G LO BA L E U R O P E

competing in the world

A Contribution

to the EU’s Growth

and Jobs Strateg y

European Commission

E x t e r n a l Tr a d e
 1 Purpose
2 of the Communication

Growth and jobs, and the opportunity they create, are at the heart of the European
Commission's agenda for Europe. They are essential for economic prosperity, social justice
and sustainable development and to equip Europeans for globalisation. They are a core
criterion by which citizens will judge whether Europe is delivering results in their daily lives.

In 2005, the renewed Lisbon strategy set out the steps we must take in Europe to deliver
growth and jobs. It underlined that an open market with high quality internal rules, effectively
enforced, in areas such as competition, innovation, education, research and development,
Growth and jobs are at the
employment, social and cohesion policy is essential in helping European companies compete
heart of the European
globally. And it highlighted the need to ensure open markets around the world.
Commission's agenda
for Europe. They are a core This internal agenda must be complemented with an external agenda for creating
criterion by which citizens opportunity in a globalised economy, encompassing our trade and other external policies.
will judge whether Our external priority in this area in recent years has been to pursue an ambitious, balanced
Europe is delivering results and just multilateral agreement to liberalise international trade further, opening markets
in which European companies can compete and providing new opportunities for growth
in their daily lives.
and development. The WTO remains the most effective way of expanding and managing
trade in a rules-based system, and a cornerstone of the multilateral system. The
Doha Development Agenda remains our first priority and the Commission is working
intensively to restart the Doha negotiation after its suspension in July 2006.

Through our trade policies, we also seek to contribute to a range of the Union's external
goals, in particular development and neighbourhood objectives. These will remain core
functions of EU trade policy. Coherence of the Union's external policies is vital to
strengthening the EU's global role.

The purpose of this Communication is to set out the contribution of trade policy to
stimulating growth and creating jobs in Europe. It sets out how, in a rapidly changing global
(1)
economy, we can build a more comprehensive, integrated and forward-looking external
See "A Citizen's Agenda
for Europe", adopted by the trade policy that makes a stronger contribution to Europe's competitiveness. It stresses
Commission in May 2006, the
"EU's renewed Strategy for
the need to adapt the tools of EU trade policy to new challenges, to engage new partners,
Sustainable Development", to ensure Europe remains open to the world and other markets open to us.
adopted by the Council
in June 2006, and
"Europe in the World", This Communication also addresses some of the links between the policies we pursue
adopted by the Commission
in June 2006. at home and abroad. As globalisation collapses distinctions between domestic and
international policies, our domestic policies will often have a determining influence on
(2)
The accompanying staff working our external competitiveness and vice versa. Recognising the need for an integrated,
paper contains a more
coherent approach to domestic and to global challenges has been a hallmark of this
detailed analysis underpinning
this Communication. Commission ( 1). But there is more to do to reflect this in the ways we think and work ( 2).
 new tools
We need to adapt the tools of EU trade policy
to new challenges, to ensure Europe remains
open to the world and other markets open
to our trade.

A Changing
2 3

World Changes in the global economic order today are as significant

for the world economy and international relations as the end of
the Cold War. Global economic integration is quickening, driven
by growing trade and capital flows, deepening financial markets, falling transportation
costs, and the revolution in information and communications technology. This is creating
unprecedented opportunities for growth and development. But it is also putting new
pressures on natural resources, in particular our climate, and on traditional industries
and livelihoods. It has eroded old certainties and aroused new fears.

Companies are responding to these changes, combining advanced technologies and

foreign capital with large pools of increasingly educated labour in the developing world.
Global supply chains are changing as companies outsource complex production and
services to lower cost economies. Components of a single product may be sourced in
a range of countries, replacing traditional trade in finished goods.

More countries than ever before are seizing the opportunities of globalisation. In the second
half of the twentieth century, the United States, Europe and Japan drove the global
economy. Today they are being joined by increasingly open and expanding economies,
in particular China and India, but also Brazil, Russia and others. China is already the 3rd
largest exporter and likely to become the second largest national economy a few years
from now. Within the same timeframe, India may become the 6th largest.

The nature of global trade is changing as a result. We do not yet live in a world without
tariffs, but many sectors are moving in that direction. For Europe, knowledge, innovation,
intellectual property, services and the efficient use of resources are now the keys to
European manufacturing
competitiveness. Trade policy and our whole approach to international competitiveness
industry has broadly maintained need to adapt.
its share of GDP in the face
of globalisation…
But the EU is losing ground
in high technology areas.
 3
Analysis:
4 the Foundations of EU Competitiveness

There are two critical and linked requirements for European competitiveness. First,
having the right internal policies, which reflect the external competitive challenge
and maintain our openness to trade and investment. Second, ensuring greater
openness and fair rules in other markets, in particular our future major trading
partners. Both must be underpinned by transparent and effective rules – domestic,
bilateral and multilateral.

