European Union - Politics

Indeks : p.165-172 ; Trade in services, foreign direct investment and sales by affiliates of foreign-owend companies have grown more rapidly than trade in goods, making national rules and regulations more significant barriers to trade. The effects of 'non-trade' policies on trade have engaged new actors in trade politics, not least in the Europea Union (EU). The emergence of a more active bloc of developing countries alongside a vibrant international civil society, including enviromental and consumer groups and ministries, have made trade politics increasingly lively, compex, and challenging for the EU. Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization has become not only a primary focus for EU trade policy but also a lightning rod for protest, a powerful 'legaliser' or trade diplomacy, and an arena where it is often difficult, even impossible, to separate from public interests.