ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the historical trade relations between the East African Community (EAC) and the European Union (EU), and argues that the unbalanced power relations that characterized the relationship between the two regions in the past need not contribute to the enfeeble-ment of the EAC in international trade relations in the future. The forging of post-colonial economic ties between Europe and Africa can be traced back to the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957. During the negotiations that led to the signing of the Treaty, France proposed the inclusion of the geopolitical concept of 'Eurafrica', the key objective of which was to bind Africa to Western Europe. The proposed EAC EPA in its current form is an imposition that may have long-term detrimental effects on the economic development of the region; however, the EAC states do not have to conform to the diktats of the EU.