3.1 The Right Policies at Home

i) Competitive markets: The single market is vital to creating globally competitive
companies in the EU. Its disciplines promote predictability and transparency and allow
business to exploit market size and economies of scale, encourage the efficient allocation
of resources and innovation, and prevent state aids being used as an anti-competitive,
protectionist tool. It has fostered the development of high-quality rules and standards
which help shape global norms.

Openness to global trade Competitive markets have helped European manufacturing industry broadly maintain its
and investment exposes share of GDP in the face of globalisation, while the US and Japan have lost ground. The
the domestic economy output of EU industry has increased by 40% over the last two decades ( 3) and the EU’s
to competitive pressures, position on world markets remains almost unchanged. Our service industries are world
stimulates innovation, leaders in a wide range of fields.
provides access to new technologies
and increases incentives This is largely because EU companies sell products and services with a design and quality
for investment. premium ( 4). Upmarket products account for a third of world demand and half of European
exports. In these higher-value products, the EU ranks second just behind Japan but ahead
of the US, whilst countries like China lag far behind.

But the EU is losing ground in the highest technology areas. Improving our performance
in innovation, education, research and development, both for products – including quality,
high value-added agricultural products – and services is critical to maintaining the EU’s
(3) ability to sell top-of-the-range products. We must also consider our external focus.
See Commission's
Communication on
European exports are strong in countries where demand is static but they are less well
"A new industrial policy: placed than Japan and the US in rapidly growing markets, particularly in Asia.
creating the conditions
for manufacturing to thrive"
(October 2005).

(4)
CEPII (2004),
European industry's place
in the International Division of
Labour: situation
and prospects.
 European exports are strong
in countries where demand is static
but they are less well placed than
Japan and the US in rapidly growing
markets, particularly in Asia.

ii) Openness: European economic openness is vital for creating jobs and growth in
Europe and for our international competitiveness. Openness to global trade and
investment increases our ability to exploit the benefits of an effective single market. It
exposes the domestic economy to creative competitive pressures, spurring and rewarding
innovation, providing access to new technologies and increasing incentives for
investment.
Protectionism raises prices
for consumers and business Europe must reject protectionism. Protectionism raises prices for consumers and business,
and limits choice. and limits choice. In the medium term, protecting import-competing sectors from fair
As our prosperity depends external competition diverts resources away from more productive sectors of the economy.
on trade, reciprocal obstacles As our prosperity depends on trade, others’ reciprocal obstacles would damage our
would damage our economy. economy.

Imposing temporary and targeted restrictions on anti-competitive imports into Europe

can play a role in defending European interests against unfair trade. We must maintain
these necessary trade defence instruments while making sure that they are adapted to
changing global trading conditions.

iii) Social justice: We must also recognise the potentially disruptive impacts of market
opening for some regions and workers, particularly the less qualified. Structural
change is not new, but it is accelerated by globalisation. Removing obstacles to adjustment
in the internal market and moving resources to sectors where they can be used most
effectively is essential to realising the benefits of trade and to creating jobs in Europe.
But the negative effects of trade opening can be sharply felt in particular sectors or regions
and can feed political opposition to open trade. We need to do better in anticipating the
effects of trade opening; in helping sectors, regions and the workforce adapt; and in
ensuring benefits are passed on to citizens. As we pursue social justice and cohesion
at home, we should also seek to promote our values, including social and environmental
standards and cultural diversity, around the world ( 5).

(5)
See "Promoting decent work
for all", adopted by
the Commission in May 2006.
 Companies, and people,
need time and predictability to adapt.
The aim must be to promote
adaptation, sustainable growth
and employment, not to protect
individual jobs or companies.

3.2 Opening Markets Abroad

Progressive trade opening is an important source of productivity gains, growth and

job creation. It is an essential factor in reducing poverty and promoting development,
with the potential in the longer term to help address many of the underlying factors which
drive the global challenges we face, from security to migration to climate change.

Our core argument is that rejection of protectionism at home must be accompanied

by activism in creating open markets and fair conditions for trade abroad. This
improves the global business environment and helps spur economic reform in other coun-
tries. It reinforces the competitive position of EU industry in a globalised economy and is
necessary to sustain domestic political support for our own openness. There are two core
elements in pursuing this agenda: stronger engagement with major emerging economies
and regions; and a sharper focus on barriers to trade behind the border.

Major emerging economies, especially China, India and Brazil, are rightly reaping the
benefits of their growing role in world trade. Together they now represent 15% of global
trade flows. This growth, based on progressive liberalisation, has been essential to their
historic achievement in lifting millions out of poverty.

