Activities of Reinhard BÜTIKOFER related to 2021/2200(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment
Amendments (36)
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas EU action in the Indo- Pacific is based on a long-term plan to work with partners to fight, mitigate and adapt to climate change and to counter biodiversity loss, pollution and in particular the plastics pollution of the oceans, and other forms of environmental degradation; whereas this shall be achieved by tackling the drivers of these phenomena and by moving to a more circular economy; whereas trade and investment policy between the EU and the Indo Pacific region should align with these goals;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas several Indo-Pacific countries benefit from EU tariff preferences under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), facilitating access to EU markets and the least developed countries in the region benefit from the duty-free, quota-free Everything But Arms arrangement; whereas Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka are beneficiaries of the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+). Whereas these instruments have contributed to the economic development of these countries, their respect for human and labour rights, the protection of the environment and improvements in good governance;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated a number of geopolitical trends that were already under way; whereas it also highlighted the need for international cooperation; whereas it has also and the importance of giving global health policy cooperation priority over impeding economic interests; whereas it has also shown the lack of resilience of our economies and has shown vulnerabilities in the global supply chains and has made clear the need for more diversification;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which identifies trade as a priorityn important dimension in the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive prosperity and for a just, green and digital transition; believes its main focus on inclusiveness, sustainability and cooperation is essential; calls for the EU’s strategic approach and engagement with the Indo-Pacific region to be developed based on the multilateral, rules-based international order withincluding a modernised World Trade Organization at its core, based on the principles of open and fair environment for trade and investment in alignment with European values and the Paris Agreement, a level playing field, reciprocity and mutual benefit; stresses that this new approach should constitute a fundamental reorientation based on shared interests aswith like-minded countries in the region iswhich are vital to EU prosperity; underlines the need to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific for all and to preserve free and open maritime supply routes in full compliance with international law, in particular UNCLOS, and the principle of freedom of navigation;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to work closely with its Indo-Pacific like-minded partners to reinforce value chains by strengthening andresilience, sustainability and circularity of our economies and by diversifying trade relations in order to reduce strategic dependencies in critical supply chains with a particular focus on fostering green technologies and raw materialsesponsible resources extraction, by working towards the full implementation and better enforcement of existing trade agreements, by finalising aiming to achieve greater progress in ongoing trade negotiations and by developing cooperation in strategic sectors; underlines the importance of working together with like-minded Indo- Pacific countries on establishing technicindustrial standards, to further promote the EU as a global standard-setter;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the EU Indo-Pacific strategy’s ambition to tackle decent work deficits and violations of fundamental labour rights; to address global challenges such as deforestation, plastics pollution in oceans and biodiversity loss; underlines the need to make supply chains more sustainable, responsible and resilient, in particular regarding critical raw materials; recalls the EU’s commitment to a values-based trade and investment policy; stresses that EU-Indo Pacific trade and investment relations must be anchored in the EU’s commitment to defend and respect human rights, including women’s rights and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, as well as EU’s commitment to respect ILO standards, with a view to eliminating child labour and forced labour in global supply chains;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Recalls EU commitment to enforce women's and human rights, and to monitor the gender impact of its trade preferences. Reiterates its support to gender mainstreaming in trade policy and calls for effective measures to combat the exploitation of women in export-oriented industries;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the EU should make better and more strategic use of its economic leverage while respecting the political and economic specificitieinterests of its partner countries in order to reach its geopolitical and transformational goals, by deploying its full, integrated range of policy instruments for this purpose;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls for a swift implementation of the recently adopted EU Global Gateway Strategy in coordination with the Indo- Pacific strategy in order to boost sustainable connectivity in and with the Indo-Pacific Region; welcomes, in this context, the progress which has been made in the connectivity partnerships with Japan and India; advocates the establishment of a connectivity partnership with ASEAN in order to link with ASEAN’s existing master plan on connectivity; seeks increased collaboration with other regional partners such as Australia and the Republic of Korea; emphasizes the need to link the Global Gateway Strategy to other initiatives for trusted connectivity such as Build Back Better World and the Blue Dot Network, and to also foster cooperation on high-quality infrastructure with the QUAD;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Emphasizes the need to revive the initiative for a region-to-region FTA between the EU and ASEAN, which upholds and is built on the principles of sustainable development; calls for a new strategic approach towards the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as an element of the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy, including studying the option of joining CPTPP in the future;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Existing FTAs and IPAs in force: enforcement, implementation and upgrading:
