Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-1§26 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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1.26. The Europe 2020 Strategy is the EU's agenda for growth and jobs for the current decade. It emphasizes smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as a way to overcome the structural weaknesses in the economy, improve competitiveness and productivity, and underpin a sustainable social market economy. The final objective is to deliver high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion in the member States, while reducing the impact on the environment. The Commission set five targets under the strategy: (i) 75% employment level for people aged 20 64; (ii) 3% of GDP invested in research and development (R&D); (iii) greenhouse gas emissions 20% lower than 1990 levels, 20% of energy coming from renewables, and a 20% increase in energy efficiency; (iv) reduction of early school leavers to below 10%, and at least 40% of 30-34 year-olds having completed higher education; and (v) lifting at least 20 million people out of the risk of poverty and social exclusion. These targets were translated into national targets, as defined in the National Reform Programmes (NRPs). The NRPs represent the set of policies EU member States plan to implement to promote economic growth and job creation and prevent/correct imbalances.
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Keywords
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Energy
Environment
Green
Renewable
Sustainable
Climate
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-1§30 |
European Union |
2020 |
Sectors |
Other support measures |
Services |
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1.30. (...) Furthermore, efforts are ongoing in areas like services, as progress was made towards establishing a Digital Single Market, a Banking Union, a Capital Market Union, good quality infrastructure, broadband, energy, transport, and a circular economy, with a view to creating new opportunities for inclusive economic growth (Section 4). (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-1§32 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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1.32. Similarly, the European Commission's Annual Growth Survey 2019 calls for decisive and concerted policy action by the EU and its member States to deliver on the promise of inclusive and sustainable growth (...) It identifies the main risks and challenges facing the EU as follows:
(...)
• medium/long-term challenges: tapping the growth potential of digitization; the impacts of technological transformations on workers and specific sectors; the impacts of demographic changes and the role of migration; mitigation of and adaptation to climate change; and sustainable use of natural resources.
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Keywords
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Climate
Natural resources
Sustainable
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§9 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.9. In light of Opinion 2/15 of the Court, the Commission considers that the EU's exclusive competence to conclude international trade agreements covers the following matters:
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• trade and sustainable development in its entirety;
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§13 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.13. The first objective is to seal new trade partnerships to build progressive rules for global trade. EU trade policy aims to create new economic opportunities through a comprehensive negotiating agenda at various (bilateral and multilateral) levels. The EU is committed to strengthening its economic ties with future engines of growth in Asia and Latin America. This first objective also involves the use of trade policy to promote the universal values the EU adheres to, regarding environmental, consumer, social and labour protection and fundamental rights, as well as the express preservation of the right to regulate in the public interest. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§14 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.14. A noteworthy development relating to this first objective concerns gender aspects of international trade, (...) The potential effects of trade agreements on women were analysed in sustainability impact assessments and in several ex post assessments of EU trade agreements. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§15 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.15. The review period also saw increased interest in ways to improve the practical implementation and effectiveness of sustainable development provisions in EU FTAs. (...) While there were suggestions for the introduction of economic sanctions to enforce compliance with sustainable development provisions, this was opposed by most participants in the debate. (...) A non-paper, issued in February 2018 concluding this debate, set out an Action Plan of 15 concrete steps aimed at: (...) (ii) enabling civil society to play a more effective role in the implementation of sustainable development provisions, including by facilitating the monitoring role of civil society, allowing civil society to comment and provide advice not only on provisions of sustainable development chapters but, more generally, on other FTA provisions with implications for sustainable development, and reinforcing the implementation of provisions on corporate social responsibility; (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§21 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.21. The Commission carries out impact assessment analyses to support its decision-making for all proposals with significant direct impact, including in the trade policy area. (...) The assessment includes an online public consultation of interested parties. At the stage of negotiations, the Commission carries out trade sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) to analyse the economic, environmental, human rights and social impacts of the proposed trade agreements for both the EU and its trading partners. SIAs are independent studies conducted by external consultants, involving comprehensive consultations with stakeholders and taking into account their knowledge and concerns both in the EU and in the trading partner. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§30 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.30. The EU divides its FTAs with third countries into four broad categories:
(...)
• "new-generation FTAs" are comprehensive FTAs, negotiated by the EU after 2006, with selected third countries, which typically go beyond provisions on liberalization of trade in goods. (...) Since 2010, all new-generation agreements include provisions on sustainable development. [48] (...)
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[48] European Commission, Individual reports and info sheets on implementation of EU Free Trade Agreements, p. 15.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/395/REV.1 |
S-2§32 |
European Union |
2020 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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2.32. (...) The new-generation FTAs are characterized by their broad scope, high level of ambition, and innovative features in areas such as investment and sustainable development. Aside from the new economic opportunities expected to be generated by these recent FTAs, the EU stresses their strategic benefits. In a more uncertain and unstable international trading environment, it regards these FTAs as important signals of a shared commitment to open trade and a willingness to pursue international cooperation to shape global trade in accordance with common values.
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