The EU is already very open to exports from these emerging and other developing countries
and is ready to go further. But most emerging countries combine high growth with
unnecessarily high barriers to EU exports. As their role and the benefits they draw from
the global trading system grow, so too do their responsibilities to play a full part in
maintaining a global regime that favours openness.

This openness is no longer simply about tariffs. Securing real market access in the 21st century
will mean focusing on new issues and developing the tools of trade policy to achieve the
types of opening that make a real difference:

i) Non-tariff barriers: Reducing tariffs remains important to opening markets to Europe’s

industrial and agricultural exports. But as tariffs fall, non-tariff barriers, such as unneces-
sarily trade-restricting regulations and procedures become the main obstacles. These are
often less visible, more complex and can be more sensitive because they touch directly on
domestic regulation. Regulating trade is necessary, but it must be done in a transparent
and non discriminatory manner, with the least restriction on trade consistent with achiev-
ing other legitimate policy objectives.
 Rejection of protectionism
at home must be accompanied
by activism in opening markets abroad.
opening markets
7

Addressing non-tariff barriers is complicated, resource-intensive and is not fully covered in

the WTO. Instruments such as mutual recognition agreements, international standardisation
and regulatory dialogues, as well as technical assistance to third countries, will play an
increasingly important role in promoting trade and preventing distorting rules and
standards. This will require new ways of working within the Commission and with others,
including Member States and industry in order to identify and tackle barriers.

ii) Access to resources: More than ever, Europe needs to import to export. Tackling
restrictions on access to resources such as energy, metals and scrap, primary raw materials
Most emerging countries including certain agricultural materials, hides and skins must be a high priority. Measures
combine high growth with high taken by some of our biggest trading partners to restrict access to their supplies of these
barriers to EU exports. inputs are causing some EU industries major problems. Unless justified for security or
As their role grows, environmental reasons, restrictions on access to resources should be removed.
so too do their responsibilities
to play a full part Energy will be particularly important. As global demand increases and Europe becomes
in maintaining a global regime more dependent on external energy sources, the EU needs to go further in developing
that favours openness. a coherent policy for competitive, secure and sustainable energy. Internally, this means
completing a competitive, EU-wide energy market and promoting a sustainable, efficient
and diverse energy mix. Externally, we should seek to improve transparency, governance
and trade in the energy sector in third countries through non-discriminatory conditions
of transit and third party access to export pipeline infrastructure; and by helping to improve
production and export capacities and develop energy transportation infrastructure. Diversity
of source, supply and transit is essential to our internal and external policies.

The pursuit of economic growth through trade can have environmental implications,
particularly for biodiversity and our climate. Our external competitiveness policies will
need to encourage energy efficiency, the use of renewable energies including bio fuels,
low emission technology and the rational use of energy in Europe and globally, both to
reduce the growth in global energy demand and strengthen security of supply. The links
between trade policy and climate change in particular will require further examination.

iii) New areas of growth: We will require a sharper focus on market opening and stronger
rules in new trade areas of economic importance to us, notably intellectual property
(IPR), services, investment, public procurement and competition.

The value of new market access for EU businesses is seriously reduced without sufficient
IPR protection provided by the countries concerned. IPR violations deprive right-holders
of the revenue from their investment and ultimately put at risk the viability of the most
innovative and creative companies. The biggest challenge at present is the enforcement
 As supply chains are globalised,
the ability to invest freely in third
markets becomes more important.
Geography and proximity still matter.

of existing commitments, particularly in emerging economies. The Commission has devoted

considerable resource to fighting counterfeiting and improving IPR enforcement in key
third countries such as China. We have stepped up co-operation with partners like the
US and with Japan on IPR and we have worked to protect EU geographical indications.
But there is much more to do.

Services are the cornerstone of the EU economy. They represent 77% of GDP and
employment, an area of European comparative advantage with the greatest potential for
growth in EU exports. Gradually liberalising global trade in services is an important factor
in future economic growth including in the developing world. The EU will need to negotiate
to liberalise trade in services with key trading partners, especially where market access
is poor or our partners have made few WTO commitments.

Improving investment conditions in third countries for services and other sectors can
make an important contribution to growth, both in the EU and in the receiving countries.
As supply chains are globalised, the ability to invest freely in third markets becomes more
important. Geography and proximity still matter. Establishing a “physical” presence in a
foreign country helps EU companies realise business opportunities, makes the flow of
trade more predictable, and consolidates the image and reputation of the firm and of the
country of origin.

