Politically controversial, weak content: The China-EU Investment Agreement

The investment agreement between China and the EU is highly controversial – and its future uncertain. Whether and when it will be ratified by the European Parliament is unclear. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to work with the ‘Comprehensive Investment Agreement’ (Engl.: Comprehensive Agreement on Investment; CAI). In the public debate, climate, labour and human rights aspects are often discussed. At least as often, however, the EU Commission and other relevant actors act in favour of economic interests. The briefing, published by PowerShift and ten other civil society organisations, takes a nuanced look at CAI as part of EU trade and investment policy. We reject the ratification of CAI because climate and environmental protection, human rights, labour and social standards remain far too vague in the agreement.
The search for a differentiated approach to the Chinese government and a corresponding EU-China policy is a major challenge. Not only the different economic and political interests of the EU member states, their industries and civil society organisations must be taken into account, but also the tense relationship between China and the USA. A credible reorientation of EU-China policy must get civil society in China and Europe on board.
European civil society must critically accompany the reorientation of the EU-China policy in cooperation with its partners in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, while being a perceptible but differentiated voice.
Our criticism of CAI does not primarily refer to the fact that the agreement with the People's Republic of China is to be concluded - but that it further enshrines economic liberalisation in favour of export-oriented, globally active companies and investors. The commitment to the protection of climate and environment, human and labour rights must be a clear starting point and anchor for the EU’s trade and investment agreements with third countries. Accordingly, it must be made binding in the agreements.
The briefing is published by PowerShift, AITEC, attac Germany, attac Austria, FNV (Dutch National Trade Union), Forum Umwelt & Entwicklung, Handel Anders!, Plattform Anders Handeln, Urgewald, TNI (Transnational Institute) and TROCA – Plataforma por um Comércio Internacional Justo.
Image source: Road Trip with Raj/ Unsplash