Activities of Emma McCLARKIN related to 2015/2105(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on a new forward-looking and innovative future strategy for trade and investment PDF (610 KB) DOC (280 KB)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on a new forward-looking and innovative future strategy on trade and investment
Amendments (68)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the European Council Conclusions of 7/8th February 2013, its Conclusions on Trade of 21st November 2014 and the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 27th November 2015,
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that, given the EU’s status as the largest economy in the world, trade is its strongest policy tool for promoting European valueand supporting European interests, investment and business abroad while creating jobs and growth at home;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas trade plays a powerful role in promoting business opportunities, creating prosperity and increasing employment as well as in driving economic development and social progress;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas new-generation trade policy needs to respond to people’s concernsaddress modern day trade issues, such as digital trade and the key role of SMEs; whereas new trade agreements should be open and transparent and respond to the needs of citizens, consumers and businesses; welcomes the European Commission's transparency initiative in this regard;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas trade negotiations such as ACTA, TTIP, CETA and TiSA have brought European trade policy to the public’'s attention, and whereas more and more citizens are worried that European regulation and standards could be undermined by the CCP;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. ARecognising that public procurement accounts for 15-20% of global GDP agrees with the Commission on the need to take a holistic yetand ambitious approach to public procurement, especially within TTIP where only 32% of the US market is currently open to EU business;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the EU’'s trade and investment policy must be bolstered not only by ensuring beneficial outcomes in terms of employment and wealth creation for citizens and businesses, but also by guaranteeing the highest level of transparency, engagement and accountability, by maintaining constant dialogue with businesses, consumers, social partners, stakeholders and local and regional authorities, and by setting clear guidelines in the negotiations;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas by 2050 the EU-28 willis projected to account for only 15 % of the world’'s GDP, down from 23.7 % in 2013, and whereas bysince 2015 90 % of world growth will beis generated outside Europe;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU is currently the largest trading bloc in the world, controlling a third of world trade, and whereas by 2020 this willis projected to decrease to about 26 %;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Agrees with the Commission that trade policy can work only if Europe continues its focus on better regulation, cutting red tape and increaseding competition within the single market; particularly in the service sector and welcomes mutual transparency and improvement of regulatory processes within trade agreements without infringing on the national right to regulate;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas other variables such as demographic changes will also have a negative impact on the EU’'s position on the world trade scene; whereas the EU’'s share of the world’'s population is expected to decrease from 7.1 % in 2013 to 5.3 % in 2060; whereas increasing life expectancy coupled to increasing dependency ratios (estimated to increase from 28.8 per 100 people to 49.4 per 100 people in 2050) will present new challenges in maintaining economic growth and social expenditures;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the percentage of world trade made up of intermediate goods is nearly 60% of the share of world imports and close to 75% of the imports of large developing countries, such as Brazil and China;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas it has been estimated that cross border flows of capital, goods, services and data added an extra $7.8tn to the global economy in 2014, with the added value of data flows alone covering $2.8tn of that total, more than the $2.7tn estimated for trade in goods;
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the TiSA and TTIP negotiations, calls for them to be ambitious, comprehensive and completed swiftly, and underlines the need to ensure they achieve greater market access for European service providers;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Adapting faster to quickly changing trends in global trade patterns
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
