Further action against Myanmar and the EBA trade regime
7.4.2021
Question for written answer E-001852/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D)
In view of the worsening situation in Myanmar, the United States has introduced a series of measures against the military regime in the country. These measures targeted two holding companies operated and controlled by the military, MEC and MEHL. In the first stage a number of restrictions were imposed on these companies[1]; in the second they were hit with sanctions[2]. The United States then temporarily suspended the 2013 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Myanmar[3]. While this agreement does not regulate trade between the two countries, the US Trade Representative stated that she would also reassess, together with Congress, Myanmar’s eligibility to participate in the US Generalized System of Preferences.
I have noted that these actions are similar to the issues we raised in our written question to the Commission two months ago, in which we asked whether the EU would re-examine the question of trade, including Myanmar’s eligibility for the ‘Everything But Arms’ trade scheme, in particular because of its impact on the European and Spanish rice sector[4].
In the light of this action by the United States:
- 1.What is the Commission’s position on this?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to take similar measures, including reviewing the temporary suspension of the EBA trade regime or imposing sanctions on military conglomerates?
- 3.Will the Commission take the European rice sector into consideration in this matter?
- [1] United States Department of Commerce, ‘Commerce Implements New Export Controls on Burma and Makes Entity List Additions in Response to the Military Coup and Escalating Violence against Peaceful Protesters’, Press Release, 4 March 2021.
- [2] United States Department of the Treasury, ‘Treasury Sanctions Military Holding Companies in Burma’, Press Release, 25 March 2021.
- [3] Office of the United States Trade Representative, ‘USTR Suspends Trade Engagement with Burma following Military Coup and Violence against Civilians’, Press Release, 29 March 2021.
- [4] Question for written answer E-000696/2021 to the Commission.