EU, Séjourné: 'Unbalanced relations with China, protect the most critical sectors'
The Commissioner for the Single Market talks about possible countermeasures pending approval of the Industrial Accelerator Act
from our correspondent Beda Romano
BRUSSELS - Talking about European protectionism is still premature. However, it is clear that the debate at EU level on the need to better defend the single market has taken on a new emphasis. Not for nothing: criticism from China has multiplied in recent times. The confirmation came yesterday during a ministerial debate on the Industrial Accelerator Act, the legislative text providing for the principle of 'Buy European' in certain strategic sectors.
"The exchange between the member countries on the legislative text was useful. It will be our task to transfer the information obtained into a forthcoming compromise text," explained Michael Damianos, the Cypriot industry minister who chaired the ministerial meeting. More optimistic was Single Market Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné, who spoke of 'unprecedented convergence' among member states. "There is now an awareness of the urgency of the situation".
The European Commission presented the Industrial Accelerator Act in March, which is to serve to impose in certain strategic sectors a minimum percentage of European components and environmental requirements in public procurement and the use of subsidies at national level. During yesterday's debate an initial consensus emerged on the principles of this groundbreaking piece of legislation in EU history.
"Germany welcomes the principle of European origin," said the German representative. "We need a strong executive arm to implement the European preference." Also positive about the text, Italy's Minister for Enterprise Adolfo Urso urged the EU to approve it quickly: "The Industrial Accelerator Act cannot enter into force in three years. We will find nothing more to protect in three years'.
The hope is to approve the text by the end of the year, especially as Chinese competition is becoming more aggressive by the day. Commissioner Séjourné calculated yesterday that Europe's trade deficit with the Asian country is 'one billion euros a day'. Just today the college of commissioners will hold a debate on the future relationship with China, a country that has divided the Twenty-Seven for years.
