Global Europe

The Global Europe agenda has started to send alarm bells ringing in the European parliament.

The Global Europe agenda has started to send alarm bells ringing in the European parliament. Trade agreements between the EU and other countries should be seen as an opportunity and not a threat. It should be a way that the EU can gain access to other markets whilst promoting good values in terms of labour conditions, sustainable development and democracy building. Sadly, instead of being an opportunity to promote progressive European values, the new round of trade negotiations seems to be pushing a purely neo-liberal agenda which is about access only, and within which social clauses are just warm words used as a sop to those who care about the impact on the developing world. So what does the new “Global Europe” agenda involve and how should the parliament respond?

The Global Europe agenda promoted by DG Trade involves three key areas: market access, access to resources and new areas of growth. It is important for European business to have access to all markets, but the worry is on what terms will this access be granted and who will benefit? Will more and better jobs be created? On access to resources we know that this is becoming more and more relevant as Russia exerts its power by stopping gas supplies to some central and eastern European countries. We see the economic rise of both India and China. China’s growth and expansion into resource-rich Africa has led to condemnation of the country’s involvement in Sudan and Darfur. Some could say this is a bit rich coming from countries that colonised Africa but the “scramble for Africa” is taking on a new form. Even the Americans are taking a renewed interest. So where will the EU be in this global battle for resources? Surely it should not be a scramble to the bottom but a race to the top?

With the parliament about to have more powers over trade agreements through the assent procedure, MEPs will have the power to say yes or no to future agreements. However, it is thought that the parliament should have better scrutiny and access to the negotiations and that the secrecy which shrouds trade deals should be lifted. There is still a debate to pursue over social clauses but the question perhaps is what enforceable penalties would be applicable and would we walk away if the other partner did not abide by them? Who scrutinises the implementation? Are European businesses up for further scrutiny of their outsourcing abroad?