Africa’s refusal to sign economic deals a sign of changing EU relationship

The rejection by most African countries of Economic Partnership Agreements proposed by the EU is a sign of the changing nature of the relationship between the two blocs. The EPAs are alternatives to current preferential deals enjoyed by former colonies that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) says must end.

But most African countries, backed by aid agencies, say Europe’s proposals would expose them to too much competition. Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade said any talk about EPAs is over. “We’ve rejected them,” he insisted. “We’re now going to meet to see what we can put in the place of EPAs.”

The Chairman of the African Union Commission, Alpha Oumar Konar�, agreed but was more conciliatory. He said: “There are points of disagreement but the situation has not broken down. We’ll continue to negotiate to find fair overall solutions.” Former colonies in Africa, and also in the Caribbean and the Pacific, are insisting on other options, perhaps encouraged by growing interest in their trade from China.

The EU has not yet decided if it will raise tariffs on goods from medium-sized African economies, as the WTO is asking it to do from January.

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