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International trade is governed by a complex mixture of global rules agreed under World Trade Organization and bilateral and multilateral agreements. The free trade agreements are having a growing impact on citizens' rights. Under the Lisbon Treaty, EU trade policy must be conducted within the framework of the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action, including promotion of the rule of law, human rights and sustainable development.

We believe that this trend should be a guiding principle in EU trade negotiations and in trade relations. The fact that we at the EESC reconcile the positions and views of business, workers, professionals, farmers, consumers and other important stakeholders contributes real added value. We are in a position to efficiently relay the opinions of civil society and interest groups to international policy-makers both during negotiations and in the implementation of trade agreements. We have set up a Follow-up Committee on International trade to ensure that civil society has a say in the shaping of EU trade policy. We are also managing the Domestic Advisory groups set up under the trade and sustainable development chapters of the EU "new generation" trade agreements. These groups, composed of civil society representatives (from inside and outside the EESC) are responsible for identifying trade and sustainable development-related problems in the implementation of a trade agreement.

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Building a European Data Economy (Communication)

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 05/07/2017
Viite: 
TEN/630-EESC-2017
Referral: 
COM(2017) 9 final
Rapporteur: 
Joost VAN IERSEL (Netherlands)

A pro-active mindset in business is needed to open up to increasing flows of data and develop the ability to process big data. Flexible and more adaptable business models must be put in place in the context of the current transformation process.

The Commission should carry out a precise analysis of the state of play and of defensive attitudes to the free flow of data in the Member States in order to remove unjustified barriers by putting the right legal and technical provisions in place. Removing unjustified barriers to free flow of data should be an integral part of a Europe-wide industrial policy. Opening up of national markets should also be covered by the European Semester.

As a matter of principle, contractual freedom in the private sector should be respected. A general EU framework for standards is desirable but standards should in no way hamper innovation. Portability should be promoted.

ETSK:n lausunto: Building a European Data Economy (Communication)

The external dimension of social economy (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 05/07/2017
Viite: 
REX/472-EESC-2017
Rapporteur: 
Miguel Ángel CABRA DE LUNA (Diversity Europe - GR III / Spain)

In its opinion the EESC underlines that the social economy is a key player and helps to achieve the objectives of all European policies with an external dimension: external and security policy, trade policy, neighbourhood policy, climate change policy, development cooperation and sustainable development policy. However, the lack of an appropriate regulatory environment, at both European and national level, prevents this sector from developing its full potential and maximising its impact. The Commission and the Member States must promote the participation, consultation and coordination of their external entrepreneurial and development cooperation activities with the bodies representing the social economy at European and national level, as well as with those of partner countries, and with international social economy organisations with a North-South and South-South dimension.

ETSK:n lausunto: The external dimension of social economy (own-initiative opinion)

Trade defence instruments - methotology

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 29/03/2017
Viite: 
REX/483-EESC-2017
Referral: 
COM(2016) 721 final 2016/0351 COD
Rapporteur: 
Christian BÄUMLER (Workers - GR II / Germany)
Co-rapporteur: 
Andrés BARCELÓ DELGADO (Employers - GR I/Spain)

The EESC is committed to open and fair trade and recognises its value as a driver of growth and jobs. Therefore, the EESC calls for a level playing field between European and third country exporting producers, and for effective trade defence instruments. The EESC supports the Commission's proposal that the dumping margin should be calculated not using the standard methodology, but on the basis of benchmarks that take account of significantly distorted production and sale costs. The EESC points out that in its 2016 opinion on preserving sustainable jobs and growth in the steel industry, it already called for the standard methodology not to be used in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into Chinese imports as long as the country failed to meet the EU's five criteria for market economy status. The EESC welcomes the Commission's intention of using specific criteria to determine whether there are significant distortions in the market situation.

Role of Agriculture in Multilateral, Bilateral and Regional Trade negotiations in the light of the Nairobi WTO Ministerial meeting (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 23/02/2017
Viite: 
NAT/679-EESC-2016
Rapporteur: 
Jonathan PEEL (United Kingdom)

ETSK:n lausunto: Role of Agriculture in Multilateral, Bilateral and Regional Trade negotiations in the light of the Nairobi WTO Ministerial meeting (own-initiative opinion)

The position of the EESC on specific key issues of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 21/09/2016
Viite: 
REX/464-EESC-2016
Rapporteur: 
Philippe DE BUCK (Employers - GR I / Belgium)
Co-rapporteur: 
Tanja BUZEK (Workers - GR II/Germany)

The EESC has played an important role in strengthening an informed civil society debate on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) through a number of TTIP-related opinions, adopted in 2014 and 2015, covering issues such as labour rights, investment protection, impact on SMEs, among others.

