Opinion
Adopté on 25/01/2023
Référence:
REX/561-EESC-2022Referral:
COM(2022) 409 final Rapporteur:
Session plénière:
575 -
janv 24, 2023 janv 25, 2023
International Trade
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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Opinion
Adopté on 26/10/2022
Référence:
REX/551-EESC-2022Rapporteur:
Opinion
Adopté on 20/10/2021
Référence:
REX/535-EESC-2021Rapporteur:
Opinion
Adopté on 07/07/2021
Référence:
REX/539-EESC-2021Rapporteur:
Timo VUORI (Finland)
Co-rapporteur:
Trade Policy Review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy
Opinion
Adopté on 18/09/2020
Référence:
REX/527-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Dimitris DIMITRIADIS (Employers - GR I/Greece), Dilyana SLAVOVA (/Bulgaria), Thomas WAGNSONNER (Workers - GR II/Austria) (Employers - GR I / Greece)
- The common foundation of any EU political engagement leading to an equal development partnership with Africa shall be based on a multidimensional approach, articulating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the respect of Universal Human Rights (UHRs) - including fundamental rights, the right to a healthy environment and the freedom to conduct a business.
- The EESC advocates promoting a decent life and good prospects, creating a middle class and supporting equal partnerships by strengthening sustainable social-liberal democratic structures in Africa.
- The EESC highlights that the EU strategy on Africa must focus on Development and welcomes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- The EESC reiterates the important role of organised civil society in the up-coming ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.
Opinion
Adopté on 18/09/2020
Référence:
REX/532-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Key points
Global supply chains (GSC) are key and complex in economic activities across the world and in global trade. Economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurship are also contested by evidence of negative implications for working conditions as well as for sustainability in some supply chains.
The COVID-19 crisis has unveiled the serious downfalls related to highly fragmented and undiversified supply chains. It exposed the vulnerability of workers' health and safety, and it highlighted violations of human rights. Trade will have to play a key role in promoting a sustainable economic recovery. However, stronger instruments need to deliver on a socially and environmentally responsible business, trade and investment agenda.
GSC need to become more resilient, diversified and responsible, and ambitious actions need to ensure they contribute to a fairer economic and social model, based on sustainability and decent work.
Opinion
Adopté on 18/09/2020
Référence:
REX/531-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Emmanuelle BUTAUD-STUBBS (France)
Opinion
Adopté on 18/09/2020
Référence:
NAT/791-EESC-2020-EESC-2020-01349Rapporteur:
John BRYAN (Ireland)
Le présent avis traite de trois des quatre grandes tendances qui sont au cœur des nouvelles priorités de la Commission: le changement climatique, la perte de biodiversité et la mondialisation. Alors que le pacte vert pour l’Europe va aboutir à renforcer les normes environnementales, par exemple en fixant des objectifs climatiques plus stricts, il importe qu’aucun accord de libre-échange ne vienne saper ces progrès en concourant à la déforestation ou à la perte de biodiversité dans des pays tiers. Comptant parmi les plus gros importateurs mondiaux d’énergie, de produits agricoles et de matières premières, l’UE a contribué au recul de la forêt et de la biodiversité dans d’autres États.
Opinion
Adopté on 15/07/2020
Référence:
REX/525-EESC-2020Referral:
COM(2019) 455 final Rapporteur:
Co-rapporteur:
Alberto MAZZOLA (Italy)
The Covid-19 impact is having a profound and unprecedented impact and Europe needs to respond with a strong, social, sustainable and inclusive EU Recovery Plan that will support companies and people. The upcoming early EU Trade Strategy review needs to draw important lessons from this crisis. The EU is not self-sufficient and depends on access to international markets. It needs resilient, diversified and responsible Global supply chains. Stronger instruments need to deliver on a sustainable trade and investment agenda in all its dimensions. It needs to be consistent with the Green Deal and show equal ambition on the effective implementation and enforcement of labour provisions. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recommendations made in a series of recent and ongoing key opinions on EU trade must inform this strategy review.
Opinion
Adopté on 15/07/2020
Référence:
REX/529-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Emmanuelle BUTAUD-STUBBS (France)
L’impact profond et inédit de la crise sanitaire liée à la COVID-19 appelle une réaction sans précédent et sans équivoque, inscrite dans le long terme.