Support for common trade policy
The key domestic issue is ensuring support for common trade policy – both
among the public and EU member states. Notably, this includes better
communication of EU trade policy, its rationale, implementation and results as
well as strategies to address the disruptive effects of trade (and the fears
thereof).
Globally, the EU has been trying to reconcile its bilateral and regional
agenda with support for the multilateral trading system. The latter looks likely to
be further tested in the coming years, e.g. Due to looming trade disputes
between key players – take for example the recent challenge of the US and the
EU over methodologies for antidumping duties by China – or countries
prioritizing bilateral goals over multilateral commitments.
While the EU has a
well-developed FTA network and agenda to fall back on, some of the most
difficult issues in its FTA negotiations, e.g. The investment dispute settlement,
could be easier to address – internally and externally – with a stronger
multilateral framework.
EU Forecast
euf:ba18.c:34/nws-01