Commission suggests using trade to pressure African states on migration

The plan offers money to countries in exchange for controlling migration flows.

A Commission’s announcement today of a cash-for-cooperation migration deal with Africa could involve using trade to prod countries that don’t cooperate.

A Commission release states that “a mix of positive and negative incentives will be integrated into the EU’s development and trade policies to reward those countries willing to cooperate effectively with the EU on migration management and ensure there are consequences for those who refuse.”

The plan offers money to countries in exchange for promising to control migration flows and could include as much as €8 billion over the next five years.

“We will allocate these funds depending on the willingness of a country to work with us,” an official said. Countries that don’t cooperate could face reduced EU funding.

MEP Manfred Weber endorsed using trade penalties for countries that don’t cooperate.

“If our partners in Africa are not cooperating on migrant returns, then there should be consequences in the trade agreements,” he said.

However, while Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said at a press conference that “we should try to avoid a situation arising,” he then went on to say that the Commission wanted all instruments at its disposal, which could imply that they might involve negative trade incentives as well.

Jacopo Barigazzi contributed reporting.

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