Blowin’ Against the Wind: On ACTA, AA, CETA, TTIP and the Forgetfulness of David Ricardo

Abstract

In the European Union of these days there seem to be a widespread and growing anti-free trade sentiment in some parts of the population. The arguments used against free trade are often presented as legal ones, as the recent experience with several agreements negotiated by the European Union (such as the CETA and the TTIP) shows. Against that background, doubts as to the prosperous future of the European Union’s trade policy seem legitimate, notwithstanding the fact that the European Union is currently negotiating around twenty trade agreements with different countries or groups of countries. This article is meant to provide a few thoughts on the future of EU trade policy. In particular, the following questions will be addressed: should the European Union, at this point in time, continue to pursue a free trade agenda? If so, does the European Union have the means to do that effectively? The authors explain that the pursuit of a free (and fair) trade agenda is part of the Union’s DNA. They also explain that there are ways to interpret and apply the current EU Treaties provisions so as to permit the European Union to conduct a more effective trade policy and enhance its credibility as international partner.