ABSTRACT
The quest for reciprocity has been central to the European Union’s (EU) negotiations on a post-Lomé trade framework (1996-2000) and on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) (2002-2008). This chapter seeks to understand why the EU has consistently argued for reciprocity in reforming its trade relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. In particular, we analyse to what extent Europe’s position has been influenced by economic interests in terms of market access and energy supply. It appears that the Union’s direct economic interests in reciprocal trade are limited, and that other lines of explanation need to be introduced. Further, the chapter also qualifies the argument that reciprocity was pursued out of necessity to comply with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In order to explain why the objectives of free trade and WTO compatibility have been so deeply entrenched in the EU’s preferences, one needs to consider Europe’s role as a global trading power. As an offensive power in international trade relations, the EU has to sustain the credibility of the WTO regime and establish good relations with the emerging and non-ACP developing countries. In addition, the European position has been driven by the belief that reciprocal free trade constitutes the best recipe for economic development in the South. Whereas this ideological factor has been somewhat softened in recent years, the economic relevance of non-ACP markets and the limitations from the WTO legal framework have only increased.
