Right, time for a basic 'EU and Member States in trade agreements' thread. With anyone, but obviously relevant to future EU-UK agreement. 1/
Most importantly, DG Trade on behalf of the Commission are absolutely in charge of the process. They set the timings, convene the meetings… 2/
The Commission, led by DG Trade, decide what the draft content is, are the ones in the negotiating room, they report back to Member States, Parliament 3/
Ultimately though DG Trade need a trade agreement / policy that will be approved by Member States and European Parliament (and the rest of the Commission) so 4/
DG Trade will involve the Member States and listen to their views sufficient to get this approval. They will also take some good ideas, and ignore others that don’t suit 5/
At the start of a negotiation DG Trade consult Member States and try to come up with a reasonable compromise between all – heavily based on existing practice 6/
If a Member State really doesn’t like something or actively wants something they can make a fuss, work with others, raise to Ministers 7/
It takes a lot of effort for Member States to change the approach of the Commission. You have to put the effort in and walk the corridors regularly. It takes more than asking a question 8/
For one thing DG Trade doesn’t like this too much / want to maintain control. They accept change may be required, but in my experience resent this happening too often 9/
There is particular resentment if the fuss seems to come from the party the EU is negotiating with e.g. in TTIP talks when the US wanted Member States to solve issues 10/
This doesn’t mean being friendly with Member States is wrong. e.g. they can help with intelligence and tone. But ultimately the Commission is the boss on trade 11/
The Parliament shouldn't be overlooked. It will if anything want to protect the EU institutions more than DG Trade 12/
In part this is institutional, Parliament’s committees covering the whole Commission will report. And they will put forward specifics relating to that part of the Commission 13/
The rest of the Commission is not as outward looking as DG Trade. DG Trade may want to go further but can’t in many cases. 14/
This leads us to the main reason DG Trade follows existing templates. They were agreed by everyone, and to move away from them means new compromises 15/
Lest anyone think this is a counsel of despair, no, the advantage is within their normal bounds the EU can deliver trade agreements. Can the US currently say that? 16/ ends
