The economics of European inegration

14 important questions on The economics of European inegration

With the completion of the single market, the EU became an economic union. What did this mean?

  • NO tariffs between member states
  • Common trade policy
  • Free movements of goods and services
  • Free movements of labour and capital
  • Common macro-economic policies.

After becoming an economic union the next logical step for Europe was an Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). What does this mean?

Single market and common currency; in 1992 it was agreed that 5 criteria determine whether a country is ready to join the EMU and adopt the EURO

What is the stability and growth pact? (SGP)

After EMU SGP was designed, it is a set of rules to ensure economies of all EU countries are moving in the same direction. Only 7 out of 19 countries passed the test in 2017, main criteria;
  • budget deficit no higher than 3%
  • government debt lower than 60% of GDP
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What does price stability mean? (the Maastricht criteria)

Measured by inflation rate )change in average price level over time). High inflation rate erodes the purchasing power of money, increases uncertainty and decreases the stability of a currency.
EMU rule: inflation should be no more than 1,5% above that of the three members with the lowest inflation rates of the last year

What is interest rate? (the Maastricht criteria)

Is the price of money that the price-borrowers pay for the use of money they do not own. High interest rates can cause investments to decrease which in turn will lead to lower economic growth.
EMU rule: the long-term interest rate should be no more than 2% above that of the three members with the lowest inflation rate in the previous year.

What is budget deficit? (the maastricht criteria)

Governments revenue's minus governments expenditures in one year. A government needs to borrow money to finance its budget deficit, this may lead to a higher inflation rate.
EMU rule: budget deficit must generally be below 3% of the GDP.

What is government debt? (the maastricht criteria)

The accumulated budget deficit over time (all money owed by any level of the government). This is to prevent member states having small budget deficits (2,5% of GDP) over a long period of time.
EMU rule: government debts should be below 60% of the GDP

What is exchange rate stability? (the maastricht criteria)

The value of one currency in terms of another currency. Large exchange rate fluctuations will create uncertainty and cause differences in the value of the currencies of countries participation in an economic union.
EMU rule: the exchange rate should have stayed within predefined fluctuations margins for two years.

What is the role of the European Central Bank?

Plays a crucial role in achieving stability in euro area. It does so by setting interests rates for its dealing with banks in such a way that it will keep prices | The euro area stable. It aims to keep inflation close to, but less than, 2% in the medium term.

What are the basic features of EU trade and investment policies?

Strong interest in open markets and clear regulatory framework need to reinforce EU competitiveness on world markets -> responsibility towards EU citizens and the rest of the world.

What are the three different dimensions of trade and investment policy?

1. Multilateral
2. Bilateral
3. Unilateral

What is the multilateral dimension?

Negotiations on global scale -> world trade organization (WTO)
Big questions:
  • where are we today?
  • will this make a difference for development?
  • will this be a good deal?
  • will we get there in the end?

What is the bilateral dimension?

Globally more than 200 FTAs(free trade area). Covering more than 35% of global trade. FTAs top up what can be done in WTO. 'Extended' regionalism e.g. TTIP

What is the unilateral dimension ?

  • Generalised scheme of preferences (GSP)
    • standard GSP
    • everything but arms (EBA)
    • GSP+
  • Trade defense instruments
    • anti-dumping
    • anti-subsidy
    • safeguard measures

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