Trade

The overarching goal of a Green trade policy is to ensure that trade achieves the maximum human well-being for the minimum use of energy and resources. This entails the redesign of the global trade system so that it does not undermine the regeneration of ecosystems, while ensuring the possibility of high-quality employment and environmental protection at home and abroad. Such systematic change must be firmly based on a foundation that respects the dignity and rights of all people, including with a clear gender perspective, and is not at the expense of other species with which we share the planet.

Trade

Our vision for trade policy

Read our paper 'Green trade for all'

Trade policy requires a rapid and radical rethink. Globalisation currently demands twice the resources that the planet can provide. We need a systematic transformation to ensure maximum human well-being with the minimum use of resources. Read our ideas and steps we can take right now, in our 'Green Trade for All' paper.

JEFTA imports old mistakes

EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement

The Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement (JEFTA) between the European Union and Japan does not represent a forward-looking and sustainable trade policy, which is why the Greens/EFA Group have voted against it in the European Parliament today.

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A step towards greater European sovereignty

International trade/Foreign investment screening

"At a time when European Member States increasingly rely on foreign investment in strategic sectors, it is essential for the EU to acquire information sharing and coordination tools to defend our economic and political sovereignty." Reinhard Bütikofer, Greens/EFA Member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee of the European Parliament, comments on the agreement on exchange of information.

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Ending corporate abuses: why Europe must support a UN Treaty

Towards a UN binding treaty on business and human rights

Globalisation heavily relies on the exploitation of workers in developing countries by Transnational Corporations. However, when these workers' human rights are abused, it is basically impossible for them to achieve proper redress. International pushes for the creation of a UN binding treaty on business and human rights seek to redress this profoundly unequal dynamic and end corporate impunity.

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EU-Japan Agreement

Preliminary Review on behalf of the Green/EFA Trade Working Group

The EU-Japan deal will be publicly presented as a symbol of an open, liberal trade regime, in contrast with the protectionist measures taking place in the US and elsewhere. The attack on the rules-based international trading system makes it all the more important for the EU to embed its’ values and live up to its commitments for sustainability and ecological responsibility in the agreements it signs. Based on the following analysis, we conclude that the EU-Japan agreement is another missed opportunity to fulfil this often-cited mantra.

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sunflower©ciprian-lipenschi — ©ciprian-lipenschi

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 1-5 October 2018

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included the rule of law in Romania, the CO2-regulation for cars and vans, the money laundering, the UN binding treaty on business and human rights, the Future of Europe debate with Prime Minister of Estonia

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Globalisation with Chinese characteristics

26.09.2018

Europe's response to China's silk road initiative?

How do we have to shape European trade and investment policies in the future in order for the EU to remain an attractive trade partner in the OBOR-region?

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Shipping containers stacked on a ship leaving San Francisco Bay — PD

An agreement that perpetuates mistakes

EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (JEFTA)

Tomorrow (17/07/2018), the EU and Japan will sign the biggest bilateral trade deal in history, covering almost one third of global GDP with implications for over 600 million people. Once ratified, JEFTA will be incredibly difficult to amend.

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23409.greening the streets — © Udo Weber

Green Trade for All

A Greens/EFA paper

Green trade policy needs to identify the first bold steps on the path to bring us closer to an ecological vision for trade. Such steps should be developed as much as possible at the multilateral level, including proposing the necessary changes to the existing rules of the world trade system as embodied in the WTO.

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European flag 530x390 — © Alexander Briel

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 28-31 May 2018

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included: Commission proposals on plastics, sustainable finance, sustainable fishing, Multiannual Financial Framework and cohesion policy, trade dispute on steel and aluminium tariffs, debate with Luxemburgish Prime Minister, posting of workers, reform of the CAP, objections to the authorisation of two GMOs

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