EU Trade Commissioner Insists Poor Countries Will Benefit from New Agreements

European Union trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, has pledged to continuously review the impact of proposed new trade agreements on poverty and growth in poor countries. This assurance comes in the face of skepticism from development campaigners, who claim a gap exists between Mandelson's words and the Commission's proposals. The agreements, which will replace special trade deals for African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) regions, are set to liberalize investment, government procurement, and competition policy in return for access to EU markets.

Key Takeaways:

• Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, has committed to reviewing the impact of proposed new trade agreements on poverty and growth in poor countries.
• Development campaigners have expressed skepticism about the Commission's proposals, arguing they do not align with Mandelson's statements.
• The proposed agreements will require poor countries to liberalize investment, government procurement, and competition policy in exchange for access to EU markets.
• The Commission has removed the "Singapore issues" (investment and competition rules) from multilateral negotiations under the World Trade Organization at the request of developing countries.
• Commission officials claim that poor countries want agreements on investment and competition to facilitate regional trade.
• Negotiations with ACP countries are still in an early stage, and the EU is prepared to be flexible in the talks.
• The proposed agreements have been met with criticism from development charities, including Cafod, which argue that the EU's stance does not accurately reflect Mandelson's statements.

Statistics:

• The proposed agreements will replace special trade deals currently enjoyed by poor countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) regions.
• The agreements will cover investment, government procurement, and competition policy in return for access to EU markets.
• The Commission has removed the "Singapore issues" from multilateral negotiations under the World Trade Organization at the request of developing countries.

Sources:

• Hidden source - ALAN BEATTIE