Public procurement is an area of significant untapped potential for EU exporters. EU

companies are world leaders in areas such as transport equipment, public works and
utilities. But they face discriminatory practices in almost all our trading partners, which
effectively close off exporting opportunities. This is probably the biggest trade sector
remaining sheltered from multilateral disciplines.

The absence of competition and state aid rules in third countries limits market access
as it raises new barriers to substitute for tariffs or traditional non-tariff barriers. The EU
has a strategic interest in developing international rules and cooperation on competition
policies to ensure European firms do not suffer in third countries from unreasonable
subsidisation of local companies or anti-competitive practices. There is much to be done
in this area. In most countries there is little transparency over the granting of aids.

In all these areas, transparent, effective and respected rules are essential. The proper
enforcement of such rules at home is the foundation of our competitiveness. But we also
More than ever, need to work with others to ensure their rules and standards are of similar quality.
Europe needs to
import to export.
 4
Agenda:
an Action Plan for EU External Competitiveness 9

Based on this analysis, we should build an agenda for action in the months and years
ahead. Our aims should be to influence the forces driving change, to seize the opportunities
of globalisation and to manage the risks. This is the challenge that lies at the heart of
the Commission's Communication of 10 May 2006, A Citizen's Agenda for Europe. The
Commission's role, in close co-operation with Member States, the Parliament and others,
in leading the EU's trade policy is a unique source of strength for Europe – a role not
matched in any other area of policy. But we must ensure that our priorities and methods
are adapted to the challenges of the future.

4.1 Internal

The renewed Lisbon strategy sets out a coherent agenda for adapting European economies
to the new global environment. To ensure our domestic rules respond to new pressures
and opportunities, the Citizen’s Agenda proposed a fundamental review of the single market.
This will examine how the internal market can further help European business make the
changes necessary to compete internationally by diversifying, specialising and innovating.
But there are other policy initiatives we should pursue now.

Our policy-making process should factor in global competitiveness challenges. The

greater the consistency in rules and practices with our main partners, the better for EU
business. We must play a leading role in sharing best practice and developing global rules
and standards. To do so effectively we must also take account of the external dimension
in making our regulatory and other standards. This is not about downgrading our rules.
It is about taking an open and flexible approach in setting our rules and seeking to prevent
future trade friction – and so support European business – where possible. This is already
part of our agenda for better regulation in the EU, but there is more we can do. International
Structural change is not new, and bilateral regulatory co-operation is a key tool to this end.
but it is accelerated by
globalisation. We need to do European citizens expect to see positive results from economic and structural
better in helping sectors and change. The case for openness is undermined if its benefits do not reach citizens. The
regions adapt; in anticipating Commission and Member States have important roles in ensuring that the benefits of trade
the effects of trade opening; opening and globalisation reach all citizens and are not captured by specific interests.
and in ensuring benefits Following the liberalisation of trade in textiles at the end of 2005, these benefits have
are passed on to citizens. not been passed on consistently. The Commission will put in place systematic monitoring
of import and consumption prices before considering further action.

Companies, and people, need time and predictability to adapt. The EU’s new generation
of cohesion policy programmes provide opportunities to anticipate, prepare and react to
changes linked to globalisation. These opportunities must be seized. The European
 Services are the cornerstone of the EU economy.
They represent 77% of GDP and employment,
an area of European comparative advantage with
the greatest potential for growth in EU exports.

10

Globalisation Adjustment Fund will also provide a swift answer to one-off, clearly defined
problems resulting from restructuring. The aim must be to promote adaptation, sustainable
growth and employment, not to shelter individual jobs or companies from inevitable change.
We will also make trading easier for companies at home, modernising EU customs by
revising the Customs Code and introducing e-customs.

4.2 External

i) The WTO
The world needs a strong multilateral trading system. It is the most effective means of
expanding and managing trade for the benefit of all and provides a unique framework
for dispute settlement.

There will be no European retreat from multilateralism. We stand by our commitment to

multilateralism and are prepared to pay, reasonably, to keep the system thriving. The
suspension of the Doha negotiations is a missed opportunity for global growth and
development. The EU has made significant offers of liberalisation, not least in agriculture,
and made clear its willingness to go further within the limits of its current mandate, as
part of a global agreement. Europe remains committed to the WTO and is working
hard to resume negotiations as soon as circumstances in other countries allow.

ii) Free Trade Agreements

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), if approached with care, can build on WTO and other
international rules by going further and faster in promoting openness and integration, by
tackling issues which are not ready for multilateral discussion and by preparing the ground
for the next level of multilateral liberalisation. Many key issues, including investment, public
The EU has a strategic interest procurement, competition, other regulatory issues and IPR enforcement, which remain
in developing international rules outside the WTO at this time can be addressed through FTAs.
and cooperation on competition
policies to ensure European firms But FTAs can also carry risks for the multilateral trading system. They can complicate
do not suffer from unfair trade, erode the principle of non-discrimination and exclude the weakest economies. To
subsidisation in third countries. have a positive impact FTAs must be comprehensive in scope, provide for liberalisation
of substantially all trade and go beyond WTO disciplines. The EU's priority will be to ensure
that any new FTAs, including our own, serve as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block
for multilateral liberalisation.

