Www its tools eu

The European Commission wants to be able to deploy the countermeasures against "coercion" rapidly. Unlike with the political sanctions currently used, they will not require unanimous approval, rather a qualified majority will suffice.

But Ferber from the European Parliament is doubtful some member states will approve the measures. Even before the proposals were made public, states such as Sweden and the Czech Republic had spoken out against the new tools, citing concerns about escalating trade wars and increasing protectionism.

Dombrovskis promised that the measures against "coercion" would, of course, be applied according to international law — that is, in accordance with World Trade Organization WTO rules. What is more, he said, the Commission had consulted over months with business associations and lobby groups to gauge the consequences they could have on the bloc's own economic activities.

He said it was just what was needed in a "rough geopolitical landscape. Dombrovskis declined to name specific countries to be targeted by the new "anti-coercion instruments.

He did, however, say that this was not just about China. In Brussels, there is speculation that the Commission could also have its eye on the United Kingdom, which wants to force the EU into new negotiations on the Brexit agreement by violating customs regulations and deepening a row with France over fishing rights. These tools could perhaps also have been deployed to counter the erratic trade policies of former US President Donald Trump.

But the new Biden administration has almost entirely ended or suspended Trump's trade wars. The European Parliament and EU member states have yet to approve the new tools — a process that could take many months if past experience is anything to go by. Dombrovskis says he hopes there will be quick agreement. But in its current conflict with China, Lithuania will likely have to do without the "stick" for some time to come. Visit the new DW website Take a look at the beta version of dw.

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