Ref. Ares(2022)6847562 - 04/10/2022
Cabinet of President von der Leyen – Meeting minutes
MEETING CONCLUSIONS
Title
Meeting with BusinessEurope
Date
14/07/2022
Participants
Ext: Luisa Santos
COM: Martina Lodrant and Federico Ohle
Issues raised
& follow-up
Representatives from BusinessEurope (BE) held a meeting with Ms Martina
Lodrant (CAB PDT) on the overall EU bilateral trade agenda. BE informed that it
will share with PDT a paper on CN meant to draw companies’ attention to doing
business with CN and to the fact that CN remains a necessary partner on issues
such as climate change, for example. BE highlighted its support to the EU’s
bilateral trade agenda and expressed appreciation for the conclusion of the FTA
with NZ and the adoption of the new approach on sustainability (raising the
question if all partners would accept it). BE inquired about the outlook for the
coming months, also with regards engagement with African countries.
Asia
Ms Lodrant confirmed the commitment to advance the bilateral trade agenda to
diversify and promote economic growth. She reported on a first positive
reaction to NZ FTA. She observed that with a new government in AUS there
could be a new push for the FTA negotiations. She noted that FTA negotiations
with INDO remained difficult, adding that Global Gateway investment projects
may help address some concerns. She explained that IN is a big priority, pointing
out that the role of TTC is to maintain a constant political input in the technical
work.
BE reported on good contacts with IN industry and on the interest from IN side
on deeper relations. BE explained that IN has two major interests: services, and
textiles and investments there. BE stressed the need to keep a close dialogue
with IN that could be problematic on things like data. BE reported on two issues
coming from EU industry on which little can be conceded to IN: dairy and public
procurement (on cars and spirits there is some flexibility, but difficult to
eliminate duties completely).
Latin America
BE shared that BZ Presidential candidate Mr Lula made some statements against
the FTA but can be persuaded, adding that PT and ES can help with this.
Ms Lodrant welcomed the support of MS for the FTAs and underlined the
important role of the upcoming Council PCY Trio.
Africa
BE observed that SA and MA are the biggest countries that are the most difficult
to convince, highlighting that SA has raw materials that can substitute RU ones.
Ms Lodrant informed of the intention to work more through Global Gateway
and with private sector. BE reported that companies are asking where the
Cabinet of President von der Leyen – Meeting minutes
projects are and how to be involved. Participants agreed to a follow-up after the
summer.
United States
BE outlined the following main challenges: what the EU wants from TTC and
what the US wants does not always align, diverging goals and
preferences. BE
explained that for US, commerce is more on internal agenda and about building
resilience on supply chains and attracting investments. BE highlighted regulatory
alignment as a priority, explaining that the message has to come from the White
House. As regulatory priorities, BE pointed out the following: new technologies,
medical devices, automotive, chemicals, machinery (all traditional sectors that
remain key). BE finally asked for improvements on possibilities for further
engagement.
Document Outline