FTAs are by no means new for Europe. For example, they play an important role in the
European neighbourhood by reinforcing economic and regulatory ties with the EU. They
are part of our negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements with the African
 The case for openness is undermined if its benefits
are lost along the supply chain. The Commission and
Member States have important roles in ensuring that
the benefits of trade opening and globalisation reach
all citizens and are not captured by specific interests.

11

Caribbean and Pacific countries and of future association agreements with Central America
and the Andean Community. But while our current bilateral agreements support our
neighbourhood and development objectives well, our main trade interests, including in
Asia, are less well served. The content of these agreements also remains limited. We should
continue to factor other issues and the wider role of trade policy in EU external relations
The world needs a strong into bilateral trade developments. But in order for trade policy to help create jobs and
multilateral trading system. drive growth, economic factors must play a primary role in the choice of future FTAs.
It is the most effective means of
expanding and managing trade The key economic criteria for new FTA partners should be market potential (economic
and provides a unique size and growth) and the level of protection against EU export interests (tariffs and non
framework for dispute settlement. tariff barriers). We should also take account of our potential partners’ negotiations with
There should be no EU competitors, the likely impact of this on EU markets and economies, as well as the
European retreat from risk that the preferential access to EU markets currently enjoyed by our neighbouring and
multilateralism. developing country partners may be eroded.

Based on these criteria, ASEAN, Korea and Mercosur (with whom negotiations are on-
going) emerge as priorities. They combine high levels of protection with large market
potential and they are active in concluding FTAs with EU competitors. India, Russia and
the Gulf Co-operation Council (negotiations also currently active) also have
combinations of market potential and levels of protection which make them of direct interest
to the EU. China also meets many of these criteria, but requires special attention because
of the opportunities and risks it presents.

In terms of content new competitiveness-driven FTAs would need to be comprehensive

and ambitious in coverage, aiming at the highest possible degree of trade liberalisation
including far-reaching liberalisation of services and investment. A new, ambitious model
EU investment agreement should be developed in close coordination with Member States.
Where our partners have signed FTAs with other countries that are competitors to the
EU, we should seek full parity at least. Quantitative import restrictions and all forms of
duties, taxes, charges and restrictions on exports should be eliminated.

FTAs should also tackle non tariff barriers through regulatory convergence wherever
possible and contain strong trade facilitation provisions. FTAs should include stronger
provisions for IPR and competition, including for example provisions on enforcement of
IP rights along the lines of the EC Enforcement Directive. We will seek to include provisions
on good governance in financial, tax and judicial areas where appropriate. We should
also ensure Rules of Origin in FTAs are simpler and more modern and reflect the realities
of globalisation. We will put in place internal mechanisms to monitor the implementation
and the results of new FTAs.
 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), can
build on WTO rules by tackling
issues which are not ready
for multilateral discussion and
by preparing the ground for
the next level of multilateral
liberalisation.

12

In considering new FTAs, we will need to work to strengthen sustainable development

through our bilateral trade relations. This could include incorporating new co-operative
provisions in areas relating to labour standards and environmental protection. We will also
take into account the development needs of our partners and the potential impact of any
agreement on other developing countries, in particular the potential effects on poor
countries' preferential access to EU markets. The possible impact on development should
be included as part of the overall impact assessment that will be conducted before deciding
to launch FTA negotiations. In line with our position in the WTO, we will encourage our
FTA partners to facilitate access by least-developed countries to their market, if possible
by granting duty and quota free access.

These are high levels of ambition. Negotiating bilateral agreements can be complex and
demanding, but we need to create substantial starting points from which to begin
negotiations. We will need to ensure that we share similar ambitions with our prospect-
ive partners at the outset in order to avoid negotiations later stalling because of a mismatch
of expectations. The decision to launch negotiations should be taken case-by-case, based
on these economic criteria but also our partners' readiness and broader political
considerations. FTA provisions should be an integral part of the overall relations with the
country or region concerned. The best way to achieve this within the wider institutional
architecture will need to be established on a case-by-case basis.

