European Commissioner for Trade

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The Commissioner for External Trade is the member of the European Commission responsible for the European Union's external trade policy. The portfolio is currently held by the Rt Hon. Peter Mandelson (PSE).

Due to the size of the European economy, being the world largest market and having a huge slice of world trade, this position can be very important in dealing with other world economic powers such as China or the United States. Former Commissioner Leon Brittan commented that “Frankly, it is more important than most [national] cabinet jobs”.^[1] The Commissioner leads Europe in organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

1 Current commissioner
2 List of commissioners
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Current commissioner

At his hearing at the European Parliament in 2004, Peter Mandelson expressed a desire to develop multi-lateral rule-based trade, benefiting the poor as well as helping general economic development. He has been noted for being a pro-European and an Atlantacist. He outlined these priorities at his hearing;^[2]

“

1) First and foremost, complete the Doha Round: to open markets for industrial goods, services and agriculture, including between developing countries. In the face of globalisation, the Round should make trade's rule book fair for all, integrate development goals into trade policies, and benefit the poor. The Hong Kong ministerial must make a critical advance.

2) ACP countries: I am deeply conscious of the structural adjustments that some of the poorest countries in the world face. We should conclude properly balanced Economic Partnership Agreements with the ACP group, a huge task and one of our most concrete potential contributions to development and tackling the needs of poorer countries.

3) The transatlantic agenda. We should find new ways to move forward by reducing the scope for conflict between our regulatory approaches and by forging closer cooperation. There is no more important partnership for the world's prosperity and security than that between Europe and America. We need to strengthen it further. We need dialogue between EU and US civil society, and I intend to be a good listener. I will do all I can to manage and resolve the inevitable disputes, so that they do not undermine the wider relationship.

4) EU-Mercosur: this is a major political and economic project which I hope Pascal will finish. If not, I will continue the work although it may take some time to get back on track since Mercosur has now presented an unacceptable offer. My preference will be for substance over speed as a general approach. The same applies to the negotiations with the GCC.

5) Russia and Ukraine: a successful conclusion to their WTO accession negotiations is vital to our new neighbourhood policy as an enlarged Union. I also want to pursue a positive and growth enhancing agenda with the North African and Mediterranean countries.

6) In Asia we have to make a reality of our hugely important 'strategic partnership' with China. Because of the huge and growing level of trade and investment in both directions, we need to secure full Chinese WTO implementation. I believe the Commission should now undertake a detailed analysis of the impact of China's economic rise on the international system - in particular the developing countries. Elsewhere, with South East Asia, ASEAN and India, the EU has an inadequate forward agenda. We must meet their desire for 'more Europe', both in their interest and certainly in ours.

”

Concluding WTO talks after the collapse of the Doha Round has been a contentious point, with the EU not willing to cut agricultural subsidies without similar action by the United States. Mandelson is due to meet with the other G4 countries of the WTO (the United States, Brazil and India) three times in 2007 before the next round of talks. ^[3]

In July 2007, he proposed the creation of European golden shares to protect certain European companies, such as EADS from foreign takeovers. The Commission has generally been against golden shares as they distort the Union's internal market, the idea is that EU golden shares would protect companies from outside influence but not other European companies.^[4]

The Commissioner's head of cabinet is Simon Fraser, his deputy head is Denis Redonnet and the spokesperson is Peter Power. Mandelson has already stated that he does not intend to seek another term in the Commission after 2009. ^[5]