EU trade relations and the modernisation process of the WTO, main issues on the agenda of the informal meeting of the Trade Policy Committee - Full-members, in Bucharest

The informal meeting of the Trade Policy Committee - Full-members (TPC - FM) took place in Bucharest, on March 4-5, 2019. The discussions were focused on trade policy issues of current relevance such as EU-China trade and investment relations, the modernization process of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and EU-US trade relations.

During plenary sessions, Member States representatives discussed EU-China trade and investment relations within the context of recent developments in international trade and preparations for the EU-China Summit in April 2019. Discussions highlighted the need for an active involvement of China in the process of modernizing the WTO and strengthening the multilateral trade system. They also reflected the importance of keeping an appropriate level of ambition in the EU-China bilateral trade negotiations (Comprehensive Investment Agreement and Bilateral Agreement on Geographical Indications).

Another topic of discussion focused on the EU approach related to the WTO modernization process, in the context of the latest developments in Geneva, notably at the WTO General Council meeting of February 28, 2019.

Finally, the TPC Full Members followed up on the recent developments of the trade relations between the EU and the US, in light of the political discussion that took place at the informal meeting of FAC - Trade, held in Bucharest on February 21-22, 2019.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Diana Codău, Director of the Trade Policy and European Affairs Directorate and Chair of the TPC - FM during the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The European Commission delegation was led by Mr. Jean-Luc Demarty, Director General of DG Trade.