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the substantial growth in bilateral trade between the EU and South Korea since the FTA entered into force in 2011; is pleased with the recent steps taken by South Korea in respect of the ratification and implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No 29, No 87 and No 98 following the TSD panel of experts report; awaits tangible implementation of the ratifications; recalls that the panel calls for explicit targets and milestones in order to ensure the enforceability of the TSD chapter; showing the need to move from `best endeavour´ efforts to time-bound results-based efforts; calls on South Korea to take the necessary steps to ratify the outstanding ILO Convention No 105; supports further cooperation between the EU and South Korea on semiconductors; warns against any backsliding of women's rights after the presidential elections, bearing in mind the EU Gender Action Plan III;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the remaining EU Member States to proceed with the internal ratification ofNotes that 12 out of 27 EU Member States have ratified the EU- Singapore IPA, signed in October 2018, in particular given the importance of; highlights that despite the lack of an IPA in force, Singapore ais the EU’s largest FDI destination in Asia, with EU FDI stocks in Singapore amounting to EUR 256 billion at the end of 2020; calls on Singapore to make increased efforts towards ratifying and implementing the fundamental ILO conventions;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has been instrumental in increatsing more sustainable tradetrade flows; emphasizes the need to green the trading relationship and welcomes in this context the conclusion of the 2021 EU-Japan Green Alliance and the shared objective to achieve climate neutrality by 2050; welcomes the increase in the preference utilisation rates for EU exports to Japan in 2020; underlines that further progress is neewas maded in the implementation of the agreement, in particular as regards theexpansion of the list for GI protection for both parties, utilisation rates of tariff rate quotas opened by Japan for EU exporters, and the liberalisation of traprocess for ratification of ILO Convention No.105 by Japan; while further progress is needed in services andthe implementation of the agreement including the ratification of ILO Conventions No. 105 and No 11111; reiterates its call for an early review of the TSD chapter in order to strengthen its enforcement provisions, including sanctions as last resort;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Call on theNotes that 11 Member States tohave ratifyied the EU-Vietnam IPA sto that it enters into force and creates favourable conddate; joins EEAS call on the Vietnamese authoritiones to boost EU investment in Vietnam and in the region, in particular in areas promoting green transformatrelease all human rights defenders arbitrarily detained and to guarantee the right to a fair trial for all individuals; reiterates that a revision andof the circular economy; urges Vietnam to guarantee a full implementation of the sanitary and phytosanitary provisCriminal Code of Vietnam is a preliminary requirement to ensure the effective implementation of ILO core Conventions; invites Vietnam to complete its key labour reforms in accordance with the agreement and to swiftly ensure the ratification of ILO Convention No 87 by 2023; urges Vietnam to guarantee a full implementation of the sanitary and phytosanitary provisions;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Stresses that ratifying pending EU investment agreements will replace old Bilateral Investment treaties for some Member States, but will also bind a significant number of Member States that do not have an existing Bilateral Investment Treaty with the partner countries, therefore increasing the risk of investment cases against EU Member States; calls on the Commission to upgrade its investment protection model adopted in 2015 in order to guarantee full compatibility with the European Green Deal objectives and to incentivise and protect sustainable investments, without relying on investor-state adjudication;
Amendment 101 #
8. Calls for stronger sustainability provisions in FTAs and IPAs as a result of the ongoing 15 Point Action Plan review on TSD chapters; expects the Commission to update the existing agreements in the region once the review will be completed; Calls for continuing actions oriented at raising awareness among businesses and citizens of existing FTAs in the region and the opportunities they provide; calls for strengthened technical and financial support where necessary to help partner countries to effectively implement FTAs, in particular the chapters on TSD;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for substantive progress and the conclusion of negotiations on the EU- Australia and EU- New Zealand FTAs by no later than mid 2022 in order for the European Parliament to be able to duly ratify these agreements in the current parliamentary mandate, reflecting the ambition for these deals to become golden standard agreements in terms of climate commitments, and incorporating the outcome of the upcoming TSD review;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the decision to resume negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement with India and supports, as an intermediate and positive step, the conclusion of a stand-alone IPA and possibly of an agreement on geographical indicationto launch negotiations for a separate IPA and for an agreement on geographical indications; stresses that these agreements should be built on transversal sustainability requirements and be aligned with the Paris Agreement commitments; welcomes the establishment of permanent structures such as high-level dialogues in several sectors;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the need for the EU to pursue its multifaceted engagement with China, especially in this geopolitically challenging global context; stresses that it is important to continue engaging bilaterally to promote solutions to common challenges and to cooperate on issuHighlights that China is a cooperation and negotiating partner for the EU, but is also a competitor in an increasing number of areas, and a systemic rival; reiterates, as underlined in its resolution of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy, its call for the EU to develop amore assertive, comprehensive and coherent EU-China strategy that unites all Member States and shapes relations with an increasingly assertive and interventionist China in the interest of the EU as a whole; emphasises that this strategy should promote a rules-based multilateral order, have the defence of EU values and interests at its core and should be based on the three principles of cooperating where possible, competing where needed, and confronting where necessary; calls for greater cooperation between democratic countries to address the growing assertiveness and repressiveness of common interestthe Chinese Communist Party (CCP);
