Trade

The EU's trade policy aims to increase the 'competitiveness' of European companies – by guaranteeing them access to raw materials through often secretive free trade deals and by making sure that regulations do not stand in their way. CEO is challenging this craze for so-called competitiveness, which we believe in reality advances the interests of corporate Europe at the expense of social and environmental justice.

Press Conference - EU-India Trade Talks

28.09.2010

Asia Europe People's Forum, Belgian Platform for Action on Health and Solidarity, Corporate Europe Observatory, India FDI Watch, Programme on Women's Economic Social and Cultural Rights, WIDE network

Tuesday 5 October 2010, 10-11 am
Residence Palace – International Press Centre (Room Salon, ground floor)
Rue de la Loi 155 – Bloc C – 1040 Brussels

No business bias – are you joking?

14.09.2010

Two weeks ago, Corporate Europe Observatory and India FDI Watch published a report that revealed how the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and India had been hijacked by business interests. The EU Commission has responded to the report by rejecting the allegations, claiming that there was no business bias in the trade talks.

Corporate Lobby hijacks EU-India talks

01.09.2010

Business Agenda Threatens Livelihoods of Millions

Brussels / Delhi: The livelihoods of millions of small farmers, street traders and patients are at risk under the terms of a new trade deal being negotiated by the EU and India which has been hijacked by big business, a new joint report from Corporate Europe Observatory and India FDI Watch reveals [1].

EU-India Trade Invaders - How big business is driving the EU-India free trade negotiations

01.09.2010

A new joint report from Corporate Europe Observatory and India FDI Watch reveals how, in the negotiations for a trade deal between the EU and India, the EU Commission and the Indian government have handed the agenda over to corporate lobby groups. This big-business-first agenda will put at risk the livelihoods of millions of small farmers, street traders and patients. The report shows how negotiators on both sides have entered into a symbiotic working relationship with big corporations and their lobby groups.

Is this what development looks like?

22.03.2010

EU 'DoG' savages poor, say protesters

18.03.2010

Aggressive free market approach disastrous for development, demo warns

Brussels:
Campaigners warned today that the European Union’s free market trade policies are savaging poor people and the environment in
developing countries staging an action outside a DG Trade conference in Brussels where senior EU figures were discussing the issue of trade with developing countries [1].

De Gucht on shaky ground

13.01.2010

Caroline Lucas MEP (Greens, UK) challenged the Trade Commissioner designate Karel de Gucht on the issue of corporate influence over EU trade policy when he appeared before the European Parliament hearing yesterday (12 January 2010).

A question to Karel de Gucht

08.01.2010

In his written response to questions from MEPs, Commissioner-designate for trade, Karel de Gucht, pledged “independence” and “to counter third-party interests where these have undue influence”. He also said he would “listen and to seek the opinion of the widest range of stakeholders and experts”.

Will DG Trade finally get a commissioner that puts an end to the department's habit of granting big business privileged access and undue influence over its policies?

Whatever happened to... F.H. Wenig

15.09.2009

No apologies for serving business

05.08.2009

During one of DG Trade's recent meetings with civil society, I raised CEO's concerns about the privileged access given to big business interests by the Commission when developing trade policy. The reply from Director General, David O'Sullivan, was surprisingly frank.

Ombudsman complaint against DG Trade

19.05.2009

BRUSSELS – Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has today filed a complaint with the European Ombudsman, accusing the European Commission’s Directorate General for Trade of discriminating in favour of corporate lobby groups and of attempting to obscure evidence of its close relationship with business from public scrutiny.

Open Letter: end secretive info policy

14.05.2009

PRESS RELEASE