In an article in this blog of last December – addressing the intransigence of the attitude of France, who was speaking on behalf of the EU, about issue of trade negotiations desired by the US – we warned against the possible isolation of Paris in case where Germany, among others, was to be conciliatory on the opening of negotiations wanted by President Trump. It happens that Brussels just received, yesterday, the green light from the EU member states to start such negotiations with the US Administration to the great displeasure of France who was the only country within the UE to be opposed. More importantly, it is becoming increasingly clear that the negotiations will also seek to harmonize standards for agricultural products, something President Trump is very keen on, to find a solution. In this regard, the assumption of the establishment, on both sides, of bodies to validate the conformity of products exported / imported to the EU / US, to mutually defined standards, will help undoubtedly to the de-dramatization of the (currently unresolved) conflict over non-tariff barriers between the US and the EU. That would be a relief for us too here in Africa.
Indeed, the dilemma (dealt with in other articles of this blog), of non-tariff barriers, of which the EU standards for agricultural products are a colossal part, has been hindering for decades the trading of African products of the agriculture sector. Given their complexity (and politicization), it is unlikely that these barriers will fall in a short time. But, with regard to Africa’s exchanges with other external countries, any rapprochement between the US and the EU on this subject would be good to take. In one way or another, this will positively contribute to export opportunities for our continent’s agricultural resources to other promising markets without (formally) offending EU officials.
In a very schematic and very succinct way, we would say that European countries have developed, over the course of colonization, an “obsessive possessive syndrome” towards Africa, and this syndrome is unfortunately the most apparent in our French friends. Without excusing that, perhaps we could try and understand it as, most likely, the Americans did. The US must have deducted that France keeps in its files important cards that support its relations with its former colonies and that attempts to “uproot” Paris would be much more expensive in effort, money and time than to try to work in intelligence with her to no longer be excluded from trade with West African zone. But France, and this is the problem, is so ticklish on her prerogatives on our countries, that considers her pre-square, that she has cared little to prepare the ground in the optic of collaborating with other countries, even the Americans themselves. So, the talks, which President Trump insists on launching immediately with Brussels, could be an opportunity for us Africans to play the Samaritans in the litigation over the norms that oppose American and European for almost thirty years.
First, the facts, and opinion polls, show that European companies are increasingly behind compared to companies from other continents. The whole world is aware of the persistent stagnation of the EU market. Thus, if the ECB (European Central Bank) have difficulties to find a taker for its offer of zero interest credit, it is because European operators are running out of ideas on how to beat their international competitors on, in particular, the African market. Our European friends, in disarray, are therefore in need of reassurance. We should tell them, for example, that we will not let them down to the extent that our goods delivered to them be used for their own needs and not for speculative operations behind our backs.
Then there is the language. French, judged as a European expression, is a beautiful language. It is less spoken than Spanish on a global scale but is a great tool for exchange between the countries of West Africa. As we know, this region is a priority for Morocco in terms of trade and French will therefore be useful for us. Of course, the mastery of English is essential for insertion into the world today. But, Shakespeare’s language is fortunate to have its own tools to be appreciated, especially by the younger generation, through the internet, social networks, games and other entertainment channels. English is also easier to access than French via the indicated sources. In short, we should consider French as an additional wealth and not as a disadvantage for our openness to Africa. Moreover, the statistics show that if almost everyone practices French in Morocco as a second language, millions of Moroccans speak English and / or Spanish. In this case, we can serve as a link between American investors who want to come to us and the French already installed and who do not master English.
Of course, the question of non-tariff standards remains. On this subject, it is worth remembering that the Americans and the Chinese have been working for months to bring their points of view about the commercial relations that concern them. Standards are one topic among others. Indeed, not China or the other Asian countries, or South America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Gulf countries or others are in conflict with the FDA standards (American standards for food). This is a comfortable majority of countries on the planet working according to harmonized standards. However, this fact has never prevented a country or another from resorting to safeguard clauses to protect its interests, which the International Codex Regulations provide for in a timely manner. According to this approach, the dialogue between partners and / or commercial adversaries can take place in relatively serene conditions without overbidding or “Principles of precaution” open on all the possible interpretations and their opposite.
All in all, if the negotiations between the US and the EU take place according to the wish of the overwhelming majority of the countries committed to it, as is already happening between China and the US, we, Africans, will begin trading our agricultural products with everyone without exclusive. Africa is waiting for this moment for a long time.
