European Union trade commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, is sparking controversy with his assertion that the bloc's requirement to translate trade documents into 24 languages is hindering its ability to negotiate and finalize deals. According to Dombrovskis, the time-consuming process of translating documents into multiple languages is creating an obstacle for EU trade negotiators, who are struggling to keep pace with global competitors. Critics argue that the commissioner's proposal to limit the number of languages used in trade agreements would undermine the EU's commitment to linguistic diversity and equality among member states. As the EU looks to strengthen its trade relationships and economic influence, the debate over language requirements raises important questions about the balance between efficiency and cultural identity.


Trade commissioner argues translation into 24 languages slows down bloc’s ability to strike up deals