EU Business Statement for Open Trade

The Confederation of European Business, BusinessEurope, of which the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic (SP ČR) is a member, issued a joint declaration with a coalition of 31 leading European business associations. We call for an ambitious and open trade policy to support the EU’s competitiveness and economic prosperity. In the joint declaration, we emphasize the importance of trade openness for economic growth, job creation, and enhancing resilience to global challenges.

Importance of Trade for the EU Economy

Trade remains a cornerstone of the EU’s economic strength, directly supporting one in five jobs in the EU via exports. Trade provides consumers with a broader range of products, as confirmed by 60% of Europeans according to a recently published barometer, and attracts foreign investments that drive growth and innovation. It also diversifies resources and strengthens the EU's ability to overcome crises through export strategies.

Key Points of the Declaration

1. Trade Openness: The coalition calls for the conclusion of new and renewal of existing trade agreements to improve market access and reduce technical trade barriers.
2. Trade Commissioner: It recommends the appointment of a dedicated Trade Commissioner to ensure focused leadership and strategic direction in this area.
3. Support for the WTO: The EU should continue to support the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the rules-based international system, which is crucial for ensuring a fair and predictable trade environment.
4. Trade Diplomacy: Increased cooperation with third-country partners and stronger trade diplomacy are essential to support an ambitious open trade policy.

Importance of These Measures

The coalition firmly believes that strengthening trade openness, appointing a Trade Commissioner, supporting the WTO, and enhancing cooperation and trade diplomacy are crucial for maintaining the EU’s global economic leadership and securing a prosperous future for its citizens. Opening new markets through trade agreements is therefore essential, as it reduces technical and other barriers to trade.

As the Confederation of Industry, we fully support this point, which we want to emphasize: We should be careful not to overload FTA negotiations with objectives unrelated to trade and at the same time we have to adapt our offers to the specific circumstances of trade partners – without compromising our market access goals. In this respect, we need more focus on the trade implications of EU policies and more direct involvement of the next Trade Commissioner in the design of policies with a potential trade impact, including autonomous measures focused on sustainability and other areas.

Open trade is essential for maintaining economic stability and growth in the EU. The coalition of European businesses therefore calls for the adoption of measures that will ensure continued prosperity and competitiveness of the EU in the global market.

Additional Information

• One in five jobs in the EU depends solely on EU exports to third countries, representing 38 million jobs, which is two-thirds more than in 2000 (EU trade statistics).
• Sharp increase in the percentage of the EU GDP represented by trade – from 25% in 2000 to 51% in 2022.
• 40% of the EU’s high-value and high-quality agri-food exports rely on imports of raw materials (e.g., for the production of chocolate or coffee) or feed items (e.g., for the production of meat or milk). Calculated based on available FAO data.