CURATED CONVERSATIONS AT THE WTO: WHO GETS A SAY IN THE AGE OF MINI TRADE DEALS?

Trade policy is changing rapidly. To secure critical raw materials, protect supply chains, accelerate the digital transition and respond to geopolitical pressure, governments are increasingly striking flexible, sector-specific arrangements, often known as 'mini deals'.

These mini deals promise speed and agility where traditional free trade agreements can take years and be politically divisive. But there is a catch: when established consultation and monitoring mechanisms are missing, who ensures that civil society has a meaningful voice?

The EESC considered this urgent question during the WTO Public Forum in Geneva at a side event held on 17 September.

The conversation explored what is driving the rise of this new type of deal, where they create risks and opportunities for stakeholders, and how transparency, accountability and organised civil society participation can be built into this new trade landscape.

As the EU body representing employers, workers and civil society organisations, the EESC was uniquely placed to lead the debate. Its hands-on experience of bringing diverse voices into EU trade policy includes serving as the secretariat for the EU Domestic Advisory Groups.

The event brought together voices from organised civil society, business, trade unions, environmental and development organisations, EU institutions, partner countries, the Geneva trade community and international organisations for a conversation on how faster trade deals can remain open, accountable and inclusive (pm).