38 Amendments of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2017/2070(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September2015, entitled ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’,
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)
Citation 4 b (new)
– having regard to the UNCTAD Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (2015),
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on human rights and social and environmental standards in international trade agreements1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31.
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on international trade policy in the context of climate change imperatives2a, __________________ 2a OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 94.
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 c (new)
Citation 9 c (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2016 on implementation of the 2010 recommendations of Parliament on social and environmental standards, human rights and corporate responsibility3a, __________________ 3a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0298.
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 d (new)
Citation 9 d (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 12 September 2017 on the impact of international trade and the EU’s trade policies on global value chains4a, __________________ 4a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0330.
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 e (new)
Citation 9 e (new)
– having regard to the Communication of the Commission "Promoting decent work for all - the EU contribution to the implementation of the decent work agenda in the world" published in May20065a __________________ 5aCOM(2006) 249 final, accompanied by SEC(2006) 643
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission staff working document of 14 July 2015 on Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – State of Play (SWD(2015)0144),
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 b (new)
Citation 12 b (new)
– having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), in particular Article 4(1) prohibiting slavery and servitude,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Common Commercial Policy comprises a body of trade agreements and legislative measures to safeguard the Union’s offensive and defensive trade interests, which should also contribute to sustainable growth and job creation, ensure that EU rules and standards are observed, safeguard states’ right to regulate and citizens’ well-being, and promote EU values; and whereas adherence to these aims requires that Union trade policy be implemented fully and effectivelypromote universal Human Rights as defined by the UN Declaration, and contribute to solve the problem of climate change; and whereas adherence to these aims require good orientation of the Union trade policy and efficient implementation;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Union is committed to policy coherence for development in its 2017 European Consensus on Development, seeking to bring about sustainable development and to accelerate transformation by placing an emphasis on cross-cutting elements of development policy such as gender equality, youth, investment and trade, sustainable energy and climate action, good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights, and migration and mobility, in order to contribute with the entirety of its external policies, including the Common Commercial Policy, to the goals defined in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the Union is committed to promoting Decent Work for All, as laid down in the 2005 United Nations World Summit Outcome and in the Ministerial Declaration of the United Nations Economic and Social Council High Level Segment 2006, including through its trade relations; whereas the European Council underlined repeatedly the importance of strengthening the social dimension of globalisation and of taking it into account in various internal and external policies and in international cooperation;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Union is the world’s, together with the US and China, is a leading commercial power in the world and its exports sustain 31 million jobs in Europe, 67% more than in the mid-1990s; whereas Germany stood for 25% of EU exports in 2016, with another 25% divided between France, Italy, and the Netherlands, while many other Member States are not yet benefitting much from the Union's Common Commercial Policy;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas wealth distribution and gains from international trade are increasingly uneven distributed among citizens of the Union, which has contributed to rising concerns whether the Union's Common Commercial Policy has been able to deliver for the citizens;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas according to the Oxfam report 2018, billionaire wealth has risen by an annual average of 13 percent since 2010 – six times faster than the wages of ordinary workers, which have risen by a yearly average of just 2 percent; whereas it takes just four days for a CEO from one of the top five global fashion brands to earn what a Bangladeshi garment worker will earn in her lifetime; whereas eighty two percent of the wealth generated in 2017 went to the richest one percent of the global population, while the 3.7 billion people who make up the poorest half of the world saw no increase in their wealth;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the implementation phase is of crucial and fundamental importance in ensuring that Union trade policy is effective, including the trade and sustainability chapters;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the world witnesses an increase of forced labour, and labour under slave-like conditions, in particular in Southeast Asia, and in Brazil, where more and more agricultural workers are compensated with food and shelter only for their labour; whereas the Union's citizens increasingly demand from the Union's trade policy to ensure that goods entering the EU market that have been produced under decent and sustainable conditions;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas European companies use the reductions in customs duty available under trade agreements for approximately 70% of the exports that could potentially benefit from them, whereas the corresponding take-up rate among our trade partners is up to 90%, and whereas it is essential that European companies should utilise these advantages to the full in order to boost employment, growth and investment;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas SMEs help to drive the European economy, accounting for 30% of the Union’s exports and 90% of employment in the Union, and it is essential that they be fully involved in the implementation of EU trade policy;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the questions raised in public debate about the Common Commercial Policy and the way it is implemented need to be answeredresponded to clearly and precisely; and whereas a consequent re-orientation towards fairness in trade relations would help to regain confidence among citizens and to avoid conflicts concerning various aspects of the Union's trade agreements;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the international context has changed profoundly since the Trade for All strategy was published and that new trade challenges and concrete tasks now need to be addressed; is concerned to see protectionist practices being pursued and reiterates its support for an open, fair, balanced and rules- based trade system; stresses that against this background, responses and regulatory approaches must be discussed and developed in a multilateral framework;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes note of the growing might of Asia and of the USA’s gradual withdrawal on the trade frontinfluence of the developing economies in Asian countries, as well as the growing demand from African and Latin American economies to have a fair share in the world economy, and of the USA’s unwillingness to arrange itself with a changing world in the given international fora, generating uncertainty for trade internationally; calls on the Commission to adapt its trade policy to address developments at international level and to be more responsive and responsible;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the growing importance of services, especially digital services, and of e-commerce in international trade, and underscores the need to strengthen the international rules governing these sectors so