The advantages of the free trade agreement with Japan for business in the European Union

25.9.2012

Question for written answer E-008430-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Hans-Peter Martin (NI)

In Press Release IP/12/810 from 18 July 2012, the Commission reports that a trade deal between the EU and Japan ‘could boost the EU’s GDP by almost one per cent’.

Exports in the areas of machinery and motor vehicles (EUR 16.3 billion) and chemical products (EUR 13 billion) jointly accounted for approx. 60 % of EU exports to Japan. Furthermore, approx. 76.5 % of the EU’s imports from Japan were also in these areas.

1. Will the growth in the EU’s GDP predicted by the Commission be limited to the areas of machinery and motor vehicles, as well as chemical and agricultural products?

2. According to the Commission, what proportion of GDP growth will affect (a) small and (b) medium-sized enterprises?

In 2011, the EU was only the third most important trading partner for Japan in terms of both imports and exports, behind China and the United States of America.

3. Does the Commission expect that the conclusion of a trade agreement will mean that the EU will gain further importance for Japanese trade?

OJ C 277 E, 26/09/2013