes Oleksandr Okhrymenko.

Transatlantic free trade: Boon or bane for economic cohesion in the EU?

A comprehensive trade agreement between the EU and United States would result in higher employment rates in the economies that are part of the agreement, argue Samuel George, Thieß Petersen and Ulrich Schoof. Southern European countries would experience an above-average positive effect on employment, which is then reflected in a corresponding reduction in the unemployment rate.

EU trade with Myanmar and the grasshopper problem

The EU can be applauded for contributing strongly to Myanmar's economy without changing its import structure or losing a significant portion of its tariff revenue, says Akio Egawa.

Why an EU-China trade war is unlikely

Escalated tensions between the European Union and China over solar panel tariffs is not going to cause a trade war. These disputes are short-lived, even if they are expected to continue in the coming years, explains George Friedman.