Background information on EPAs

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) came about as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled that the previous trading arrangement between the EU and ACP was unfair to other developing countries and both blocs were given until 31 December 2007 to come up with an alternative arrangement. That arrangement was meant to herald a new partnership between the EU and ACP. However, the negotiating reality has been very different as the EU pushed a heavy liberalization agenda on ACP countries. . 

Despite the passing of the World Trade Organisation deadline for a new agreement of 31 December 2007, many African countries have not signed these deals because of their fears about the impact on their economies and made clear their anger at the way the EU had handled the negotiations. Many of those countries who have not signed are Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and, as such, can use another trading arrangement within the EU that, although not as generous as the previous system, is felt to be better pending an improvement in the negotiating terms with the EU. 

Of those who did sign in the Caribbean and Pacific, many commentators believe that it was because they feared what would happen when the old arrangement ceased and they'd be placed on a different tariff arrangement for their products as of 1 January 2008. Given that these countries are not Least Developed Countries they would not be able to take the option that would be favoured by many African countries as they did not qualify for those terms.

The appointment of Catherine Ashton as EU Trade Commissioner in October 2007 did mean a change in negotiating style away from the overtly bullying tactics used under Peter Mandelson's reign. 

Malawi recently announced in June 2009 that it would not sign until a number of contentious issues had been dealt with. 

Campaigners in the Global South and in Europe continue to campaign against these unfair trade deals.