Promoting easier trade between Europe and the rest of
the world has been one of the most significant roles of
the EU Commission since the European Community was
founded in 1957. The EU represents its member states in
World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations and has a
responsibility for promoting free trade. While the
European Community played an important role in the
reduction of barriers to trade in the years after World
War II, progress in recent years has been slower. The EU
has been criticised for making it difficult for developing
countries to trade with it, with some suggesting that the
EU is guilty of protectionism.