16 April – The Future of Global Free Trade

Free trade is a polarizing issue and it is often used as a mean to advance a political agenda by both the left and the right. While many politicians strongly support free trade, especially those from export-oriented countries like Sweden, negative sentiments has grown among those who feel like they do not get their share of the gains. These sentiments have been used to channel support for far-right candidates like Marine Le Pen and Donald Trump, but also for those on the opposite side of the spectrum, like Bernie Sanders.
The European Union has for long been an advocate of free trade but is now facing a backlash from on one hand political parties in member states, but on the other from important trade partners like the United States. The concept of free trade might not be in jeopardy right now but the future looks uncertain.
We at the Uppsala Association of Foreign Affairs are therefore honored to welcome the European Union’s trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström who, with her expertise as the negotiator of numerous free trade agreements, will try to shed some light on what the future holds and share her views on the possibilities and problems with global free trade.
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Cecilia Malmström is Sweden’s representative to the EU-commission and acts as the Commissioner for Trade. She has overseen many free trade agreements ranging from the TTIP with the United States to the recent agreement with Japan. Before becoming a commissioner Cecilia Malmström has served as both a member of the European parliament and as the EU-minister of Sweden.
This lecture will be held in English.
Date: 2017-04-16
Time: 5:00-6:15 PM
Place: Hall IX, University Main Building
Admission: Free for members, 60 kr for non-members. A one-year membership can be purchased at the event for 100 SEK.
Supported by Folkuniversitetet.