Commission presents EU-Vietnam trade and investment agreements for signature and conclusion

The European Commission adopted the EU-Vietnam trade and investment agreements, paving the way for their signature and conclusion. Through this adoption, the Commission is demonstrating its commitment to putting these agreements in place as soon as possible.

The trade agreement will eliminate virtually all tariffs on goods traded between the two sides. The agreement also includes a strong, legally binding commitment to sustainable development, including the respect of human rights, labor rights, environmental protection and the fight against climate change, with an explicit reference to the Paris Agreement.

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said: “The trade and investment agreements with Vietnam are exemplary of Europe’s trade policy. They bring unprecedented advantages and benefits for European and Vietnamese companies, workers and consumers. They take fully into account the economic differences between the two sides. They promote rules- and values-based trade policy with strong and clear commitments on sustainable development and human rights. By adopting them a few hours before welcoming the participants in the ASEM-EU Summit in Brussels, the Commission shows its commitment to open trade and engagement with Asia. I now expect the European Parliament and EU Member States to do the necessary for the agreements to enter into force as soon as possible”.

The trade agreement will eliminate over 99% of customs duties on goods traded between the two sides. Vietnam will remove 65% of import duties on EU exports from entry into force of the agreement, with the remainder of duties being gradually eliminated over a 10-year period, to take into account that Vietnam is a developing country. The agreement also contains specific provisions to address non-tariff barriers in the automotive sector and will provide protection for 169 traditional European food and drink products in Vietnam, the so-called Geographical Indications, like Rioja wine or Roquefort cheese. Through the agreement, EU companies will be able to participate on an equal footing with domestic companies in bids for procurement tenders with Vietnamese authorities and state-owned enterprises.

Besides offering significant economic opportunities, the trade agreement also ensures that trade, investment, and sustainable development go hand in hand, by setting the highest standards of labor, safety, environmental and consumer protection, ensuring that there is no ‘race to the bottom’ to attract trade and investment.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 17 October 2018