The Argumentative Dimension to the EU-Africa EPAs

Abstract

Not only is the participation of developing countries in international trade negotiations growing, so is their influence over the global trade agenda. This article highlights the increasing activism and impact of African states through a detailed study of the current Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) negotiations with the European Union (EU). In examining African resistance to EPAs, the article develops a constructivist approach to North-South trade negotiations that pays close attention to the role of development discourses. We argue that the growing willingness of African states to challenge the EU to deliver on its development promises during the decade-long EPA process was crucial to informing their sustained opposition to the EU"s goal of completing a comprehensive set of sub-regional economic agreements. We document African resistance to EU trade diplomacy in the EPAs, exploring how these otherwise weak countries were able to pursue normative based negotiation strategies by recourse to the EU"s promise of a "development partnership".

Extraversion and the West African EPA Development Programme: realising the development dimension of ACP–EU trade?

“…Certain prioritised sectors (and elites) might gain in the short term -but the medium to long term picture of EPA implementation is bleak in terms of regional development. Therefore, while it is the case that African elites do possess agency in their negotiations with Europe, nevertheless, this does not necessarily translate into greater gains for the population at large as has been often assumed and/or implied within existing studies (Hurt et al 2013;Zartman 1971). Indeed, there should be scepticism as to whether the EPADP resources (if delivered) would be tangibly utilised for the benefit of the private sector (particularly in terms of kleptocracy in the region), and as to whether the business community could in fact thrive in the long-term in the liberalised conditions of the EPA.…”

“…ACP negotiators have delayed the signing of EPAs until European states acquiesce to demands on transitional aid. This is understood by Hurt et al (2013) in terms of the rhetorical entrapment of the EU.…”

“…It questions, however, whether the successful demonstration of elite agency is necessarily 'progressive' in terms of outcomes for poorer citizens. In contrast to Hurt et al (2013), it explores how ACP elites' recourse to strategies of extraversion may have a negative impact for development (Bayart 2010). Namely, deliberate appeals to the 'external' for additional aid monies may not result in positive outcomes.…”

Africa and the rising powers: bargaining for the ‘marginalized many’

“…81 Given the vast power asymmetries with Europe, African negotiators have also relied on norm-based arguments to resist the completion of full EPAs, '"mimetically challenging" the EU over the content of their EPA proposals as well as drawing attention to the EU negotiating behaviors that were clearly antithetical to the European commitment to a "development partnership"'. 82 This realization of a feasible BATNA for African countries has elicited a rearguard response from the established powers, in the form of admoni-tions to African governments to select only partners that are committed to 'a model of sustainable partnership that adds value, rather than extracts it'. 83 …”

“…It is therefore imperative to understand how African states as 'minor powers' 14 are still able to bargain and exert agency in novel ways, especially through norm-based negotiation strategies used as 'weapons of the weak'. 15 Second, there are increasing demands on Africa's negotiating and deliberative capacities, in relation to the rising powers, established powers and international organizations. As Ian Taylor succinctly observes: 'The fact is, Africa is increasingly important in international relations and is more and more attracting interest from a variety of actors at a scale perhaps not witnessed since the original Scramble for Africa.'…”