It is important under the present circumstances that the EESC, in order to maintain its position as a key civil society player in the TTIP debate, react to the textual proposals for TTIP negotiations on essential topics such as the sustainable development chapter, regulatory cooperation, investment and services. This will have the advantage not only of setting up the EESC position on major negotiating chapters but also of presenting concrete recommendations and pointing out the need to involve civil society in the implementation of those chapters.

ETSK:n lausunto: The position of the EESC on specific key issues of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations (own-initiative opinion)

The impact on key industrial sectors (and on jobs and growth) of the possible granting of market economy treatment to China (for the purpose of trade defence instruments) (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 13/07/2016
Viite: 
CCMI/144-EESC-2016
Rapporteur: 
Andrés BARCELÓ DELGADO (Employers - GR I / Spain)
Co-rapporteur: 
Gerald KREUZER (Austria)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warns against granting China market economy status (MES) and  calls on the European institutions to promote fair international competition and actively defend European jobs and European values with efficient trade defence instruments (TDIs). In its opinion, adopted at its 514th plenary session on 14th July, the EESC points to the disastrous impact a possible granting of MES to China would have on Europe's industry and consequently on Europe's labour market. The EESC insists on China's fulfilment of the five EU criteria for achieving the MES.

ETSK:n lausunto: The impact on key industrial sectors (and on jobs and growth) of the possible granting of market economy treatment to China (for the purpose of trade defence instruments) (own-initiative opinion)

Decent work in global supply chains (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 25/05/2016
Viite: 
REX/462-EESC-2016
Rapporteur: 
Emmanuelle BUTAUD-STUBBS (Employers - GR I / France)

The EU acknowledges the increasing importance of including the EU and partner countries' companies in the GSCs. It is also emphasised that the current interdependence of the economies may further increase due to the recently negotiated and implemented EU trade and investment agreements, as well as negotiations at the WTO. The EESC also recommends cooperation between international organisations and other relevant stakeholders. This would include adopting a common language and common definitions of elements related to global value chains, GSCs and decent work, and comparison and assessment of the statistical data between the various stakeholders, such as the OECD, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), WTO, the European Commission, the World Bank and IFM. This should help avoid confusion and misinterpretation, and support elaboration of a coherent policy between diverse public bodies involved.

ETSK:n lausunto: Decent work in global supply chains (own-initiative opinion)

Trade for all: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 27/04/2016
Viite: 
REX/449-EESC-2015
Referral: 
COM(2015) 497 final
Rapporteur: 
Jonathan PEEL (United Kingdom)

The European Commission review of EU trade strategy is timely in the first year of a new Commission.

 

The intense public interest that has been aroused by the TTIP negotiations between the EU and the US demonstrates that trade is no longer an esoteric matter nor the concern of those few who are sufficiently involved to master the finer, highly technical detail that trade involves. It is now a popular issue and part of the public agenda, but because of its technicalities it is also open to wide misunderstanding.

ETSK:n lausunto: Trade for all: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy

Access of third country goods and services to the European Union's internal market in public procurement

Opinion
Hyväksytyt on 27/04/2016
Viite: 
REX/465-EESC-2016
Referral: 
COM(2016) 34 final 2012/0060 COD
Rapporteur: 
Mário SOARES (Portugal)

The proposal on an International Procurement Instrument (IPI) is the EU response to the lack of a level playing field in world procurement markets. While our public procurement market is open to foreign bidders, the procurement markets for foreign goods and services in third countries remain to a large extent closed de iure or de facto. The IPI aims at encouraging partners to engage in negotiations and opening participation for EU bidders and goods in third countries' tenders. A first proposal on this issue was made in 2012 (COM(2012) 124 final) but there was no agreement in the Council. The new Commission proposal incorporates some of the changes requested from the European Parliament and tries to reply to some of the concerns expressed in the Council. A number of Member States have expressed reservations as regards the principle of closing the EU market for goods and services originating in certain third countries, even if only temporarily and in a targeted way.

ETSK:n lausunto: Access of third country goods and services to the European Union's internal market in public procurement

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