The European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) debated three agenda items on 6 May 2026, revealing divergent positions on trade policy priorities. On EU-Africa relations, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič presented the new EU-Africa Trade and Investment Partnership, focusing on sustainable infrastructure and digital trade. EPP rapporteur Christophe Hansen welcomed the green transition focus but called for stronger intellectual property protections. S&D's Kathleen Van Brempt pushed for binding human rights clauses, while Renew's Marie-Pierre Vedrenne stressed SME support. Greens-EFA's Anna Cavazzini criticised the lack of environmental safeguards. The committee agreed to hold a hearing with African Union representatives in June.
On the EU-Republic of Korea mutual recognition agreement, Commissioner Šefčovič noted it would reduce technical barriers for industrial goods. EPP's Jan Zahradil supported the deal as a boost for EU exporters, while The Left's Helmut Scholz questioned its impact on labour standards. The committee voted to recommend approval, with a plenary vote scheduled for June.
On the suspension of trade provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, S&D's Pedro Marques called for immediate suspension over human rights concerns, supported by The Left and Greens-EFA. EPP's Antonio Tajani argued for maintaining dialogue, while Renew's Dita Charanzová proposed a conditional suspension linked to compliance with international law. The committee postponed a decision, requesting a legal opinion from the Commission.
Affected stakeholders include EU exporters to Africa and Korea, African agricultural producers, Israeli and Palestinian businesses, and civil society groups monitoring human rights.