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SNAPSHOT
Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Agreement EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement EU-India Free Trade Agreement EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement
New Commission
New Parliament
Given the fact that it is for the first time the EU is venturing to sign such an agreement with a large emerging economy (touching 1.7 billion people on both sides), the ratification could bring about a heated debate in the EP. In the face of the closing window of opportunity after a year of lost momentum, a proactive political leadership is needed more than ever. The recent resistance by India or China to an ambitious outcome on trade facilitation in Bali suggests that large emerging economies remain dilatory as regards FTAs.
The strong resonance of the data issue could thus be leveraged in the election campaigns, increasing the pressure on the Commission to negotiate hard with its US counterparts.
Conclusions
After the failure to conclude the Association Agreement with Ukraine, the EU is under a lot of pressure to make substantial progress with the negotiations mentioned above. Consequently, the negotiations will be under political spotlight in the run-up towards the elections. It will be essential to maintain an open and factual debate on the benefits and political sensitive aspects of the trade agreements in order to prevent sensationalist arguments dominating the debate.
Arne Koeppel
Head of Research
FTI Consulting
Avenue Marnix 23 1000 Brussels +32 2 289 0939 Arne.Koeppel@fticonsulting.com
Vladimr Beroun
Consultant
FTI Consulting
Avenue Marnix 23 1000 Brussels +32 2 289 0806 Vladimir.Beroun@fticonsulting.com