European sustainability targets must not adversely affect trade agreements

Geert Bourgeois, N-VA delegation leader in the European Parliament and coordinator in the Committee on International Trade, welcomes the review of the European Commission’s Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) policy, but warns that new sustainability targets must not undermine EU trade agreements.

International trade can benefit prosperity and sustainability between trading partners. Trade agreements are primarily intended to stimulate trade and create jobs. They are also a lever for human rights, working conditions and sustainability for the EU. It is therefore important that the sustainability targets are aligned with the partner country in question.

No “gold standard”

“There is no ‘gold standard’ for sustainability targets that can be applied in every possible agreement. Agreements must be tailored to the specific challenges of each partner country. For example, the targets we set for New Zealand cannot be the same as those for less developed countries,” says Geert Bourgeois.

Sanctions only as an ultimate remedy

Dialogue and possibly mediation must always take precedence. Such trade agreements always concern partners with whom we have to discuss problems on the basis of equality. Sanctions can only be used as the ultimate remedy.

Geert Bourgeois: “Instead of relying on punitive measures, the EU must first focus more on the potential and positive effects of trade agreements on our prosperity and our open strategic autonomy.”