Trade Policy Committee (TPC) - Main contents

The Committee advises and assists the Commission in negotiating and concluding trade agreements with governments or international organisations.

The Committee deals with trade policy matters within 3 main areas:

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  issues related to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
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  bilateral trade relations
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  new EU legislation within the trade policy area when it needs to be examined by the Council.

The Trade Policy Committee's 'full members' configuration meets once a month. Once every 6 months it meets for an informal meeting in the country that holds the rotating presidency of the Council.

The deputies of the Committee meet once a week.

Another configuration of this Committee – the Trade Policy Committee (Services and Investments) – assists and advises the Commission when it is negotiating on behalf of the EU in the WTO and with third countries. Its main areas of responsibility are:

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  agreements on trade in services
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  investment and investment protection
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  services and investment-related matters in free trade agreements
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  separate investment protection agreements between the EU and third countries.

The Trade Policy Committee has an elected chair and its secretariat is provided by the Commission.