MEP Asimakopoulou praised the ability of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to deliver new jobs and investments, but highlighted that they are also key to shaping global rules and values. She welcomed the “mutually acceptable solution on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters”, noting that this issue has acted as one of the major roadblocks to new FTAs, until recently.

“As the race to shape a new world order gathers pace, FTAs will play a key role, and our partners see the EU as a beacon of stability, predictability, opportunity.”

MEP Asimakopoulou noted the ambitious agenda set out by President Von der Leyen in her State of the Union Address, in which she namechecked negotiations with Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and India.
MEP Asimakopoulou said this was all part of the EU’s trade strategy to future proofing itself for the emerging multipolar world.
She also highlighted that while the EU had lost some time in concluding FTAs in recent years, the timing for a fresh push from the EU was right, noting the EU’s attraction to partners around the world as a place of stability, predictability, and opportunity.
“We must now focus on making up for lost time. Fortunately, it is the perfect timing to make up for this lost time. ”