The EU's priority will be iii) Transatlantic Trade and Competitiveness

to ensure that further FTAs, The transatlantic trading relationship is by far the largest in the world and the heart of
including our own, serve the global economy. The economic gains from tackling non-traditional, behind-the-border
as a stepping stone, barriers are potentially significant in the EU and US. We have been seeking to do so for
not a stumbling block for some time, most recently through the Transatlantic Economic Initiative, launched in 2005,
multilateral liberalisation. and a range of regulatory dialogues. Despite some progress, this has proven to be difficult
territory and a further injection of momentum is necessary.

We must also work together to tackle global challenges. Our weight in the world economy
means that co-operation between the EU and US in addressing areas such as IPR
protection or trade security will be of great importance.

iv) China
China is the single greatest test of Europe's capacity to make globalisation an opportun-
ity for jobs and growth. China faces huge challenges in addressing pressing social, environ-
mental and economic issues. Europe must get China right, as an opportunity, a challenge
and prospective partner.
 China is the single greatest test of Europe's
capacity to make globalisation
an opportunity for jobs and growth.
Europe must get China right,
as an opportunity, a challenge,
and prospective partner.

13

The Commission will set out a comprehensive strategy on China in the coming weeks.
On trade and economic issues, the strategy will identify a clear set of priorities, focus
on key challenges such as enforcing intellectual property rights, market access issues
and investment opportunities and highlight the need for stronger co-operation across the
Commission, with Member States and others in tackling these issues.

v) IPR enforcement
The EU should seek to strengthen IPR provisions in future bilateral agreements and the
enforcement of existing commitments in order to reduce IPR violations and the production
and export of fake goods. The Commission will reinforce its enforcement activity and co-
operation with a number of priority countries in particular China, Russia, ASEAN, Korea,
Mercosur, Chile and Ukraine; and we will work to improve enforcement in Turkey in the
context of accession negotiations. This will include reinforcing customs co-operation,
creating and strengthening IPR dialogues, reinforcing our presence on the ground,
allocating more resources to support right-holders, in particular SMEs, and building
awareness of IPR issues among EU companies, particularly those operating in China.

vi) Renewed market access strategy

The EU's Market Access Strategy was launched in 1996 to help enforce multilateral and
bilateral trade deals and open third country markets. It aims to give exporters information
on market access conditions and create a framework to tackle barriers to trade. The Market
Access Database, created to support this strategy, has helped inform business and policy
makers about market conditions, but it has not achieved its full potential.

The Commission will bring forward a communication on a renewed Market Access Strategy
in early 2007. This is likely to involve setting regular priorities in terms of sectors and
markets where the removal of trade barriers would create the greatest gains for EU
exporters.

The key economic criteria The Commission will need to concentrate resources in key countries, invest in technical
for new FTAs expertise, co-ordinate policy tools and work more closely with Member States and
should be market potential industry/exporters. We should also draw on the experience of existing negotiations to
and the level of protection identify what works and what does not when seeking to remove more complex barriers.
against EU exports.
vii) Public procurement
Almost all the EU's major trading partners operate restrictive public procurement practices
which discriminate against EU suppliers. The Commission is considering presenting a
proposal to target these practices in order to ensure a level playing field for EU suppliers
in tendering for public contracts abroad.
 Trade defence instruments are part
of the multilateral system and help
ensure that the benefits of openness are
not undermined by unfair competition.
We need to make sure they are effective
and adapted to the changes
in the global economy.

14

The best way to address these issues is to encourage third countries to negotiate
substantial agreements with the EU. Because open EU procurement markets are important
for our own prosperity, the challenge is to find new ways of opening up major foreign
procurement markets without closing our own. So where important trading partners have
made clear that they do not want to move towards reciprocity, we should consider
introducing carefully targeted restrictions on access to parts of the EU procurement market
to encourage our partners to offer reciprocal market opening. This approach would not
be considered for poorer developing countries.

viii) Review of Trade Defence Instruments

Trade defence instruments are part of the multilateral system and help ensure that the
benefits of openness are not undermined by unfair pricing, trading practices or subsid-
isation. We need to make sure that others apply high standards in their use of trade defence
instruments and international rules are fully respected.

We also need to make sure our instruments are effective and adapted to the changes in
the global economy. For example, manufacturers in the EU increasingly compete with
European distributors who have outsourced production overseas – often the only way
to respond to international competition and so help secure jobs in Europe. Suppliers
produce in more than one country, often both inside and outside the EU. Goods assembled
in one country often contain parts produced in another. Consumers and other manu-
facturers expect the benefits of wider choice, lower prices and higher standards. We need
to consider whether our instruments allow us to take account of this wide range of
European interests.

