The European Commission will shortly release a Communication on the implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative launched in 2008. The initiative, which pressures developing countries to give EU companies the same access rights to their raw materials as local companies, has been branded a “resource grab” and a “new scramble for Africa” by anti-poverty campaigners.

The main targets of the initiative are China, Russia and Ukraine, as well as African countries. Critics of the EU’s policy argue that restricting foreign access to natural resources is crucial for development, and point to success stories such as South Korea which developed rapidly while strongly protecting its industries against foreign ownership.

Campaigners have also condemned the EU’s Trade, Growth and World Affairs policy more broadly for its hypocritical promotion of deregulation in developing countries while the EU market remains highly regulated.

British charity War on Want said that the EU tries to "force open world markets for the benefit of European business with no regard for the social or environmental consequences."

War on Want director John Hilary said: "The EU's new trade policy could not be more regressive if it tried.”

"Instead of developing positive new strategies for jobs and welfare, the EU is seeking to revive the failed neoliberal agenda of the past 30 years,” he added.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• Morning Star