This new market access strategy comes at an important time; when large new trade partners are emerging and the nature of trade barriers altering. Modern trade barriers are more likely to be non-tariff and behind-the-border regulatory issues – harder to identify and often complex to address. A more concerted effort is needed in order for EU businesses – large and small - to compete effectively in global markets.
The newly-proposed Market Access Partnership will aim to benefit the interests of both larger and smaller EU businesses and Member States. Key elements of the new strategy include:
- Closer and more action-oriented cooperation between the European Commission, Member States and business, including the establishment of EU Market Access Teams on the ground in countries outside the EU, both to identify trade barriers before they appear and tackle existing obstacles to trade.
- Better prioritisation of resources, focusing on certain target markets, key sectors or issues such as intellectual property rights.
- Better use of opportunities presented by negotiations – in particular in the Doha Round and the new generation of EU Free Trade Agreements -to make progress on non-tariff barriers.
- Tougher focus on the enforcement of global and bilateral trade rules – through institutional dispute settlement and Europe's trade barrier instruments.
- A more efficient and transparent service to business, including more systematic registration and follow-up of cases and an improved Market Access Database.
