2013年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_The_EU_4页_75kb

EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Summary

Core Content

The EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a significant trade initiative that aims to liberalise agricultural trade and enhance political and economic cooperation between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The agreement has been influenced by the broader context of WTO negotiations, particularly the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), and by a potential shift in EU trade policy towards bilateral agreements.

Main Points

• Trade Imbalance: The EU has a negative trade balance with Mercosur in agricultural products, with imports accounting for 16% of EU agricultural imports and exports only 1.7%.
• Key Agricultural Exports: The EU's agricultural exports to Mercosur are dominated by three politically sensitive product groups: beef, sugar, and cereals.
• Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs): These are central to the trade liberalisation process, with the expectation of expanding existing TRQs for sensitive products.
• Mercosur's Exports: Mercosur's exports to the EU are concentrated on a few products, notably soya and its derivatives, oilseeds, coffee, and meat.
• EU's Position: The EU seeks to address agricultural trade issues while considering rural policy, animal welfare, and environmental concerns. It aims to promote regulatory convergence and align Mercosur's sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures with EU standards.
• WTO vs. Bilateral Agreements: The Doha Round negotiations have stalled, prompting a renewed focus on bilateral agreements. The EU is likely to re-engage in regional trade agreements, especially with Mercosur, to advance trade liberalisation.
• Political Context: The Mercosur countries have resisted the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which they see as favoring developed nations at the expense of developing ones. This reflects a broader resistance to the current free trade model.
• EU's Approach: Unlike the US, the EU's regional trade agreements are seen as more balanced, incorporating social and environmental provisions. However, the effectiveness of these agreements depends on the level of liberalisation achieved and the willingness of Mercosur to accept it.

Key Information

• Negotiation Timeline: Concrete negotiations began in June 2000, with initial goals focused on reducing non-tariff trade barriers.
• EU Trade Commissioner: Peter Mandelson has played a key role in the EU's renewed interest in regional trade agreements.
• Potential Impact: Trade liberalisation with Mercosur could significantly affect EU agricultural markets, especially for products like sugar and soya.
• Environmental and Health Measures: The EU seeks to align Mercosur's standards with its own, particularly in areas of food safety and animal welfare.
• Financial and Institutional Support: The EU has funded various projects to bring Mercosur countries in line with its standards, indicating a commitment to mutual cooperation.

Conclusion

The EU-Mercosur FTA represents a strategic move to enhance trade relations and agricultural cooperation in a context where multilateral negotiations have stalled. While the agreement holds potential for significant trade liberalisation, it also involves complex political and economic considerations, particularly regarding the balance between trade access and regulatory alignment. The EU's emphasis on environmental, health, and social standards in its trade agreements differentiates it from other regional approaches and may influence the outcome and acceptance of the FTA.

About CEPS

• Founded: 1983
• Mission: To produce sound policy research leading to constructive solutions for Europe's challenges.
• Funding Sources: Membership fees, contributions from official institutions, foundation grants, project research, conferences, and publications.
• Goals:
  • Academic excellence and independence.
  • Forum for discussion among stakeholders.
  • Collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and businesses.
  • Dissemination of findings through publications and public events.

Research Programmes

CEPS operates under two major research headings:

Economic Policy

• Macroeconomic Policy
• European Network of Economic Policy (ENEPRI)
• Financial Markets, Company Law & Taxation
• European Credit Research Institute (ECRI)
• Trade Developments & Policy
• Energy, Environment & Climate Change
• Agricultural Policy

Politics, Institutions and Security

• The Future of Europe
• Justice and Home Affairs
• The Wider Europe
• South-East Europe
• Caucasus & Black Sea
• EU-Russian/Ukraine Relations
• Mediterranean & Middle East
• CEPS-IISS European Security Forum

CEPS also organises a variety of policy-related activities, including task forces, meetings, briefings, conferences, and seminars, to engage with stakeholders and disseminate its research findings.