French Senior Planner Calls for 30% Tariffs on Chinese Goods
French Senior Commissioner for Planning and Strategy, former advisor to President Emmanuel Macron Clement Beaune, called on Monday for a 30% tariff on Chinese goods to protect European industry.
Previously, the Office of the Senior Commissioner for Planning and Strategy, led by Beaune, released a report highlighting the vulnerability of EU countries' industries in the face of Chinese competition.
Baune said on a TF1 TV program: "If we do not defend our European industry with a strong 'trade shield' against the influx of Chinese products, it will face a fatal danger."
He added that the mentioned "trade shield" refers to a 30% tariff on Chinese goods.
Baune explained the necessity of taking such measures, stating that current major EU industrial sectors (automotive manufacturing, chemical industry) are facing significant competitive pressure from China. He further stated that according to the commissioner's office data, the production costs of most Chinese goods are 30%-40% lower than those in Europe, and the quality of Chinese goods is no less than, and even better than, European counterparts.
Baune said: "If we block the competition from China, it means that jobs will remain in France. Consumers will pay higher prices... but when you save a little money through Asian e-commerce platforms like Shein, thousands of small businesses, the fashion industry, and even the entire industrial sector will lose jobs overall, and consumers will no longer be able to maintain their purchasing power."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856687656637449/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.