Putting future trade to work – sustainability, values, competition

Trade deals have long been the primary arm of European diplomatic overtures. But much has changed in the time that has elapsed between Jean-Claude Juncker’s trade-centred administration and Ursula von der Leyen’s ‘geopolitical Commission’. Waves of protests across Europe, along with the Green surge in the European Parliament, have forced climate change onto nearly every agenda. Workers’ rights too, have increasingly been a point of contention, as has the desire of many European leaders to move production processes closer to home post-pandemic.

International development, often linked to trade, has long been recognised as an arena for cooperation and foreign intervention. But the 21st century has highlighted the need for local agency. Pandemic recovery policies and vaccine diplomacy are valuable examples of how small states can come together to support each other. They further show how collaboration is not only necessary for the collective, but also leads to greater gain for the individual than pure trade competition.

This ‘What the Chief Says’ discussion will look at best practices that highlight how trade, development and diplomacy have evolved in the last decade, and the necessary steps that need to be taken by both small- and medium-sized countries and the EU as a bloc.

• Is values-based trading possible for Europe?
• How can Europe use its market power to help the sustainable development agenda?
• Is free trade incompatible with climate change mitigation policy?
• Can trade deals be used to improve global labour conditions?