Trade defence reshuffle

While the EU is split over the reform of its trade defence instrument (TDI), the European Commission’s unit in charge of that sensitive file is going through an important reshuffle. The Director, Harald F.Wenig, was replaced by Stefaan Depypere, previously head of the resources and economic analysis unit of DG Trade, on 11 February, Europolitics has learned. Some experts see this change as a signal of EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson’s determination to implement his reform agenda, despite opposition from key member states. Wenig, who becomes Director of the Market Access and Industry Unit, is seen as a partisan of a robust use of TDIs, while Mandelson, supported by the most free trade-oriented member states, favours a more cautious use of those instruments. (SFA)

Source Europolitics No 3471