(1) Believes firmly that any future trade policy must, as core principles, fight all forms of protectionism, notably the reduction of unnecessary non-tariff barriers to trade, ensure new market access for goods, services and procurement, especially for SMEs, promote investment as well as ensuring suitable investment protection provisions, promote high standards of IPR protections, secure new access to raw materials and energy resources , promote regulatory cooperation and raise global standards;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the fact that the new strategy is not sufficiently focused on the rolBelieves strongly that while services account for 70% of European economic activity, and will provide 90% of future jobs, that the importance of the EU manufacturing sector in the CCP, which is vital for the reindustrialismust in no way be overlooked in the formulation of Europethe CCP;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the strategy’s focus on the global digital market and preventing the development of new barriers to trade in digital goods and services; supports, in line with data protection rules, all measures to increase the free flow of data and all efforts to achieve improved facilitation of online trade on a multilateral level and in parallel with the WTO;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for negotiations –Welcomes discussions within or in parallel to trade agreements – on greater mobility for professionals, recognition of professional qualifications, and visa facilitation on a case by case basis whilst appreciating labour market sensitivities and admission requirements for the movement of natural persons established in Member States;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to regularly update its trade and investment strategy and to publicly present a detailed annual implementation report to Parliament by 31st March of each calendar year;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission’'s attempts to increase transparency and openness at all stages of trade negotiations, such as the Commission’'s TTIP transparency initiative; acknowledges that, after a number of requests from Parliament, the Commission enhanced the transparency of negotiations by providing all Members of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments access to classified negotiating documents and providing more information to stakeholders; recalls that enlarged access to classified information by Members of Parliament in the TTIP negotiations has strengthened parliamentary scrutiny, thereby allowing Parliament to assume its responsibility under the CCP even better; callasks therefore for a wid Commission to consider extending of the Commission’its transparency initiative to extend its key elements to all ongoing trade negotiationsall ongoing and future trade negotiations, and to consult with partner countries with a view to encouraging the highest standards of transparency;
Amendment 89 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that a digitised customs control system in addition to improved cooperation between Member State customs and market surveillance authorities is needed in order to speed up transfers of goods, especially and tackle counterfeits within global supply chains.;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Council to publish all existing and future negotiating mandates as soon as they are adoptedis feasibly possible;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the CCP is to be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union’'s external action as set out in Article 21 TEU; recalls that the EU’'s trade and investment policy must be consistent with other external policies; stresses that the EU has a legal obligation to respect human rights, and should foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of trading countries; points out that in some cases trade and investment agreements may have negative effects contrary to the EU’s external objectives as enshrined in the Treaties; is of the opinion that the EU has a responsibility to help tackle any negative impact caused by its CCP;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 7 – point 1 (new)
(1) Welcomes the large decrease in the number of people living in absolute poverty since 1990, as defined by the World Bank, notes however, that more needs to be done to catalyse both private and public investment in LDCs to provide the institutional and infrastructural frameworks that will allow LDCs to take better advantage of the benefits offered by trade by helping diversify their economies and integrate into global value chains, permitting them to specialise in higher value added products;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers migration to be one of the main challenges the EU is facing in the 21st century; emphasises that the EU’s trade and investment policy choices are fundamental in order to tackle migration; regrets that this has not been sufficiently reflected in the ‘Trade for All’ strategy;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)
(1) Stresses that open trade contributes to wealth creation in developing countries; recalls that there is an evident connection between wealth creation and prosperity and improvement in human rights, social rights and environmental protection over the long run;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that provisions on human rights and social and environmental standards, and a binding chapter on labour rights based on the ILO’'s core labour rights and corporate social responsibility (CSR), must form an essential part of EU trade agreements9 [1]; calls on the Commission to include sustainable development chapters that are not only legally binding but also enforceable in all EU trade and investment agreements; __________________ 9in EU trade and investment agreements; believes that these chapters must progressively reflect the levels of development of trading partners as requested by them while taking into account the specific capacity limitations of the least developed countries; [1] OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. __________________ 9 OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31.
