Making a truly global Europe1 April 2007
Global Europe - competing in the world, is a communication from the European Commission.
Released last year, the communication contains the EU's new trade strategy.
Different to the WTO
In July 2006 the trade talks at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) went into cold storage.
But there are new, even more dangerous threats from unfair trade - this time being exclusively pursued by the EU, outside of the WTO.
Whether or not WTO talks are resumed, the European Commission is pushing its Global Europe vision for Europe's trade policy.
What will Global Europe do?
This strategy will seek to impose new, grossly unfair trade deals upon developing countries on behalf of European companies.
These deals, which include EPAs, will:
- Force competition between emerging industries in developing countries and powerful European companies.
- Expose poor farmers to heavily subsidised European agricultural products.
This will lead to:
- Small businesses being destroyed
- Millions of poor farmers driven of their land
- Regulations designed to protect the environment being weakened
The counter attack
The EU's aggressive approach is already leading to mobilisation and resistance to its new strategy.
Along with social movements around the world, Friends of the Earth is working to scrap the EU's new trade strategy.
We want real alternatives, such as food sovereignty, promoted instead.
Press for change
Time for food sovereignty
Tell the Government to act now to stop unfair trade deals.
Resources
Food Sovereignty leaflet
(PDF† 264K) Jan 2007
This leaflet explores the right of people to define their own food and agriculture policies.
Corporate conquest
(PDF† 147K) Sept 2006
Why the UK and its EU partners must stop forcing Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) upon developing countries.
© Friends of the Earth
