External Trade 1 The Market Access Database and the Trade Barriers Regulation

External Trade 2 Aims at removing trade barriers on a global scale Aims at achieving the largest economic impact in terms of additional trade and investment opportunities Aims at benefiting all sectors of EU industry Uses a main operational tool: the Market Access Database (web address The Market Access Strategy...

External Trade 3 Establish whether a particular market is worth targeting Select export markets and negotiate with local importers Confirm that our major trading partners comply with their WTO and bilateral obligations Obtain in-depth information on market access-related topics The Market Access Database helps EU exporters to:

External Trade 4 The Sectoral and Trade Barriers Database The Exporter’s Guide to Import Formalities The Applied Tariffs Database Statistical Database Studies The content of the Market Access Database

External Trade 5 Trade Barriers Regulation WTO dispute settlement DDA and WTO accession negotiations Implementation of existing bilateral agreements Negotiation of new free trade and other agreements Other trade consultations Diplomatic pressure How we ensure better access to world markets – the main tools available are:

External Trade 6 Example of cases CountryCourse of action India: Balance of payment restrictions WTO dispute settlement system - negotiated settlement USA: Safeguards on steel WTO dispute settlement system - panel proceeding Uruguay: Discriminatory taxation of spirits TBR procedure Taiwan: Discriminatory taxation of spirits Accession to the WTO Ukraine: Discriminatory fees for pharmaceuticals Consultations and the initiation of a dispute settlement procedure under the PCA Mexico: TRIMS in the car sector Free trade agreement negotiation

External Trade 7 The Trade Barriers Regulation: The Uruguay/whisky case The website provides a short presentation of the case: /respectrules/tbr/cases/uru_whi.htm /respectrules/tbr/cases/uru_whi.htm

External Trade 8 the European Commission and the European industry one or more European firm an association the Scotch Whisky Association TBR = a partnership between

External Trade 9 A partnership to attack violations of WTO rules by a WTO member. Example of the Uruguay case: 1.A condition that whiskies be aged less than 3 years to benefit from inclusion in the lowest tax band of VAT 2.A requirement to affix strip stamps on imported whiskies only 3.A lack of transparency in the administration of VAT 4.A requirement to make advance payments of VAT applicable only to importers

External Trade 10 The first step: a complaint from the EU industry (2/9/2004) Content 1.Evidence of the obstacle to trade description piece of legislation 2.Evidence of the adverse trade affects economic information on the whisky market in Uruguay initial evidence on the loss caused by the measure for the EU industry

External Trade 11 The second step: the Commission takes over 1.Complaint accepted or rejected within 45 days (23/10/2004) 2.Notice of initiation in OJ: name and shame 3.Investigation phase 2 goals –collect factual evidence –window for negotiated solutions: Uruguay 4.Public report to Member States: within 5 months, maximum 7 months (05/2005) 5.Action: close the case: only once go to WTO monitor agreement: Uruguay

External Trade 12 Assessment Investment from both sides Increase the pressure before WTO action Negotiated solutions for the benefit of EU industry Our website: rules/tbr/index_en.htm rules/tbr/index_en.htm