In this new episode of Rethinking Europe, our host Claudia Azevedo is joined by Poorva Karkare (Policy Officer specialised in African industrialization and regional integration at the ECDPM) and Colette van der Ven (Founder and Director of the Geneva-based consultancy TULIP and associate researcher on trade and environmental sustainability at Europe Jacques Delors). Together, we will delve into: What’s missing in the EU’s current strategy? How can its partnerships move beyond rhetoric to deliver mutual gains in practice? And what would a truly equitable deal look like?
A key priority of the new European Commission is to build stronger alliances with developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to secure access to raw materials, clean energy, and technologies while diversifying strategic supply chains. As the EU races to meet its climate goals amid geopolitical tensions, it is deploying a mix of partnerships - from traditional free trade agreements (FTAs) to newer, flexible models like the recently announced Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs). But with partner countries already weighing competing proposals from global powers like China and the US, critical questions emerge: Can the EU craft an offer attractive enough to stand out?
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts and Amazon/Audible.