Ensuring Europe’s In the case of unfair subsidisation, we need to strengthen transparency requirements at
external competitiveness the international level and reinforce our ability to monitor practices in third countries. Where
will require new priorities justified, we will use WTO dispute settlement mechanisms or our own anti-subsidy instru-
and new approaches ments to remove foreign practices which unduly distort competition.
in external trade policy,
the right internal policies The Commission will collect views from experts and stakeholders to consider how to
and rules and stronger links strengthen our use of trade defence instruments in the 21 st century. This will lead to a
between the two. Green Paper later this year.
 stability
Europe remains strongly committed
to multilateralism. The world trading system

5
based on the WTO trading system is essential
in providing predictability and stability
in the international system,
and the conditions for global growth.

Conclusion 15

Ensuring Europe’s competitiveness in the global economy by removing barriers to trade

will require new priorities and new approaches in trade policy, together with high-quality
EU rules, and stronger links between the two. It will need to be an integral part of the
wider Lisbon strategy. It will require stronger co-operation within the Commission and
with Member States, industry and others, in line with the proposals on coherence in
the Commission's Communication "Europe in the World".

The principal, substantive means of achieving our goals remains through the system
of multilateral negotiation. That is why Europe remains strongly committed to
multilateralism. The world trading system based on the WTO is essential in providing
predictability, stability and other essential conditions for global growth. We shall need
to pursue new opportunities, sharpening our
In the months ahead the Commission proposes to: efforts to open markets and tackle trade
distortions within the multilateral system and
Internally we will: through bilateral initiatives. We will seek to
create the conditions for open and fair global
> Make sure that internal policy proposals, while furthering competition and to share our rules and
European standards, fit with global competitiveness challenges. standards with our partners.
> Make sure the benefits of trade opening are passed on
to citizens by monitoring developments in import and
consumer prices. This is an ambitious agenda designed to
> Equip people for change through the new generation of sharpen the contribution of trade policy to
cohesion policy programmes and the European Globalisation growth and jobs in Europe, to contribute to the
Adjustment Fund. liberalisation of global trade and to comple-
ment other external policy objectives of our
Externally we will: trade policy, in particular development and
> Maintain our commitment to the Doha Trade Round and neighbourhood objectives. It will be a central
the WTO as the best way of opening and managing world trade. element in judging the effectiveness of
> Make proposals on priorities in trade and investment relations European trade policy in the months and
with China as part of a broad strategy to build a beneficial years ahead.
and equal partnership.
> Launch a second phase of the EU IPR enforcement strategy.
> Make proposals for a new generation of carefully selected and
prioritised FTAs.
> Make proposals for a renewed and reinforced market access
strategy
> Propose measures to open procurement markets abroad.
> Conduct a review of the effectiveness of our trade-defence
instruments.
 Statistical
Annex:
( i n t r a - E U Tr a d e E x c l u d e d )
16

Table 1: Market potential and key economic indicators

of main EU trade partners

Market potential GDP Annual average Trade with Share of EU

2005-25 (2005, € bn) growth rates the EU trade
(€ bn)** 2005-25 (%)* (2005, € bn) (2005, %)

USA 449 10.144 3.2 412.7 18.5

China 204 1.573 6.6 209.4 9.4
Japan 74 3.920 1.6 116.4 5.2
India 58 607 5.5 40.0 1.8
ASEAN 57 714 4.9 115.1 5.2
Korea 45 598 4.7 53.3 2.4
Mercosur 35 677 3.6 51.0 2.3
Canada 28 849 2.6 40.8 1.8
Source:
GCC 27 412 4.3 87.6 3.9
World Bank, Global Insights and
Russia 21 526 3.0 163.0 7.3
own calculations.
Taiwan 18 268 4.3 36.5 1.6
Note:
Australia 17 526 2.5 30.1 1.4
* Growth figures from
HK 12 149 4.8 31.1 1.4
Global Insights 2007-15.
** Indicates cumulative changes in market Iran 10 151 4.3 24.2 1.1
size: economic size x growth. Ukraine 5 61 4.9 20.7 0.9
 17

Table 2: World market shares in 2003 and change

o ver the 1995-2003 period

Market share Change in market share

2003 (in %) between 1995 and 2003
(in percentage points)

EU 21.3 -1.1
Japan 10.5 -4.0
Korea 4.4 0.3
Russia 1.4 0.3
India 1.2 0.2
Ukraine 0.3 0.2
USA 13.8 -2.7
China 1.2 5.1
Source: Hong Kong 1.8 0.5
UN Comtrade – Mediterranean 1.7 0.3
Calculation by CEPII (2006) –
GCC 0.6 0.1
report for DG Trade
Mercosur 2.2 -0.1
Note:
Brazil 1.6 0.0
The sum of figures in
ASEAN 8.3 0.2
the first column equals 100,
Rest of the world 18.6 0.6
the sum of figures in the last column is 0.

