Renew Europe welcomed the announcement of the EU–Indonesia trade agreement, a major step forward for Europe’s global trade agenda. The deal will reduce tariffs, strengthen supply chains and open new opportunities for European businesses, while securing access to critical raw materials.
Reacting to the agreement, Bart Groothuis MEP (VVD, NL), spokesperson on EU–Indonesia trade, said:
"The new EU–Indonesia trade agreement is a significant breakthrough: it will greatly reduce tariffs, save European exporters around 600 million euros a year, and open a fast-growing market while securing access to critical raw materials like cobalt, copper and tin."
"It is only the first of many new trade agreements. If the world trade system sneezes, Europe catches a cold. Now that the world trade system caught a severe cold, Europe needs new partners. We must build on this momentum and speed up trade deals – nine years of negotiations was too long. Focus on trade, and make separate tracks on human rights, environment and political issues."
Marie-Pierre Vedrenne MEP (MoDem, FR), Renew Europe coordinator in the European Parliament Committee on International Trade, emphasised:
"By concluding an agreement with Indonesia, Europe is reaffirming its choice of cooperation over coercion, contrary to what some would like to impose. This strategic partnership, based on mutual commitments, illustrates once again that it is possible to combine influence and respect, despite the demands that this entails. At a time when we need to combine sovereignty, sustainability and competitiveness, the construction of secure and resilient value chains depends on strong political and economic alliances."
Renew Europe will remain at the forefront of driving ambitious, modern trade agreements that deliver growth, resilience and strategic partnerships for Europe.