International Affairs / Belgian PM Bart De Wever Hails India-EU FTA as Buffer Against Arbitrary Tariffs
·1 hour ago·5 min read
Key Points
Belgian PM Bart De Wever highlighted the India-EU FTA as a structural buffer against arbitrary unilateral tariffs, saying it makes economies resilient against disruption and coercion.
Mumbai, Sep 4: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Friday highlighted the resilience of India and the European Union’s economies, saying their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has strengthened their ability to withstand disruption and coercion. His remarks came without directly naming US President Donald Trump over his recent decisions to impose tariffs on several countries.
Terming the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement a cornerstone for strategic trust, PM De Wever stressed that finalising comprehensive FTAs is Europe’s priority to counter global supply chain shocks. He noted that the FTA would serve as a structural buffer against arbitrary unilateral tariffs.
"Ladies and gentlemen, more and more voices today are calling for barriers to go up, for markets to be shut off, for tariffs to be imposed. Some do this entirely arbitrarily. They decide something on Monday, they revoke it on Wednesday. I am not going to say the name, but you know these people who do it arbitrarily, without any economic logic at all," he said at the India- Belgium high level dialogue on the India- EU FTA jointly organised by Port of Antwerp -Bruges, the Chancellery of Belgian Prime Minister, FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade and the Consulate-General of Belgium in Mumbai.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present.
Terming the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement a cornerstone for strategic trust, PM De Wever stressed that finalising comprehensive FTAs is Europe’s priority to counter global supply chain shocks. He noted that the FTA would serve as a structural buffer against arbitrary unilateral tariffs.
"Ladies and gentlemen, more and more voices today are calling for barriers to go up, for markets to be shut off, for tariffs to be imposed. Some do this entirely arbitrarily. They decide something on Monday, they revoke it on Wednesday. I am not going to say the name, but you know these people who do it arbitrarily, without any economic logic at all," he said at the India- Belgium high level dialogue on the India- EU FTA jointly organised by Port of Antwerp -Bruges, the Chancellery of Belgian Prime Minister, FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade and the Consulate-General of Belgium in Mumbai.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present.
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Referencing the broader geopolitical shifts -- including global tariff uncertainties and aggressive protectionism, PM De Wever emphasised that open, mid-sized trading economies like Belgium and rapidly expanding powerhouses like India cannot afford economic isolation or weaponised trade barriers.
Referring to the earlier speech of Union Minister Goyal, who used the symbolism of a diamond getting created under pressure, the Belgian PM reiterated that pressure creates diamonds.
"We are sailing through rough waters. But India and Europe, we have made a choice to be that diamond; we choose another course. If we are pressured, we are pressured together, and we choose partnership. In January, we concluded one of the most far-reaching free trade agreements in the world. The mother of all deals, with a market of two billion consumers, a quarter of the world economy. But it is much more than that alone. It is an expression of strategic openness. It is an expression of the willingness to trust; it is the proof of mutual respect. It makes our economies resilient against disruption and against coercion. Together we stand stronger, open, self-assured, and to the benefit of both, our cooperation is directed towards an international order that is more stable, more prosperous and better in balance," he said.
The Prime Minister announced that a full delegation from the Belgian port community companies, terminals, logistics, chemistry, and energy will be coming to India in February 2027.
"We are not going to discuss what we might do; we are going to agree on what we are going to do," he said.
PM De Wever also said PM Narendra Modi is a wise leader and one of the most inspiring world leaders.
Referring to the earlier speech of Union Minister Goyal, who used the symbolism of a diamond getting created under pressure, the Belgian PM reiterated that pressure creates diamonds.