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of effective safeguard mechanisms in trade agreements; calls at the same timeCalls for the inclusion of an effective enforcement mechanisms for labourthe trade and einvironmental rights to which the human rights clause does not apply; calls for a mechanism according to which civil society representatives, as well as Members of the European Parliament, are able to request that the Commission commence an investigation into violations by a third party of its obligations under an essential elements clauseestment provisions of agreements, as well as, where appropriate, certain safeguard mechanisms to prevent sudden surges in imports from causing undue harm to industry;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the importance of Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) and the involvement of civil society in free trade agreements (FTAs); calls for the further strengthening of the work of DAGs; stresses that they should be fully independent; calls on the Commission to take measures to improve the work of DAGs such as providing financial resources, prior informationcivil society in the process of monitoring the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) and the possibility of using more advanced media in order to facilitate civil society participation;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. AcknowledgWelcomes that the internationalisation of the world’'s production system has resulted in new openings for economic development and an employment-based path out of poverty for hundreds of millions of people; recalls that, while economic growth pulled 669m people out of poverty between 2001 to 2011 and the percentage of the global population living on $2 or less per day was cut in half from 29% to 15%, that according to the ILO, around 780 million active women and men are notmain unable to earning enough to be lifted out of poverty; underlines that the expansion of GVCs has created job opportunities but that the weak enforcement of existing labour laws and occupational safety standards in sourcing countries remains a pressing issue to protect workers from exhaustive working hours and unacceptable conditions; notes that it has also propelled some supplier firms to ignore labour laws, engage workers in unsafe and unacceptable conditions, demand exhaustive working hours and deny workers their fundamental rights; recalls that these practices create unfair competition for suppliers that are compliant with labour laws and international labour standards and for governments that want to improve wages and living standards; calls on the Commission topromote the improvement of conditions in GVCs; emphasises that the EU’'s further integration into GVCs must be driven by the dual principles of safeguarding the European social and regulatory model and securing and creating sustainable growth and jobs in the EU and for its partners without misusing the legitimate demand for responsibility measures in international commerce for protectionist means to shield the European market from imports;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 14 – point 1 (new)
(1) Recognises that given the global nature of supply chains, the multilateral level is the optimal platform from which to increase standards directed at promoting an effective implementation of existing international guidelines and initiatives, involving all stakeholders; notes the non-mandatory industry approaches that are already contributing positively to improving supply chain standards that should also be considered within this context;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that trade policy must ensure a transparent production process throughout the value chain, as well as compliance with fundamental environment, social, and safety standards; stresses the need for mandatory due diligence throughout the supply chain; welcomes the Commission’'s desire to work closely with the ILO and the OECD to develop a global approach to improving working conditions in the garment sector; underlines the importance of identifying and assessing new sectoral or geographic opportunities for additional responsible supply chain partnerships; looks forward to the Commission’'s upcoming communication on CSR;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 15 – point 1 (new)
(1) Stresses the importance of high animal welfare standards to EU citizens; calls on the Commission to ensure that live farm animals that are exported to third countries are transported in accordance with EU law on animal welfare;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to improve the quality of both ex-ante and ex- post assessments; stresses the need to always submit a deep sustainability impact assessment, including on human, social and environmental rights, for anymajor trade policy initiative; expresses its concern at the lack of interim and ex-post assessments and that the quality of the existing ones is very low, as demonstrated in the European Court of Auditors Special Report 02/2014s; insists that high-quality interim and ex- post evaluations be carried out in respect of all trade agreements in order to allow policymakers, stakeholders and European taxpayers to assess whether trade agreements have achieved the intended results; asks the Commission to provide data on the impact of the trade agreements which have been concluded with special regard to SMEs and the creation of jobs;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 21 – point 1 (new)
(1) Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Trade Facilitation Agreement which will contribute to simplifying and modernising customs procedures in many countries, making it easier in turn for developing countries to integrate into the global trading system; calls for the swift and correct implementation of the agreement by all parties.