Table 3: World market shares in low-, medium-, and high-quality

products in 2003 and change o ver the 1995-2003 period
(level in percent and varia tion in percenta ge points)

Down-market Mid-market Up-market

2003 Variation 2003 Variation 2003 Variation

EU 12.9 -1.8 20.0 2.0 32.3 3.1

Japan 6.7 -2.2 11.7 -4.4 15.2 -6.9
Korea 5.1 -0.1 4.4 0.8 3.1 -0.6
USA 12.0 -3.7 13.6 -4.1 17.9 0.2
Source:
China 20.4 8.1 8.2 4.6 3.7 1.5
UN Comtrade –
Mercosur 3.0 0.1 4.2 0.6 0.9 -0.1
Calculation by CEPII (2006) –
ASEAN 7.4 -2.8 7.7 -1.5 5.3 -0.3
report for DG Trade.
18

Table 4: Contribution to the trade balance by quality of traded goods in 1995 and 2003

EU USA Japan Korea India Russia China

2003
Low-market -56.6 -47.1 -18.9 74.8 73.2 14.1 182.7
Mid-market -15.8 5.2 30.1 -19.2 -43.8 39.3 -57.0
Up-market 75.8 20.2 -0.9 -55.4 -36.9 -66.5 -88.9
Source: not classified -3.4 21.7 -10.3 -0.3 7.6 13.1 -36.8
UN Comtrade – Degree of specialisation 67.8 35.3 24.8 67.2 65.6 55.2 148.5
Calculation by CEPII (2006), 1995
report for DG Trade. Low-market -36.5 -36.4 -16.0 108.4 49.9 59.3 109.7
Note: Mid-market -20.8 25.1 23.9 -39.0 -29.6 42.6 -41.3
When quantities are
Up-market 61.0 10.1 -4.6 -68.5 -61.3 -112.5 -63.4
not available the
not classified -3.7 1.3 -3.3 -0.9 41.0 10.6 -5.0
breakdown by quality ranges
Degree of specialisation 52.3 32.1 20.5 94.8 57.3 94.7 94.2
is not possible.

Table 5: Contribution to trade balance of high technolog y products by quality in 2003

Quality EU25 USA Japan Korea Russia India China

All -12.7 28.9 3.7 29.5 10.9 -44.4 -8.9
not classified -4.0 4.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9 -3.5
Source: High
Low-market -11.4 3.5 4.2 3.7 6.2 -17.8 38.8
technology
UN Comtrade – Mid-market -2.0 6.7 6.1 7.8 -2.0 -7.1 -15.4
Calculation by CEPII (2006), Up-market 4.8 14.6 -6.1 18.4 6.8 -18.6 -28.7
report for DG Trade. All 12.7 -28.9 -3.7 -29.5 -10.9 44.4 8.9
Note:
not classified 0.6 17.7 -9.9 0.0 13.4 8.5 -33.3
When quantities are
Others Low-market -45.2 -50.6 -23.1 71.2 7.8 90.9 144.0
not available the breakdown
Mid-market -13.8 -1.4 24.0 -26.9 41.3 -36.7 -41.6
by quality ranges
is not possible. Up-market 71.1 5.5 5.2 -73.7 -73.3 -18.3 -60.2
 19

Share in World FDI Flows 2002-2004

Inflows Outflows
Rest of the World
14%

EU 25 EU 25
27% 33%

USA USA
17% 38%
Candidates Candidates
1.8% 0.2%
EFTA EFTA
3% 4%
Canada Japan
3% 2%

Latin America Canada Japan

China 7%
6% 13% 7% China
Australia Latin America 0%
New Zealand ASEAN Hong Kong 1% ASEAN
5% 4% 4% 2% Hong Kong
Australia 5%
New Zealand
3%

Commercial Ser vices World Trade, 2004 (Billion of euros)

16 26
32 40

343 -10
307 Russia -8
38 45 Korea
Export
256
209 -7 Import
Canada 33
17 16 50 58 Balance
36 76 108
47
Candidates -8
EU: excluding intra EU Trade
China
EU 25 32 33 -31
Candidates: Bulgaria, Croatia,
USA 52 34
38 23 Japan Romania, Turkey
10 EFTA: Iceland, Switzerland
14 -1
15 89 Med. Countries: Algeria, Egypt,
11 India 71
Med. Countries Israel, Jordan, Morocco,
-4 EFTA Syrian Arab. Rep., Tunisia
Mexico 31 27
3 Latin America: including Caribbean
-18
ASEAN Mercosur: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
17 33 26 26
Other L. America ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
-15 Laos, Malaysia, Myanmarn,
Sub Saharan Africa Australia & Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
14 19 New Zealand
Vietnam
-6
Mercosur
For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/trade