The European Union Vis-a-Vis Brazil and India: Future Avenues in Selected Trade Policy Areas

Abstract

This paper analyzes the potential of partnerships of the European Union (EU) with two of the so-called BRIC countries, i.e., Brazil and India. The scope of analysis will be the EU vis-a-vis these two countries, using two types of trade liberalization: bilateralism/regionalism and multilateralism. The paper argues that the EU's objective of engaging with Brazil and India is to establish peace, security, and prosperity in the XXI century. The paper also argues that there remains substantial scope for Brazil and India to make further commitments towards greater liberalization within the services sectors and within all modes of supply provided in the General Agreement on Trade in Services. It will also be argued that the attitude of Brazil and India to multilateralism and responsibility in global governance is questionable or unclear. Both countries want to become more important players; yet, they seem to lean against "old" powers (mainly the U.S.), and tend to focus on South-South regionalism.

Keywords: Brazil, India, trade, agriculture, temporary migration, European Union

JEL Classification: K33