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that improvements were achieved at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in 2015; recognises the differences among WTO members on how to proceed as regards the Doha Round, including the need to consider new approaches to solve outstanding issues; welcomes the interest of some WTO members in starting to address new negotiating areas such as, but not limited to, investment, digital trade, state owned enterprises and competition; believes that the outcome of the Nairobi Ministerial Conference provides an opportunity to give new life to the WTO’'s negotiating function; urges the Commission to take the initiative in reforming and strengthening the WTO in order to ensure greater effectiveness, transparency and accountability;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. ConsidersWelcomes ongoing plurilateral negotiations within the WTO such as the Information Technology Agreement and, the Environmental Goods Agreements to be the second-best optionand the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA); believes firmly that where possible, these agreements must be of sufficient ambition to be applied on a most favoured nation basis among all WTO Members and should act as building blocks for future multilateral agreements; emphasises that trade policy should also be used as a tool for increasing the competiveness of environmentally beneficial products; stresses the importance of multilateralising the ‘'green goods’' initiative and of considering whether bilateral or unilateral trade agreements could provide premium preferences for environmental goods;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to focus in a balanced way on the conclusion of the ongoing trade negotiations, and to show the potential benefits of the concluded trade agreements before launching new FTA negotiations; reminds the Commission to carry out a thorough, impartial and unprejudiced ex-ante evaluation of scoping exercises and impact assessments, taking into account European interests, before deciding on future FTA partners and negotiation mandateadopting draft negotiation mandates with future FTA partners;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 25 – point 1 (new)
(1) Believes that it is essential first and foremost to ensure that trade negotiations that have been successfully concluded are ratified as swiftly as possible. Calls in particular for the conclusion of deals with Canada and Singapore to ensure the opening up of two large markets that will be vital for the future interests of EU businesses. Calls for an informed debate across Europe during political discussions as votes take place in the European Parliament and in national legislatures;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines, in the context of the current talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the EU- Japan FTA, the high importance of focusing on core soffensitive issues such as the protection of geographical indications (GIs)that go beyond tariff elimination such as regulatory cooperation and good regulatory practices, the protection of geographical indications (GIs), the integration of SMEs in global value chains and public procurement when negotiating FTAs;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Insists that trade negotiations follow a tailor-made regional trade strategy, in particular vis-à-vis Asia, Africa and Latin America, which have been identified by the Commission as crucial regions for European economic interests; recalls that Europe and Latin America are natural allies with a combined population of one billion people generating a quarter of global GNP; points out that the potential of this partnership has been insufficiently exploited; welcomes the fact that the Commission’'s new trade and investment strategy puts a key focus on Latin America and calls on the European Commission to take advantage of the current momentum in Mercosur countries, notably in Argentina, so as to unblock the EU- MERCOSUR trade negotiations in order to reach a comprehensive and ambitious agreement; supports the modernisation of the agreements with Mexico and Chile and to consider the possibility in the medium term of a region to region deal between the EU and the Pacific Alliance;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 27 – point 1 (new)
(1) Calls on the Commission to deepen the trade and economic integration of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, while taking into account the specific ambition of partner countries, supports in this regard all measures to support the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia, including the Tunisian request to conclude an economic integration agreement;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission to start negotiations as early as possible for an investment agreement with Taiwan in parallel with the one with China; underlines that, in the context of the migration challenges, special focus should be put on the post-Cotonou framework; asks for further impetus to be given to negotiating FTAs with both Australia and New Zealand in parallel; urges the Commission to re-energise negotiations with Malaysia and to start negotiations with Indonesia as soon as possible following the conclusion of preparatory discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses that further trade liberalisation measures require the EU to be able to respond even more effectively to unfair trading practices and ensure a level playing field; underlines that TDIs must remain an indispensable component of the EU’'s trade strategy; recalls that the current EU trade defence legislation dates back to 1995; stresses that the Union’'s trade defence system needs to be modernised urgently; points out that EU trade defence law must be more effective, adapted to today’'s challenges and trade patterns, and also increase transparency and predictability; regrets that the TDI modernisation proposal is blocked in the Council; regrets that the Commission does not refer at all to the need for TDI modernisation in its ‘'Trade for All’' communication; calls on the Council to boost its efforts regarding TDI modernisation urgently, especially at a time when China is firmly requesting recognition of MES, and asks the Commission to present a new proposal;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 29 – point 1 (new)
