Nachhaltige Partnerschaft

The illusion that open and free trade, no matter with which partner, also creates fair and sustainable trade as well as eventually political change and a better, safer, world has long been put into question. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, it has completely evaporated. It would be wrong, however to completely abandon the concept of “change through trade” and to view trade policy solely as a protectionist element. Trade can indeed stimulate sustainable growth, bring about positive structural change and bind countries together more strongly – but only if the conditions are set correctly. And if both sides of the equation demonstrate the necessary will to do so. There has been a clear lack of this direction and will in trade policy and beyond in recent decades. The challenges facing a modern and positive trade policy are many. Some of them are worth considering in detail before drawing conclusions for a reorientation of what remains the Union’s most effective geopolitical policy area.