as to secure real benefits for consumers in Europe an consumers, improve Europeand third countries, as well as leading to fair competition rules, including ecologically and socially sustainable price building, for companies’ access to international markets and to safeguard the observance of fundamental rights throughout the world;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU will have consequences for internal and external trade in its current form and dimension; calls on the Commission to take immediate steps to anticipate the impact of Brexit on the Union’s trade policy and to present as soon as possible impact assessments for different options of the future trade relations, so as to ensure continuity in itsthe implementation of the Union's trade policy and relations with third countries, in particular regarding developing countries;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of Opinion 2/15 of the CJEU, of 16 May 2017, establishing that, apart from the question of portfolio investment and the arrangements for investor-state dispute settlement, the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore lies within the exclusive competence of the Union; asks the Commission to clarify at the earliest possible date its decision on the structure of free trade agreements in the future, taking account of the limits of EU exclusive competence set by the Court ruling; points out that Parliament must be involved and must be kept fully informed, in a timely manner, at all stages in the mandate giving, negotiation and implementation of trade agreements;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the failure to reach agreement at the WTO ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires; reiterates its support for the multilateral system and calls on the Union actively to advance proposals for updated, multilateral rules which must take into account new challenges emerging from global value chains; welcomes the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement; considers it regrettable that certain multilateral agreements are not being observed and calls on the Commission to work harder, within the WTO, on the effective implementation of multilateral rules and agreements;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned atTakes note of the stand-off in plurilateral negotiations on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and the Environmental Goods Agreement; asks the Undemands from the Commission to stake the initiative to get the negotiations moving againnd firm in the defence of the protection of data of EU citizens from trade interests of large corporations; asks the Commission to analyse mistakes in the setup of the framework of the negotiations, and to make a new approach to discuss services with all partners in the WTO;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that the free trade agreements with Canada and Ecuador have entered into force provisionally and that those with Singapore, Vietnam and Japan have been concluded since the Trade for All strategy was published;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that the agreements concluded and the Union’s ongoing and forthcoming bilateral negotiations represent opportunities for market access and the lifting of trade barriers; issues a reminder that priority must be given to the substance of the negotiations rather than their pace, that the aims of reciprocity and mutual benefit must be guiding threads, that EU rules and standards cannot be watered down, and that public services including services of general interest, as well as audiovisual services, must be excluded; deplores that all trade agreements concluded by the Union so far have let to the trade balance shifting in favour of the Union, and to the detriment of the respective partner;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Asks the Commission and Member States to update their negotiating mandates every five years to reflect the changing context and challenges, and to include review clauses in trade agreements to ensure that they are implemented as effectively as possible and that they are adaptable, provided such changes are authorized by the European Parliament;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the Commission has announced on more than one occasionUnion is negotiating an investment and market access agreement with the People’s Republic of China, recalls that the EU Commission has announced on more than one occasion, given the framework of the Union's One China Policy, to consider the launch of negotiations about investment with Hong Kong and Taiwan once the negotiations with PR China have been successfully concluded, and deems it regrettable that nothe precondition for such negotiations have not yet begunen created;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. WelcomNotes the publication by the Commission of its recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a Convention establishing a multilateral court for the settlement of investment disputes (MIC); emphasizes on its trust in the competence of European courts in judging on disputes with investors; highlights the importance to the European economy of internal and external investment adhering to a well- defined set of rights and obligations of investors, and the need to ensure that EU investors abroad are protected; asks the Commission to pursue its work on from arbitrary expropriation, as well as citizens and communes must be protected and be able to take legal action in case of crimes committed by investors; asks the Commission to seek further advice from academics and civil society organisations concerning the new system for ruling on investment disputes, which must be based, inter alia, on a guarantee of states’ right to regulate and on transparency;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that, in the implementation of Union trade policy, special attention needs to be paid to agricultural products and to the interests of European producers and consumers; emphasises that trade agreements, and notably the agreement with Japan, can open up new business horizons for the agrifood sector; highlights the importance of striking the right balance between protecting sensitive agricultural products and advancing the Union’s offensive interests in relation to agrifood exporEuropean agrifood processing sector; points out the necessity to carefully preserve farmers' livelihoods in Japan; highlights the importance of protecting sensitive agricultural products, with provision for, inter alia, transition periods and suitable quotas, and in certain cases for the exclusion of the most sensitive products; points out that it is essential to safeguard a robust system of health and plant-health rules while combating any form of discriminatory treatment in this area;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the multiple references to the principle of reciprocity in the report on implementation of the Union trade strategy when dealing with equal partners; reiterates that in such cases reciprocity must be a pillar of Union trade policy; emphasises the importance for the Union of having an international instrument on public procurement, and deplores the fact that the relevant proposal has been held up in the Councilrepeats its commitment to asymmetries in the Union's trade and economic relations with developing countries; takes the view that the Commission proposal on the monitoring of foreign investment could make for greater reciprocity in the area of access to marketsmakes sense only if it puts the focus on the quality of investments, including also social and environmental criteria;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for trade policy implementation to become an integral component of the Union’s trade strategy, including implementation of the provisions in trade and sustainability chapters; calls for the development of enforceable clauses preventing trade in goods originating from slave labour, and child labour;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Urges the Commission, in cases of dysfunction or hindrance or where a partner fails to observe a commitment, including in the TSD chapter, to make immediate use of the tools at its disposal, particularly through recourse to the disputes settlement procedure;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to invest more human and financial resources in improving the way that trade policy is implemented, and asks that a special trade policy implementation monitoring unit be set up within the Commission, reporting also the European Parliament;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36