Blowin’ against the Wind: the Future of EU trade Policy

Abstract:

Throughout the 2016 US presidential race, it appeared that all candidates assumed that advocating free trade would not go far with U.S. voters. At present, in the EU too the wind seems to be blowing in a similar direction. There appears to be a widespread and growing anti-free-trade sentiment in some parts of the population.

Several slogans and arguments used in the campaign in favour of Brexit clearly witness this, and the recent experience of the EU with agreements such as the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement (AA), the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is another clear sign of this sentiment.

Against this recent background, doubts as to the future of EU trade policy seem legitimate. In particular, one may wonder: should the EU, at this moment in time, continue to pursue a free trade agenda? If so, does the EU have the means to do that effectively?

ESO: Background information: Europe's Trade Policy: Can a Phoenix Rise From the Ashes? http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-trade-policy-can-a-phoenix-rise-from-the-ashes/

ESO: Background information: Stopping CETA and TTIP will not stop globalisation http://www.europeansources.info/record/stopping-ceta-and-ttip-will-not-stop-globalisation/

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