The carrot rather than the stick in short

The new European Commissioner for trade, the Belgian Karel De Gucht, is in agreement with the US on the diagnosis: "the yuan is undervalued, making Chinese exports much more competitive." I hope that Beijing will accept in the coming months to allow its course to appreciate. "But he disapproved of the method of US Senators who come to propose legislation to force the hand to the Chinese. "Pressure on China cannot be that counterproductive." "This is an approach that I would not for the Union European and the euro area", explained yesterday at the "Echos", on the eve of a trip to Paris where he is to meet the Advisor diplomatic Elysée, Jean - David Levitte, but also Laurence Parisot, President of the Medef, and the Secretary of State for international trade, Anne-Marie Idrac.

For him, should rather seek to convince the Chinese that "their economy has become too important on a global scale to have a strategy from against the other major blocks". More question alone. "It is in the interest of China to contribute to the output of the global crisis", said Karel De Gucht, who will make the argument for 29 April, in Beijing, where he must discuss the calendar and the agenda of the economic and commercial top dialogue level between China and the Union.

The Commissioner is more forgiving towards the Germany, also accused of single rider by French economy Minister, Christine Lagarde, compressing its wage costs and practicing accommodating fiscal policy to boost its competitiveness against its European partners. "It is a political choice, the Germany does nothing unacceptable under European legislation," said Karel De Gucht. Before put into perspective: "it is said that the Germany, but this is true for many other European countries." Everyone, by definition, is to some extent rider only as long as we have no economic government at the level of the Union.

The Commissioner continues to hope for an agreement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the Doha round as soon as 2010. "To unblock the situation, should the United States put on the table a proposal." Such a proposal should receive broad support in Congress, involving therefore Democrats and Republicans. Which should be easier to obtain after the mid-term elections in the fall. It should also organize a ministerial or a G7 Ministerial level before the next G20 in Toronto in June.

Protectionist temptations

An agreement is even more desirable that the protectionist temptations appear, with the crisis, know a resurgence. In the United States, where tender replenishment aircraft has been modified to force EADS and its partner Northrop Grumman. "Prevent companies to file an offer, it is not correct," said Karel De Gucht. In France, where Nicolas Sarkozy repeated to the envi that a car to be sold in France must also be produced. "It's a very protectionist declaration, contrary to the reality of international trade," said the Commissioner. Not to be alarmed. "In practice, there is not really startle protectionist, he explains." Protectionist measures and anti-dumping actions taken by China and the United States cover only 2 or 3 of our exports, including through the vigilance of the WTO. This does not mean that it is acceptable. But it remains relatively limited.

The establishment of a carbon tax at the borders, driven by the France to prevent countries like China to practice ecological dumping at the expense of European industry, would be, where appropriate, consistent with the rules of the WTO Karel De Gucht does not exclude: "It is possible to invent acceptable formulas by the WTO," he says. If he publicly objected to such an idea, it is mainly because it would be "very difficult to apply" eyes, and that it could "quickly provoke a trade war." Better, for the Commissioner, to move towards a removal of tariffs on products and technologies to fight against climate change. The carrot rather than the stick, in short.