European Commissioner for Trade
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The Commissioner for External Trade is the member of the European Commission responsible for the European Union's external trade policy. The portfolio is currently held by Catherine Ashton, a British member of the Party of European Socialists.
Due to the size of the European economy, being the world's largest market and having a huge slice of world trade, this position can be very important in dealing with other world economic powers such as China or the United States. Former Commissioner Leon Brittan commented that “Frankly, it is more important than most [national] cabinet jobs”.[1] The Commissioner leads Europe in organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
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[edit] Current commissioner
Catherine Ashton was nominated by Gordon Brown as the UK's EU Commissioner on 3 October to replace Peter Mandelson[2] and appointed on 6 October as the new Trade Commissioner.[3] Although a life peer, she does not use her title Baroness Ashton of Upholland as an EU Commissioner.[4]
[edit] Mandelson
At his hearing at the European Parliament in 2004, Peter Mandelson expressed a desire to develop multi-lateral rule-based trade, benefiting the poor as well as helping general economic development. He has been noted for being a pro-European and an Atlantacist. [5]
Concluding WTO talks after the collapse of the Doha Development Round has been a contentious point, with the EU not willing to cut agricultural subsidies without similar action by the United States.
In July 2007, he proposed the creation of European golden shares to protect certain European companies, such as EADS from foreign takeovers. The Commission has generally been against golden shares as they distort the Union's internal market, the idea is that EU golden shares would protect companies from outside influence but not other European companies.[6]
Mandelson stated that he did not intend to seek another term in the Commission after 2009[7] and in 2008 he stood down in order to join the British cabinet as Business secretary. Although his tenure was supported by business representatives in Brussels in light of his advocacy of free trade, his departure was generally welcomed by development NGOs and fair trade campaigners who viewed his attitude towards developing countries as aggressive, supporting European big business over development goals.[8]
[edit] List of commissioners
| State | Commission | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Brittan |  United Kingdom |
Santer Commission | 1994-1999 |
| Pascal Lamy |  France |
Prodi Commission | 1999-2004 |
| Danuta Hübner |  Poland |
Prodi Commission | 2004 |
| Peter Mandelson | United Kingdom |
Barroso Commission | 2004-2008 |
| Catherine Ashton | United Kingdom |
Barroso Commission | 2008-Present |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ The New Commission - Some initial thoughts BM Brussels
- ^ Chaffin, Joshua; George Parker (2008-10-04). "EU president backs trade role for Ashton". Financial Times. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e05b5722-9198-11dd-b5cd-0000779fd18c.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-06.
- ^ http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/pr061008_en.htm
- ^ "Catherine Ashton, EU Trade Commissioner, Trade website". European Union. 2008. http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/ashton/index_en.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-09.
- ^ Opening statement for European Parliament Hearing European Commission
- ^ 'Golden share' could protect EU companies from takeover: Mandelson EU Business, 23 July 2007.
- ^ Mandelson to step down as EU commissioner The Guardian
- ^ Phillips, Leigh (3 October 2008) Trade commissioner Mandelson resigns, EU Observer
