Trade for All: Commission publishes Trade Strategy

The European Commission has today outlined a new, more responsible international trade and investment strategy for the European Union, entitled ‘Trade for All: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy’. This strategy responds to new economic realities in line with the EU’s foreign policy. It includes measures to ensure that trade policy benefits as many people as possible, is more effective, transparent and in tune with EU values such as sustainable development, human rights, fair and ethical trade or the fight against corruption. On this occasion, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström commented: “We’ve listened to the debate, Europeans know that trade can deliver jobs, growth and investment for consumers, workers and small companies. And they want more of those results. But they don’t want to compromise on core principles like human rights, sustainable development around the world or high quality regulation and public services at home. And they want to know more about the negotiations we carry out in their name. So trade policy must become more effective, more transparent and more in tune with our values. In short, it must become more responsible. That’s what we’re doing today.” With this new strategy, the Commission builds on Europe’s excellent trade track record. This new approach is also a direct response to the current intense debate on trade in the EU is also an implementation of the Juncker Commission’s pledge to listen and respond to European public’s concerns. Follow Commissioner Malmström’s press conference on the new EU trade and investment strategy following today’s College meeting here. A full press release and detailed fact sheet is available online. The website of the new trade strategy is: ec.europa.eu/trade/strategy