EU foreign investment disunity could fuel populism

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Treaty ◽  
Successful Resolution ◽  
Economic Relationship ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Eu

Significance For Germany and France, an important component of this is the treatment of foreign direct investment (FDI). However, prospects for an EU-wide response appear to divide the bloc, with many countries rejecting the principle of regulation by the European Commission. Impacts A Commission proposal on investment scrutiny will test the limits of Chinese influence and EU unity. If any move on investment scrutiny is seen as singling out China, it could undermine the country’s economic relationship with the EU. This could stall progress on a bilateral investment treaty and any free trade agreement that might follow. Successful resolution of EU-Chinese tensions could open up a more coherent and reciprocal approach to FDI scrutiny and control.

OPINION 2/15 OF THE CJEU: DELINEATING THE SCOPE OF THE NEW EU COMPETENCE IN FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-32
Author(s):  
Rumiana Yotova
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
The Eu

ON 16 May 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its Opinion 2/15 concerning the competence of the EU to conclude the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore (EUSFTA) (ECLI:EU:C:2017:376). The Opinion was requested by the Commission which argued, with the support of the European Parliament (EP), that the EU had exclusive competence to conclude the EUSFTA. The Council and 25 of the Member States countered that the EUSFTA should be concluded as a mixed agreement – that is, by the EU and each of its members – because some of its provisions fell under the shared competence of the organisation or the competence of the Member States alone.

Australian push on India ties likely, but with hurdles

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Diplomatic Relationship ◽  
Business Structure

Subject Australian policy thinking on India. Significance A blueprint submitted to the Australian government in April, titled 'An India Economic Strategy to 2035', calls for increased export shipments and investment in India through to 2035 and a closer strategic and diplomatic relationship. Impacts Economic relations will evolve slowly, as India is still developing a business structure attractive to foreign investment. Talks on a free trade agreement are unlikely to progress until India agrees to lower market barriers, especially high tariffs. India’s 700,000-strong diaspora in Australia will play a long-term role in connecting markets in the two countries.

EU-UK FTA leaves open the prospect of future conflict

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Flows ◽  
Member States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Eu

Significance The agreement offers zero quotas and tariffs on most goods, but there is little coverage on services while trade flows face disruption from significant non-tariff barriers. Impacts The deal will make it slightly easier to reach a UK-US free trade agreement, though strong divisions remain. The strict conditionality associated with the FTA suggests Euroscepticism will remain an important feature of UK politics. The process and costs associated with Brexit makes it less likely that Eurosceptic member states will attempt to leave the EU.

Southern Europe will pursue close relations with China

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Investment ◽  
International Mergers ◽  
Economic Ties ◽  
Southern European Countries ◽  
The Eu

Significance The document marks a sharpening in the EU’s position towards China. In the paper, the EU puts forward ten points designed to balance EU-China relations, including greater protection of European industries from Chinese investment. Southern European countries will treat the paper with caution as they look to preserve strong economic ties with China. Impacts The EU and United States will find more common ground on their policies towards China once President Donald Trump has left office. European governments will become more interventionist on international mergers of ‘national champion’ firms. UK crackdown on Chinese technology will inhibit prospects of a future UK-China free trade agreement.

ASEAN-EU free trade pact will take time to materialise

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Air Transport ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Two Sides ◽  
The Eu

Significance The two sides have long been dialogue partners. They are widely expected to step up negotiations over an inter-regional free trade agreement (FTA). Impacts ASEAN and the EU will collaborate more over COVID-19 recovery efforts, including development and supply of vaccines. The two sides will expedite talks on an air transport agreement to boost connectivity. Non-traditional security issues such as climate change will be key areas of focus in bilateral consultations.

Philippines-UK defence and trade ties will grow

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
South China ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Asia Pacific Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Eu

Significance The country's vote to leave the EU has added momentum to a realignment of UK economic and foreign policy towards the Asia-Pacific region underway for some years. Parliamentarian Richard Graham, a prime ministerial trade envoy, visited Manila in late August to explore the prospects for closer ties, including a Philippines-UK free trade agreement (FTA). Impacts China will tolerate greater Philippine-UK engagement if London stays out of South China Sea disputes. If controversy over Duterte's crime crackdown grows, May might face domestic political pressures to keep Manila at arm's length for now. Duterte's abrasive political style may deter fresh investment pledges. Closer defence ties with Manila would aid improvements in the United Kingdom's ties with ASEAN and its other members.

EU scrutiny of Chinese investment will increase

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
European Council ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Investment ◽  
Exchange Of Information ◽  
European Parliament Elections ◽  
The Eu

Subject Investment screening in the EU. Significance The European Council is likely to vote in the autumn on a Commission proposal to introduce a foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanism in the EU. Although member states are divided on this issue, legislation is expected to be adopted by the end of the year. Impacts The proposed mechanism could complicate EU-China relations. It would enable more coordination and exchange of information on national foreign investment decisions. If the mechanism is not adopted by the end of the year, it could be significantly delayed due to the May 2019 European Parliament elections.

Economic woe presents greatest risk to Thai government

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Military Coup ◽  
Direct Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thai Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Eu

Subject Problems facing the Thai government. Significance Thailand’s government, led by a party with ties to the junta that ruled until July, is facing political and economic headwinds as it tries to establish civilian rule. The king is consolidating his authority, political opponents are pushing back on the ruling coalition and exports are weakening, raising quandaries for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Impacts A worsening trade outlook will prompt the government to step up efforts to secure a free trade agreement with the EU. Thailand and the United States will take time to strengthen bilateral ties, nominally mended when Prayut visited Washington in 2017. The army units under the king’s direct control could provide cover for rival factions to Prayut’s in the event of another military coup.

Trump trade threats pose many challenges for Mexico

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Percentage Points

Significance The statement is the latest in a string of similar announcements by companies fearful of obstacles to free trade being put in place between Mexico and the United States. Trump has consistently engaged in protectionist, anti-Mexican rhetoric, pressuring US firms to abandon planned investments in Mexico, demanding a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and threatening to impose a 20% border tax or selective tariffs on Mexican exports. Impacts Mexico will see diminished foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2017 due to uncertainty over the future of NAFTA. A moderate-sized hit to Mexican exports could knock around 0.5 percentage points off growth, possibly contributing to a recession. In the medium term, China could take advantage of worsening US-Mexico relations to deepen economic and political ties with Mexico.

2016 promises fillip to India-Europe ties

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Generic Drugs ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Economic Cooperation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Eu

Subject India-Europe ties. Significance Negotiations between India and the EU for a free-trade agreement (FTA) are to recommence in January. These talks began in 2007 and have been paused many times -- most recently in August 2015, over the EU's banning of 700 Indian generic drugs. Impacts India's rivalry with Pakistan is the greatest impediment to South Asian economic cooperation. European partners risk alienating voters by appearing soft on immigration. India will not allow its European links to erode other key alliances, especially its defence ties with Russia.

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