Goals of the EU Trade Policy

1. Create a global system for fair and open trade

The World Trade Organization has helped shape a system of global trade rules that keeps the global economy open for trade as well as reflects and respect the needs and concerns of developing countries.

The network of agreements and obligations overseen by the World Trade Organization, helps ensure that trade is open, predictable and fair.
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EU trade policy works to maintain the global trading system and to ensure it adapts to a fast-changing world.

2. Open up markets with key partner countries

We seek to create growth and jobs for Europeans by increasing their opportunities to trade with the world. This is particularly important in the context of current economic conditions.

One way of opening markets is to negotiate better access and conditions for trade and investment through free trade agreements.
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The EU has concluded a number of Free Trade Agreements and is continuing negotiations with others.

3. Make sure everyone plays by the rules

EU trade policy aims to open new markets for European exporters, workers and investors through lifting barriers to the markets of our trading partners. We work closely with countries outside Europe to:

• remove persistent problems for exporters
• increase the opportunities for EU businesses to get equal access to procurement markets outside the EU
• reduce counterfeiting and piracy of European goods
• open up new opportunities for European investment

Because international trade rules are designed to ensure that trade is fair, it is vital that they are respected. The EU offices represent and defend European interests in the court system of the World Trade Organization, helping ensure that WTO obligations are met.

EU is  also responsible for making sure that the imports that enter the EU are traded at fair prices and that they do not cause unfair damage to European companies and their workers.

4. Ensure trade is a force for sustainable development

EU is also actively helping people around the world trade their way out of poverty. Europe has opened its markets to all imports from the world's poorest countries, and works actively to help developing countries build the capacity to take advantage of trade.

EU use trade policy to reinforce other important international goals:

• supporting the fight to protect our environment and reverse global warming;
• striving to improve working conditions for workers in developing countries; and
• ensuring the highest standards of health and safety for the products we buy and sell.