European Parliament Committee on International Trade
The Committee on International Trade (INTA) is a standing committee of the European Parliament. It is responsible for the establishment, implementation and monitoring of the European Union's Common Commercial Policy, including trade and investment legislation, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, trade-defence instruments and relations with the World Trade Organization.[1]
| Committee on International Trade | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | INTA |
| Type | Standing committee |
| Legislature | European Parliament |
| Parliamentary term | 10th European Parliament |
| Chair | Bernd Lange S&D, Germany |
| Vice-Chairs | Manon Aubry (The Left) Iuliu Winkler (EPP) Karin Karlsbro (Renew) Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D) |
| Members | 42 |
| Jurisdiction | Common commercial policy, trade and investment agreements, trade-defence instruments, export controls and relations with the World Trade Organization |
| Counterpart | Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) |
| Website | Official website |
Following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, Parliament became co-legislator in the Common Commercial Policy and its consent became necessary for the conclusion of most international trade agreements. The Union's exclusive competence was also extended to include foreign direct investment.[2]
Responsibilities
editThe committee is responsible for matters relating to the Union's Common Commercial Policy and its external economic relations. It examines legislation governing trade in goods and services, commercial aspects of intellectual property, foreign direct investment and the Union's participation in the World Trade Organization.[3]
Its remit includes:
- the Union's common commercial policy;
- trade in goods and services;
- commercial aspects of intellectual property;
- foreign direct investment;
- bilateral, regional, plurilateral and multilateral trade agreements;
- relations with the World Trade Organization and other organisations concerned with international trade;
- trade-defence instruments, including anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures;
- export controls and trade restrictions;
- the Generalized System of Preferences;
- macro-financial assistance to non-EU countries;
- the trade aspects of sustainable development, labour standards, human rights and environmental policy; and
- parliamentary monitoring of the implementation and enforcement of trade agreements.[3][1]
Legislative role
editINTA considers legislative proposals under the ordinary legislative procedure and prepares Parliament's position on international trade agreements. Parliament may approve or reject agreements but cannot amend their negotiated text. The committee therefore scrutinises negotiations before an agreement is signed and makes a recommendation on whether Parliament should grant consent.[4]
The committee also monitors implementation after agreements enter into force. This includes examining commitments on market access, sustainable development, labour rights, environmental standards, dispute settlement and enforcement.[1]
Trade policy and agreements
editThe committee follows negotiations conducted by the European Commission with individual countries and regional organisations. It holds exchanges of views with the Commissioner responsible for trade, Commission negotiators, representatives of partner countries, businesses, trade unions and civil-society organisations.[1]
Its work has included agreements and negotiations involving Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, the Mercosur countries, Mexico, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It also considers autonomous trade measures and market-access arrangements for developing countries.[5]
Trade enforcement and economic security
editINTA examines instruments intended to protect the Union against unfair trade practices and economic coercion. These include anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, the International Procurement Instrument, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and the Anti-Coercion Instrument.[6]
The committee also deals with export-control legislation, foreign-investment screening and measures intended to strengthen economic security and the resilience of strategic supply chains.[7]
Chairs
editThe following table lists the chairs of the committee since 2009.
| Name | Political group | Member state | Took office | Left office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vital Moreira | S&D |  Portugal |
16 July 2009 | 30 June 2014 | |
| Bernd Lange | S&D |  Germany |
7 July 2014 | Incumbent[8] |
Members
edit10th Parliament, 2024–2029
editThe committee currently has 42 full members. Its current composition is shown below, with the chair and vice-chairs indicated in italics.[8]
Substitute members
editResearch support
editThe committee is supported by the European Parliament's research services and the Policy Department for External Relations. These services provide studies, briefings and impact assessments on trade agreements, the World Trade Organization, investment policy, trade enforcement, economic security and the effects of trade policy on sustainable development.[9]
Research prepared for the committee is published through Parliament's supporting-analyses database and the European Parliament Think Tank.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 "About the Committee on International Trade". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "The European Union and its trade partners". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Powers and responsibilities of the Committee on International Trade". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "EU trade agreements". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Negotiations and agreements". European Commission. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Trade defence". European Commission. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "An EU approach to enhance economic security". European Commission. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Members – Committee on International Trade". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Supporting analyses – INTA". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Latest documents – Supporting analyses – INTA". European Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2026.