The European Parliament

The Treaty of Lisbon formally increased the European Parliament’s (EP) powers in the trade policy of the EU, elevating its status to that of co-legislator in the process, after over a decade of the EP pursuing a greater role in this area. The Convention model of the early 2000s that incorporated the EP in treaty-making assisted the EP in persuading other EU institutions of the desirability of such a move, which enhanced the legitimacy of EU actions. This chapter charts the process whereby the EP was empowered in trade policy, and focuses on some key examples of how the EP has used these new powers in practice (in the ratification stage of the EU-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement and in the negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership). The examples illustrate how the EP has been involved in all aspects and phases of trade negotiations, and, crucially, how its new powers have made it the target of increased lobbying activity and pressures. The chapter ends by speculating on potential future developments in trade policy resulting from these new dynamics.