In a time of trade tensions, and threats of protectionism, the Europeans are resisting. They are looking towards Latin America (the eu-Mercosur negotiations are close to achieve) but also to Asia. On Sunday, it is with Vietnam that the european Union will sign in Hanoi, a commercial agreement.
“The position of Vietnam in Asia, and its proximity to China and other markets is extremely interesting”
This is the free trade agreement “the most ambitious ever concluded with a developing country”, ensures the european commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. It should allow to eliminate 99 % of tariffs on goods traded between the two partners, in ten years. The second component relates to the protection of investments, which establishes a dispute settlement system. These two texts should facilitate the activities of european enterprises in Vietnam, by removing taxes, and technical barriers, thanks to a regulatory alignment is substantial. Limited to 6 billion euros, investments …