(1) Stresses that faster access for European SMEs to anti-dumping procedures is key to protecting them from unfair trade practices; stresses the need for a reform of the WTO multilateral framework in order to better involve SMEs and to ensure faster settlement of disputes;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Strongly opposes the granting of MES to China, as it is not fulfilling, for the time being,Notes the expiry of Section 15(a)(ii) on the 11th December 2016 of China's Accession Protocol to the WTO; considers, given the legal nature of the question at hand, that any amendment of the EU’'s five technical criteria for deftrade defence methodologies to take account of this expiry must remain ing a market economy; underlines the importance of defining a common European strategy to reinvigorate and apply the anti-dumping procedures on various products suffering from the strong t full compliance with the EU's obligations under WTO law whilst ensuring the continued ability of the EU to take timely, necessary and effective measures to tackle anti-competitive market practices by EU trading partners and ensure EU companies continue to operadte distortion caused by Chinese exporting companieson a global level playing field;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10
Subheading 10
Opening up of new market opportunities for EU service providers and recognition of professional qualifications as an essential element of the EU trade strategy
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Recalls that the EU plays a leading role in the services sector, which accounts not only for over 70% of economic activity in the EU but also 90% of new job creation, and that the EU is the largest exporter of services worldwide; stresses that the opening up of new market opportunities must be an essential element of the EU’'s international trade strategy; stresses and that including services in as many sectors as possible in trade agreements is of the utmost importance, as it gives opportunities to European companies and domestic employees;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 34 – point 1 (new)
(1) Requests that the Commission promote and include the recognition of professional qualifications in trade agreements, which will open up new opportunities to European companies and employees, calls specifically for the consideration of incorporating certain benefits of the ICT Directive in to trade and investment agreements in exchange for such recognitions;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Shares the Commission’'s view that the temporary movement of professionals has become essential to increasing business internationally and remains an offensive interest of the EU, especially where it underpins the establishment of EU businesses in trade partners; stresses that a labour mobility chapter should be included in all EU trade and investment agreements; recalls however that Mode 4 commitments must only apply to the movement of highly skilled professionals, such as persons holding a university or equivalent Master's degree or employed in a senior managerial role, for a specific purpose, for a limited period of time and under precise conditions stipulated by the domestic legislation of the country where the service is performed and by a contract respecting such domestic legislation;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 36 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The essential nature of the digital economy to future global trade
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 36 – point 1 (new)
(1) Notes the growing and future importance of the digital economy, not only in Europe, but worldwide, with an estimated 3.3 billion internet users globally, making up 40% of the world's population, believes that trends such as cloud computing, mobile web services, smart grids and social media are leading to a radically transformed businesses landscape; underlines that EU trade policy must keep up with digital and technological trends;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 2 (new)
Paragraph 36 – point 2 (new)
(2) Welcomes the Commission's intention to use trade policy to tackle new forms of digital protectionism and to set rules for e-commerce and cross-border data flows in compliance with EU data protection and privacy law and to continue to engage internationally to promote and develop international privacy and personal data protection standards; believes that much more needs to be done to create a climate favourable to e- commerce and entrepreneurship within the EU; stresses that ensuring regulatory cooperation, mutual recognition and harmonisation of standards in the digital trade sector is vital, in order to ensure coherence and certainty for market operators and consumers;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point 3 (new)
Paragraph 36 – point 3 (new)
