European Commissioner for Trade

European Commissioner for Trade is a member of the European Commission responsible for overseeing the European Union's (EU) trade policy, including negotiating trade agreements with other countries and regions, such as the United States, China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Commissioner works closely with other EU institutions, including the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, to promote the EU's trade interests and ensure that trade policies align with the EU's overall objectives, such as those outlined in the Lisbon Treaty and the Maastricht Treaty. The Commissioner also collaborates with international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to address global trade issues, including those related to the Doha Development Round and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

● Introduction

The European Commissioner for Trade plays a crucial role in shaping the EU's trade policy, which is a key component of the EU's overall economic strategy, as outlined in the Europe 2020 strategy and the European Semester. The Commissioner must balance the interests of various stakeholders, including EU member states, such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as non-EU countries, like the United States, Canada, and Australia. The Commissioner works closely with other EU Commissioners, such as the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and the European Commissioner for Competition, to ensure that trade policies are consistent with other EU policies, including those related to agriculture, environment, and competition law. The Commissioner also engages with civil society organizations, such as the European Trade Union Confederation and the European Consumers' Organisation, to ensure that trade policies reflect the interests of EU citizens, as protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

● Role and Responsibilities

The European Commissioner for Trade has a wide range of responsibilities, including negotiating trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada and the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan. The Commissioner also oversees the implementation of existing trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The Commissioner works closely with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade to develop and implement the EU's trade policy, including policies related to trade defense instruments, such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties. The Commissioner also collaborates with international organizations, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), to address global trade issues, including those related to labour rights and public health.

● History of

the Portfolio The European Commissioner for Trade portfolio was established in 1958, with the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC). The first Commissioner to hold the portfolio was Jean Rey, who played a key role in shaping the EEC's trade policy, including the negotiation of the Treaty of Rome. Over the years, the portfolio has undergone several changes, with the Commissioner's responsibilities expanding to include new areas, such as trade and development and trade and environment. The Commissioner has also played a key role in negotiating major trade agreements, such as the Uruguay Round and the Doha Development Round, which have helped to shape the global trading system, including the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Commissioner has worked closely with other EU institutions, including the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, to promote the EU's trade interests and ensure that trade policies align with the EU's overall objectives, such as those outlined in the Lisbon Treaty and the Maastricht Treaty.

● List of Commissioners

The following is a list of European Commissioners for Trade: * Jean Rey (1958-1967) * Jean-François Deniau (1967-1973) * Wilhelm Haferkamp (1973-1977) * Wilhelm Haferkamp (1977-1981) * Wilhelm Haferkamp (1981-1985) * Frans Andriessen (1985-1989) * Frans Andriessen (1989-1993) * Leon Brittan (1993-1995) * Leon Brittan (1995-1999) * Pascal Lamy (1999-2004) * Peter Mandelson (2004-2008) * Catherine Ashton (2008-2009) * Benita Ferrero-Waldner (2009-2010) * Karel De Gucht (2010-2014) * Cecilia Malmström (2014-2019) * Phil Hogan (2019-2020) * Valdis Dombrovskis (2020-present)

● Powers and Negotiations

The European Commissioner for Trade has significant powers to negotiate trade agreements on behalf of the EU, including the authority to negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) and investment agreements. The Commissioner works closely with the European Council and the European Parliament to ensure that trade agreements reflect the EU's overall objectives, such as those outlined in the Lisbon Treaty and the Maastricht Treaty. The Commissioner also collaborates with other EU Commissioners, such as the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and the European Commissioner for Competition, to ensure that trade policies are consistent with other EU policies, including those related to agriculture, environment, and competition law. The Commissioner has played a key role in negotiating major trade agreements, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the United States and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada.

● Current Commissioner

The current European Commissioner for Trade is Valdis Dombrovskis, who took office in 2020. Commissioner Dombrovskis has a strong background in trade policy, having previously served as the European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. He has played a key role in shaping the EU's trade policy, including the negotiation of trade agreements with countries such as the United States, China, and Japan. Commissioner Dombrovskis has also worked closely with other EU institutions, including the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, to promote the EU's trade interests and ensure that trade policies align with the EU's overall objectives, such as those outlined in the Lisbon Treaty and the Maastricht Treaty. He has also collaborated with international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to address global trade issues, including those related to the Doha Development Round and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

Category:European Commissioners