Open Strategic Autonomy – the Context

Open Strategic Autonomy – the Context

Since the spring of 2020, the concept of an open strategic autonomy of the European Union has increasingly been discussed in Europe - often in the context of the global system competition between open market economies and state economies. Further issues in this context are the crisis of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the increased use of unilateral measures, for example by the United States, and the increasing return to economic nationalism. The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic are also playing a key role in the debate.

At the center of these debates is the level playing field for European economic operators. To ensure the implementation and enforcement of the EU's trade rules vis-à-vis its trading partners, which are intended to guarantee competition on a level playing field, the office of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) was created. The CTEO is also the Deputy Director General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Trade. The CTEO's responsibilities include strengthening the implementation of the EU's multilateral, regional and bilateral trade agreements, monitoring the EU's trade defense measures and coordinating dispute settlement procedures between the EU and third countries (under WTO rules and European trade agreements). The office has been held by Denis Redonnet since summer 2020.1 However, the actual effectiveness of this office remains to be seen.

Accordingly, EU trade policy in the future is to be characterized by European open strategic autonomy. Thus, the European Trade Commissioner, who was appointed in October 2020 and is also Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, clarified that this is the guiding principle and shows that the EU wants to strengthen its global leadership ambitions in a number of areas and build alliances and strategic partnerships. According to Commissioner Dombrovskis, the concept of open strategic autonomy means reaffirming Europe's commitment to free and fair trade, and taking a tougher, more assertive approach to protect our businesses and consumers, notably through stronger defence and enforcement."2 The concept of open strategic autonomy also takes a central role in the strategic plan of the Directorate General for Trade (DG Trade) for the years 2020 to 2024, which was published in November 2020.3

In the EU Trade Policy Review, completed in February 2021, the European Commission defines the approach of open strategic autonomy as "the EU’s ability to make its own choices and shape the world around it through leadership and engagement, reflecting its strategic interests and values." International cooperation should continue to be the preferred method. To this end, the openness of the European Union is central, as it "brings prosperity, competitiveness and dynamism". At the same time, however, the trade strategy states that this approach should enable the EU to "assertively [defend] its interests" and protect “EU’s economy from unfair trade practices." The creation of a level playing field for European economic operators is also addressed by the European Commission. Here, the

1 European Commission, Chief Trade Enforcement Officer, <https://ec.europa.eu/trade/trade-policy-and-you/contacts/chieftrade-enforcement-officer/> (accessed 27 November 2020). 2 European Commission, European Parliament: Speech by EVP Dombrovskis at Trade Policy Day “A Renewed Trade Policy after the Covid-19 Pandemic”, 12 October 2020, <https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/dombrovskis/announcements/european-parliament-speech-evp-dombrovskis-trade-policy-day-renewed-trade-policy-after-covid-19_en>. 3 European Commission, Strategic Plan 2020-2024, Directorate-General for Trade, <https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2020/november/tradoc_159104.pdf> (accessed 30 November 2020).