10th August 2020 |
Closed Consultations
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation would like to bring our stakeholders attention to details of the European Commission Trade Policy Review currently under way.
Objectives
The two key objectives driving this process, are firstly, to assess how trade policy can contribute to a swift and sustainable socio-economic recovery by reinforcing competitiveness in the post-Covid 19 environment, addressing the challenges the EU will face, and helping to promote our values and standards. Secondly, to see how trade policy can help build a stronger EU based on a model of “Open Strategic Autonomy” ̶ reaping the benefits of openness for our businesses, workers and consumers, while protecting them from unfair practices and building up our resilience to be better equipped for future challenges.
Review process
The trade policy review process will be based on broad consultations with stakeholders, including through public debates undertaken across the EU Member States, seeking input from industry, civil society and other stakeholders through written submissions. A virtual stakeholder event organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland took place on 23 July with a range of Irish stakeholders from various backgrounds attending.
Consultation Note
As part of this process the European Commission has developed a Consultation Note setting out the context to this review and additionally posing a number of questions (13 in total) to assist stakeholders in framing their written submissions: trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2020/june/tradoc_158779.pdf
Submissions
The European Commission is inviting stakeholders to provide their responses to the questions set out in the consultation note up to 15 September 2020 to mailbox: trade-policy-review-2020@ec.europa.eu. In order to fully take account of their views in developing and shaping Ireland’s engagement with the European Commission moving forward on this important review, the Department would encourage stakeholders to copy their submissions to trade@dbei.gov.ie by 8 September 2020. It is intended that the results of this consultation will feed into a communication to be published by the European Commission towards the end of the year.
Further details
Further details of the Commission’s launch of the review can be found here: European Commission kicks off major EU trade policy review
Published by
EU Affairs, Trade Policy and Licensing
Topics:
Trade Policy