Robert Sturdy

The European Union’s Commissioner for International Trade, Catherine Ashton, has announced her wish for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to re-appoint her as the United Kingdom’s Commissioner in Brussels for its next five year term, preferably in her current portfolio.

Each member state is entitled to nominate an individual to become Commissioner and the Trade portfolio is one of the most sought after post’s in the European Union’s 27 member executive arm.

The Trade Commissioner has full competence to negotiate trade deals, take action in the WTO and impose duties on imports from countries deemed to be causing harm to EU industry.

The newly elected President of the Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, has already expressed his support for Baroness Ashton.

“While I have had many disagreements with Commissioner Ashton during her time here, most recently over anti-dumping measures on Chinese and Vietnamese made shoes, I believe that she has performed well in her role as European Commissioner.  She has certainly achieved more in two years than Mandelson managed in his time in Brussels and has been far more willing to engage with the European Parliament.

“I hope that if Commissioner Ashton is reappointed to her role that she will continue in her laudable pursuit of free trade deals, opening markets, increasing global trade integration and a conclusion to the Doha round while rejecting protectionist measures.  If the Commissioner continues in these laudable objectives, I am sure that we can work together on a range of issues to advance the United Kingdom’s trading interests in the world.”