Lunch event on Trade Policy

We are delighted to invite you to this lunch policy event, co-organised by our colleagues of the Jean Monnet Network on Transatlantic Trade Politics, the University of Antwerp and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). 

Over the past decade, issues of trade policy have become increasingly contentious in the EU and its member states. Whilst trade could traditionally be described as a technocratic policy field dominated by expert negotiators and industrial lobbyists, recent years have seen some changes. Nowadays, we can observe far-reaching civil society mobilisation and contentious parliamentary and (social) media debates about trade agreements. In addition, and in the wake of the COVID pandemic and growing great power rivalry, we have seen trade policy actors become more attuned to geopolitical and security issues.  

In light of these developments, it has become important, for scholars and policy makers alike, to understand the politics – and not just the policy – of international trade. Which factors make some trade agreements (geo)politically contentious, while others hardly register in public debates? Which provisions become igniters of contestation, and why? And what are the implications of these developments for transatlantic trade relations?  

Taking place during the run-up to European and US Presidential elections, this event will showcase research on these questions from scholars of the Jean Monnet Network on Transatlantic Trade Politics – and bring this into conversation with European trade policy observers and practitioners. The Network brings together several universities from Europe and North America whose scholars possess recognised expertise on European and international trade, including on its politicisation (https://carleton.ca/tradenetwork/). 

This event, by registration only, will comprise a panel discussion and a Q&A, accompanied by a light networking lunch.

Members of the panel

Moderator: Malorie Schaus (Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels) 

• Andreas Dür (Professor of International Politics, Universität Salzburg & member of the JM Network) 
• Sabine Weyand (Director-General, DG Trade, European Commission) 
• Lore Van den Putte (Political adviser to MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the Committee on International Trade, European Parliament) 
• Elvire Fabry (Senior Research Fellow, Institut Delors, Paris & member of the JM Network) 
• Aneta Spendzharova (Professor of Political Science and European political economy, Universiteit Maastricht) 

Hosted by Dirk De Bièvre (Professor of International Politics, Universiteit Antwerpen & member of the JM Network) 

Please kindly register by Wednesday 10 April, including details of any dietary restrictions you may have.

Practicalities

• Location? – In-person event at De Warande, Zinnerstraat 1, 1000 Brussel 
• Date and time? – Wednesday 24 April 2024, 12.00 - 14.00 CET (doors open 11.30) 
• Register? – Please kindly register by Wednesday 10 April, including details of any dietary restrictions you may have.