"We are sailing through rough waters. But India and Europe, we have made a choice to be that diamond; we choose another course. If we are pressured, we are pressured together, and we choose partnership. In January, we concluded one of the most far-reaching free trade agreements in the world. The mother of all deals, with a market of two billion consumers, a quarter of the world economy. But it is much more than that alone. It is an expression of strategic openness. It is an expression of the willingness to trust; it is the proof of mutual respect. It makes our economies resilient against disruption and against coercion. Together we stand stronger, open, self-assured, and to the benefit of both, our cooperation is directed towards an international order that is more stable, more prosperous and better in balance," he said.
The Prime Minister announced that a full delegation from the Belgian port community companies, terminals, logistics, chemistry, and energy will be coming to India in February 2027.
"We are not going to discuss what we might do; we are going to agree on what we are going to do," he said.
PM De Wever also said PM Narendra Modi is a wise leader and one of the most inspiring world leaders.
Earlier, Union Minister Goyal said that the India-EU FTA is a win-win agreement.
Also Read: India Sends 95 Tonnes of Relief to Nepal; 54 Personnel, 7 Aircraft Deployed; 275 Indians Still Missing
"India-EU FTA was in the making for 25 years. It is a win-win agreement; it will open opportunities for farmers, start-ups, women entrepreneurs; it has something for everyone. It’s been deftly negotiated, protecting sensitive sectors on both sides. There is not one murmur on the India-EU FTA. All 27 countries are on board, supportive and unanimous about the FTA, which is rare. Every section of India has supported. It offers huge potential for both sides," he said.
"India and Belgium have a choice to be swept by the chaos or build trust and cooperation. We chose to build, connect and work together. Belgian and Indian economies complement each other," he added.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the state wants Belgium to be part of its journey to a trillion-dollar economy. Maharashtra would like to contribute and be the principal engine of this growth story, he said.
"I want to make a direct invitation. If Belgian companies are looking at India for investment after the FTA, look and come to Maharashtra. We have a manufacturing ecosystem. This should become a template for Belgium-Maharashtra partnerships,” he added.
Fadnavis said the state is keen to become the first in the country to put the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into practice.
Calling for faster implementation of Belgium-Maharashtra projects, Fadnavis said Belgian companies identifying projects in the state would receive dedicated support from the Maharashtra government. “Belgium-Maharashtra projects must be fast-tracked. If Belgian companies identify projects, we will dedicate a team and work with Belgium to make it happen. Come to Maharashtra and from Maharashtra serve India and the world. Maharashtra is volunteering to convert strategic direction into action,” he added.
(IANS)
Also Read: India Sends 95 Tonnes of Relief to Nepal; 54 Personnel, 7 Aircraft Deployed; 275 Indians Still Missing
"India-EU FTA was in the making for 25 years. It is a win-win agreement; it will open opportunities for farmers, start-ups, women entrepreneurs; it has something for everyone. It’s been deftly negotiated, protecting sensitive sectors on both sides. There is not one murmur on the India-EU FTA. All 27 countries are on board, supportive and unanimous about the FTA, which is rare. Every section of India has supported. It offers huge potential for both sides," he said.
"India and Belgium have a choice to be swept by the chaos or build trust and cooperation. We chose to build, connect and work together. Belgian and Indian economies complement each other," he added.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the state wants Belgium to be part of its journey to a trillion-dollar economy. Maharashtra would like to contribute and be the principal engine of this growth story, he said.
"I want to make a direct invitation. If Belgian companies are looking at India for investment after the FTA, look and come to Maharashtra. We have a manufacturing ecosystem. This should become a template for Belgium-Maharashtra partnerships,” he added.
Fadnavis said the state is keen to become the first in the country to put the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into practice.
Calling for faster implementation of Belgium-Maharashtra projects, Fadnavis said Belgian companies identifying projects in the state would receive dedicated support from the Maharashtra government. “Belgium-Maharashtra projects must be fast-tracked. If Belgian companies identify projects, we will dedicate a team and work with Belgium to make it happen. Come to Maharashtra and from Maharashtra serve India and the world. Maharashtra is volunteering to convert strategic direction into action,” he added.
(IANS)
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