European Business Groups Warn EU over Protectionism

(The Telegraph – Angela Monaghan)

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has joined forces with some of its European counterparts to warn against protectionist measures in the wake of the global recession. In a letter to the European Union Council, the eight signatories opposed a proposal to make it compulsory to place labels on goods imported to the EU marking their origin. The representatives from the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland and Sweden, as well as Britain, argued that the proposal was discriminatory.

“The proposed regulation discriminates against products manufactured outside the EU. It is difficult for EU leaders to criticise the Buy American initiative if they are going to support this proposal,” they said. “Adding a new requirement on top of existing ones would only result in raising the financial and administrative burden for importers.”

The proposal is being discussed by the European Commission and the business groups have intervened in the hope that they can influence the decision. Read more here