Reshaping the EU Trade Policy

International trade is key to our economy. European companies need to access more markets worldwide where there is demand for our products and services. The Doha round has not succeeded in creating a multilateral trading system and so bilateral and plurilateral negotiations are ongoing between countries and regions. Europe needs to be a part of this development. International trade raises the living standard by creating better paid jobs and offering more choice to consumers. It is in this context that the Commission is presenting its new European Trade Strategy.

ALDE would like to contribute constructively to developing this new strategy by listening to what companies, in particular SMEs, need and expect from such a strategy. Furthermore, it is important to hear how representatives working on national trade promotion see their role in this strategy and how it can benefit the Member States. The ALDE Group is therefore organising the hearing "Reshaping the EU trade policy – new markets and challenges" focusing on these two areas, with Liberal Commissioner Malmström as the keynote speaker.