New trade and investment strategy - an ambitious vision

BUSINESSEUROPE sees the new trade and investment strategy as a positive step to ensure Europe remains at the centre stage of world trade and investment. The emphasis on global value chains, services, digital economy and mobility reflects recent changes in the patterns of trade and investment and is essential to ensure a more effective trade policy. Trade and investment liberalisation is a key competitiveness driver, particularly for SMEs in an efficient and ambitious trade policy. Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: “We need to ensure that more European companies take advantage of business opportunities in third markets. The inclusion of an SME-specific chapter in all our free-trade agreements is an important step towards internationalisation and increased participation of SMEs in world trade.”