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. AcknowledgUnderlines that the discussions on the ratification of the Comprehensive Investment Agreement between the EU and China have been put on hold in the European Parliament for the moment; believes, however, that despite our differences we should continue to maintain dialogue at all levels and through various channels to be able to understand each others positions and in particular to find a way out of the present situationconsideration and ratification process for the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) cannot start until the Chinese sanctions against MEPs and EU institutions have been lifted;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the EU to launch a structured dialogue with Taiwan on cooperating in green technology and digital economy, including the semiconductor industry, with a view to signing a memorandum of understanding that benefits both the EU and Taiwan; repeats that the Commission should begin an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan in preparation for negotiations to deepen bilateral economic ties; also calls upon Commission to look into the option of negotiating a Resilient Supply Chain Agreement with Taiwan; underlines that Taiwan is a member of the WTO; expresses its support for an observer status of Taiwan in the WHO in order to work together in global health crises and the trading of medical supplies;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes recent progress in negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia and renewed commitment by both sides to conclude this agreement; stresses that according to the Commission, the agreement could bring 2.3 % growth to the GDP of Indonesia by 2032; stresses that such agreement should not lead to, nor incentivise, further deforestation notably with regards to palm oil production;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets the factNotes that negotiations on a bilateral trade and investment agreement with the Philippines, which started in 2015, have been put on hold; acknowledges that negotiations should only resume once the worrying and critical situation concerning human rights and the rule of law in Philippines has improvedrecalls that the Philippines is a Lower-Middle income country and its trade relations with the EU should remain governed by the GSP+ framework; is concerned about the increasingly worrying and critical situation concerning human rights and the rule of law in Philippines due to the war on drugs; reminds that the Philippines will have to reapply for the GSP+ benefits under the new GSP Regulation as of 2024, requiring evidence of effective implementation of international standards on human rights, environment and good governance;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the Commission on to closely monitor the situation in Myanmar after the 2021 coup and whether an investigation towards launching a withdrawal of the EBA preferences should be launched;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Calls on the Commission and authorities of Cambodia to work towards a common understanding for the steps to be taken towards reaching the conditions for enabling the reinstatement of the EBA trade preferences for Cambodia under the EBA;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)
Subheading 2 a (new)
EU autonomous trade measures
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Welcomes the EU Indo-Pacific strategy’s aim to create a critical mass of countries supporting environmental, human and labour rights, due diligence and best practices;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Welcomes the entry into force of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening Regulation in 2019;underlines the importance of such mechanism as an important step for better monitoring FDI contribution to Europe's strategic interests; calls for further strengthening the instrument in the context of its forthcoming review process so as to also have a more granular data on whether inward FDI flows support sustainable economic activities and greenfield investments; is of the opinion that outward FDI flows should be monitored likewise so as to better identify the activities supported by these flows;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17 c. Welcomes the long-awaited conclusion in principle of the EU’s International Procurement Instrument (IPI) in order to achieve reciprocity and level playing field in international procurement markets; underlines the need to strengthen further the EU’s trade defence toolbox by swiftly adopting a strong foreign subsidies regulation and taking a clear stance against economic coercion by third countries, like China’s unacceptable coercion against Lithuania end of 2021,through a new anti-coercion instrument;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 d (new)
Paragraph 17 d (new)
17 d. Welcomes the proposals for EU legislation on deforestation-free products, corporate due diligence and carbon border adjustment measures; Underlines the need to ensure that these are compatible with WTO rules; Reiterates its call for an EU trade instrument to ban products made with forced labour in order to ensure that no products linked to forced labour situations, for example in Xinjiang, can enter the EU internal market; calls further on European companies in the region, as part of their corporate responsibility, to undertake a thorough investigation into the use of forced labour in their supply chains;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for further engagement with ASEAN and its member states and for the development and promotion of the EU- ASEAN strategic partnership; calls on both sides to use the momentum of the planned EU-ASEAN Summit in 2022, on the occasion of 45th anniversary of the EU- ASEAN bilateral relationship, to present a new EU-ASEAN action plan for the upcoming period to promote increased multifaceted cooperation in key areas and explore the possibility of resuming negotiations of a region-to-region trade agreement once the conditions in terms of human rights and democracy are to the EU’s standards;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19