§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers enable him to initiate, approve, disapprove, or prevent executive action by the European Community or Union to restrict or vary trading arrangements with third countries(a) where no treaties or other agreement schemes exist and (b) when they do. [18036]
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 3 April 1995]: Trading arrangements with third countries are governed by EC Council Regulations 3030/93, 517/94, 519/94 and 3285/94, made under article 113 of the EC treaty in implementation of the common commercial policy. They may be amended by qualified majority in the EC Council, but any amendment must be consistent with the EC's bilateral and multilateral obligations to third countries, including GATT. They all provide for the taking of measures to safeguard EC interests against import surges in specific circumstances. Any member state may initiate the procedures for such measures; the procedures vary, but in all cases the measures may be either approved or disapproved by qualified majority in the EC Council. The position is essentially the same in respect of third countries with which the EC has preferential trading agreements.