国际英语新闻：EU sets assertive trade strategy for next five years

BRUSSELS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Tuesday unveiled an assertive trade strategy for the next five years in a bid to open foreign markets for European Union (EU) businesses.

EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said trade was working for Europe's economic recovery by ensuring growth and jobs.

"A renewed trade strategy will open markets and connect Europe to the main sources and regions of global growth ... My aim is to ensure that European business gets a fair deal and that our rights are respected so that all of us can enjoy the benefits of trade," he said.

The commission said the new strategy focused on a more assertive trade policy that involved delivering what has already been underway and adapting the EU's approach to changes in the global economy.

European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht addresses a news conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels November 9, 2010.

Market access would continue to be a central part of the new strategy, with particular attention on issues such as intellectual property protection, access to key raw materials and energy security.

The commission was ready to table a legislative proposal next year for a new EU instrument that would help secure access to public procurement markets in developed countries and large emerging market economies.

Public procurement markets are lucrative as they account for over 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in large developed countries and are taking up a growing share in emerging economies.

The EU had said its procurement market is one of the most open, but European businesses cannot always get equal or easy access to foreign markets.

By introducing a new instrument to force others to open public procurement markets, the EU is running the risk of more trade frictions. Its frequent use of traditional trade defense instruments, such as anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, have already met criticism from trading partners.