Since becoming Trade Commissioner the current Round of World Trade talks has dominated my agenda. We are not moving as far forward as anyone would like, but the contribution made by the EU to the talks has been enormous. Much of the work goes on in private between negotiating partners. Europe has a united position in these talks and this is a major achievement given the range of interests around the Council table. I have made dialogue and co-operation with Member States a key priority. I have defended Europe’s interests clearly: we want progressive opening of markets globally so that our goods can be traded around the world - at the same time we want others to have fair access to our markets. I have also been very focused on the needs of developing countries. I hope we will be successful and that the Round will bring great benefits globally in terms of growth and jobs.

It is important that the EU fully engaged in multi-lateral trade talks, because it is here that Europe can negotiate agreements which become set in stone with all trading partners around the world. I believe it is far more effective to have a global agreement than a series of bilateral agreements. I also vigorously uphold Europe’s interests under the trade rules.

Currently I am working on major Communications on:

a) A tough approach for defining a global and hard-headed strategy guaranteeing markets are effectively open and that rules of free trade are respected in a transparent way;

b) A reflections on an anti-dumping system adapted to globalization, that takes into account changes in production and trade;

c) A European strategy specific to China, that focuses on key areas such as an intellectual property, market access issues and investment opportunities.