Caobisco, the European confectionery trade association has joined a total of 30 other major business groups in calling on the EU to adopt an ambitious and open trade policy with nations around the world to promote competitiveness and economic prosperity, writes Neill Barston.
The key Brussels-based chocolate, sweets and snacks body, which is set to once again join plans for our World Confectionery Conference on 12 September, has just recently released its latest five-year manifesto, which also sought greater action from the European Union on major global trade initiatives.
Among the 30 trade organisations from across sectors calling for action across the continent was CropLife Europe, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, EU dairy trade body, Eucolait, and Coceral, the trade body for cereals, oils and fats.
As Caobisco noted, the urgent need for an enhanced European-wide trade policy was especially important given that business resilience needed to be increased amid a mounting range of international challenges, including higher prices for key ingredients including sugar and cocoa within confectionery/snacks and other food and drink segments, as well as heightened energy and logistics costs that have hit many sectors significantly.
According to the confectionery body, trade remains a cornerstone of the EU’s economic strength, directly supporting one in five EU jobs through exports. It significantly benefits consumers by expanding choices—a sentiment shared by 60% of Europeans—and attracts foreign investments that drive growth and innovation. Furthermore, diversified sourcing and export strategies strengthen the EU’s ability to navigate and overcome crises.
Moreover, as Caobisco observed, these facts reinforce the necessity of maintaining openness and growth as fundamental components of the EU’s trade policy. Achieving this requires deliberate prioritisation of policies that open new and diversified markets through trade agreements and reduce technical barriers to trade.
In their Joint Declaration, the 31 associations outline their vision for a successful EU trade policy in the upcoming institutional cycle. The coalition’s primary call to action is to enhance trade openness by pursuing new and renewed trade agreements to improve market access.
Additionally, the coalition advocates for the appointment of a dedicated Commissioner for Trade to oversee this exclusive EU competence, ensuring focused leadership and strategic direction.
The coalition calls on the EU to continue supporting The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the international rules-based system, which are key to ensuring a fair and predictable trade environment.
Lastly, the open trade coalition calls for increased collaboration with third-country partners and a more robust trade diplomacy to support an ambitious open trade policy.
The coalition firmly believes that these priorities related to strengthening trade openness, appointing a dedicated trade Commissioner, supporting the WTO and enhancing Cooperation and Trade Diplomacy are crucial for factors for maintaining economic advantages within the EU.
Notably, the joint statement asserted that there was huge benefit to industry and consumers alike from establishing firm trade policies. The collective of 31 organisations said: “We reiterate that trade openness is an engine of economic growth and jobs for theEU. A total of 1in5 jobs in the EU depend on EU exports to third countries alone equivalent to 38 million jobs, up two thirds from 2000.
“This increase was concomitant with a sharp progression in the percentage of the EU GDP represented by trade. We also want to stress the links between exports and imports, especially for
commodities which may be in short supply in Europe. In addition, trade also benefits consumers, through increased choice. Hence, the value of trade for citizens was recognised in a recent Eurobarometer survey, which showed that 6in10 Europeans believe that they benefit from international trade.Moreover, we want to emphasise the importance of the link between foreign direct investment and trade. EU trade policy does not only open markets for our companies abroadbut can also attract investments intheEU, contributing to growth, innovation and jobs.”