(3) Requests that the Commission together with WTO partners not only establish a working group on digital trade at the WTO, which should examine in detail the current framework's suitability for electronic commerce, looking at specific recommendations, clarifications and adjustments but also look at establishing a new framework for the trade facilitation in services, building on best practice stemming from the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Is aware that the inclusion of provisions relating to financial services in trade agreements has raised concerns regarding their potential negative effects where money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance are concerned; supports the Commission in its fight against corruption; insists that clauses on as a major non-tariff barrier in developed and developing countries; believes that this underlines the importance of ensuring that trading partners work together to ensure compatibility not only of primary prudential regulation through regulatory dialogue and cooperation, but also rules aimed at combatting corruption, money laundering and tax fraud, ambitious provisions for which should be included in all trade and investment agreements;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Asks the Commission to horizontally address SMEs’' needs in all chapters of trade agreements including, but not limited to, the creation of online single points of entry for SMEs to learn about relevant regulation, something of particularly crucial relevance to cross border service providers in terms of licencing and other administrative requirements; in addition, and where appropriate, these tools should cover new market access opportunities for SMEs, particularly for low value tenders; stresses the need to cut trading costs for SMEs through streamlining customs procedures, reducing non-tariff barriers and regulatory burdens and simplifying rules of origin; believes that there is a role to be played by SMEs in helping the Commission to shape these tools to ensure that trade agreements meet their needs; encourages the Commission to maintain close dialogue with SME representatives at all stages of trade negotiations;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Stresses the importance of further debate with stakeholders and Parliament on the Commission’s proposal for the Investment Court System in order to better clarify its impact on the ‘right to regulate’, the annual costs for the EU budget and its compliance withUnderlines that continued investment, both inward and outward, remains of crucial important to Europe's economy and stresses the need to promote and protect investment; notes the adoption of a new approach on investment, as called for by the European Parliament, and its inclusion in the agreements with Canada and Vietnam, and its inclusion in the EU legal order, the powproposal for an investment chapter ofin the EU courts in particular, and more specifically the EU competition rules-US free trade agreement;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. RegretNotes that the European Fund for Strategic Investments lacks an external dimension; invites, asks that the Commission tonly consider the creation of a European fund for external strategic investments aimed at reviving investments in strategic projectsn external arm after careful analysis of the performance of the Fund and an examination of its utility, given the existence of lending by the European Investment Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the action of the European Development Fund; emphasises that such a fund couldthese funds must contribute to sustainable development and decent jobs, tackle poverty and abate the root causes of migration;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 46 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The fight against illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 46 – point 1 (new)
(1) Remains deeply concerned by the recent surge in wildlife crime and its attendant illegal trade, which is not only having a devastating impact on biodiversity and species numbers but also presents a clear and present danger to livelihoods and local economies, notably in developing countries; welcomes the EU's commitment to eliminate the illegal wildlife trade as part of the EU's response to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 15, which notes not only the need to ensure the end of poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna but also to address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products; expects, in this regard, the Commission, after a period of reflection including the European Parliament and the Member States to consider how best to include provisions on the illegal wildlife trade in all future EU trade agreements;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Believes that better and more efficient customs procedures in Europe and abroad could help to facilitate trade, meet respective trade facilitation requirements, and fight against counterfeiting of goods entering the single market, which distorts EU economic growth and seriously exposes EU consumers; welcomes the Commission’'s intention to enhance cooperation between customs authorities; calls once more on the Commission and the Members States to set up a unified EU customs service for a more effective application of customs rules and procedures throughout the customs territory of the EU;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 47 – point 1 (new)
(1) Underlines that the Commission should be seeking in trade agreements the adoption by trading partners of single windows for customs and border compliance, if necessary accompanied by capacity building aid for trade funds, as appropriate;
Amendment 395 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. UnderlinEmphasises that trade agreements and the decline iquate communication and strong coordination tariff rates that follows expose customs to greater security and protection concerns; emphasises that adequate communication and strong coordination is essential;e required in order to ensure that tariff elimination is accompanied by appropriate technical, institutional and policy measures to ensure continued security of trade
Amendment 411 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to find more sophisticated ways of introducing mitigating measures to redevelop industries and regions that lose out; emphasises that in this respect the European Structural and Investment Funds, and in particular both the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, can play an outstanding role; points out that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund could also be an important instrument if reformed and shaped in a way that it is adequately funded;