Offaly MEP calls for "pragmatic" EU trade agreement with China

Offaly's Barry Cowen, the Fianna Fáil MEP for the Midlands North-West, has called for a "pragmatic and constructive" approach to trade relations between the EU and China.

MEP Cowen's comments were made in a contribution to the European Parliament’s Agri committee, and follow on from the recent meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dublin, where discussions focused on trade, human rights and global geopolitical issues.

With China being Ireland’s largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region - totaling €36 billion in bilateral trade in 2023 - MEP Cowen stressed the importance of fostering "fair and sustainable competition" while acknowledging the broader challenges posed by shifting global trade dynamics.

"I personally have and previously have been part of parliamentary discussions with the Chinese Government both at home and in Beijing," said MEP Cowen.

"And, notwithstanding differences on many issues, I always found them, to be quite honest, to be pragmatic. I recently met with members of the office of the Chinese Ambassador to the EU here in Brussels.

"I know our Taoiseach (recently) met with the Chinese Foreign Minister. It seems fairly obvious to me that they, no more than the rest of us, are very conscious of the erratic trade conditions that now exist for all blocs and countries with the likes of the US.

"I think they honestly want to see common sense prevail.

"I'm sure that they are open to fair and open dialogue. And to that end, I would encourage a withdrawal of the WTO (World Trade Organization) adjudication processes for a period."

The Offaly MEP also called for "the withdrawal of the 85% tariff on lysine imports" as "a sign of goodwill and intention on the part of the EU’s perspective," saying this tariff is "a further costly blow... to agricultural inputs."