Trade War Brewing? French Blockade Threatens EU Deal Fast-Tracking in English

France is preparing to oppose a European Commission proposal aimed at expediting the ratification of trade agreements. The plan involves circulating only English-language versions during negotiations with EU governments and lawmakers, thereby bypassing immediate translation into the bloc’s 24 official languages, according to multiple sources. This move by the Commission stems from frustration over the protracted ratification of contentious deals, such as the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, and a desire to accelerate negotiations and bring agreements into force more swiftly amidst rising geopolitical tensions and the search for new markets.

Translating these complex agreements into every official EU language is a time-consuming process, often taking months due to the extensive legal scrubbing required before ratification can even begin. EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič reportedly informed EU trade ministers in February that a recently concluded trade deal with India, finalized on January 27, could serve as a pilot case for this English-only approach during ratification. Šefčovič underscored the economic costs of delays, stating that the EU lost nearly €300 billion in GDP and over €200 billion in export opportunities by not having the Mercosur agreement in place since 2021. He emphasized that in today's fast-paced world, the EU cannot afford to lose up to 2.5 years between the end of negotiations and businesses operating in partner countries. The Commission's plan is to ensure agreements are translated into all 24 official EU languages only after their publication in the Official Journal, post-ratification. Šefčovič noted that at least seven member states backed the proposal during the meeting, though not all had the opportunity to express their views.

However, French officials have made it clear to Euronews that Paris intends to vigorously resist the shift to English-only agreements if necessary. A French official stated, "As a matter of principle, we defend the use of all the languages of the Union, and in particular French, which is one of the EU’s working languages." Language policy within the bloc’s institutions remains a politically sensitive topic, particularly for countries like France, where the use of French has significantly declined over recent decades. English has become overwhelmingly dominant in the daily operations of EU institutions, despite French, German, and English being the three official working languages.

Another French official raised concerns, pointing out that "Switching entirely to English raises a legal and democratic issue, and the Commission is well aware of it." The European Commission’s own website affirms the essential nature of linguistic diversity and its commitment to promoting multilingualism in its institutional work. Historically, the bloc even had a dedicated commissioner for multilingualism, though this portfolio was eventually merged and discontinued. Michele Gazzola, an expert in language policy, expressed his impression that "in some cases the Commission seizes the opportunity to push the idea that English has a superior status, and that the other official languages are translation languages that can come later." Gazzola also cautioned that relying solely on English during the ratification process could create problems for members of the European Parliament and even greater challenges if national parliaments are involved, stressing that it is a matter of "transparency, precision and understanding."