Written by Stephen C. Tupper

In March 2011, the European Commission published its first annual report, to the European Council, on trade and investment barriers in third world countries. This is the latest round in a long-standing campaign on the part of the Commission to find a way to eradicate trading obstacles faced by EU exporters in a number of key international markets that are not replicated when non-EU exporters seek access to the EU market. Evidencing signs of frustration over the lack of progress to date, the Commission states: “A key message of the new EU trade strategy is that in parallel to the negotiating agenda, our renewed trade policy must take a more assertive approach, not least to ensure that European companies are not deprived of legitimate market access opportunities and that our rights are properly enforced to ensure a level-playing field.” What this “more assertive” approach is going to mean in practice is the key question.
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