Press Release

05/02/2009

€20 billion lost EU business opportunities in China. Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP

The European Parliament today voted on a report on Trade and Economic Relations with China after China's accession to the WTO. It is estimated that China's non-tariff barriers towards the EU are annually worth more than €20 billion in terms of lost business opportunities to EU companies. China placed major obstacles in the way of European firms wishing to do business in China in order to protect its own industry.

Rapporteur and Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on International Trade, Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, said: "China is very creative in inventing non-tariff barriers. It is virtually impossible for EU companies to operate in their public procurement market, whilst the EU public procurement market, currently worth some €1900 billion, is already largely open to Chinese companies. My report calls for a level playing field on both sides in this matter and we want more EU presence and assistance, especially for SMEs."

Besides the non-tariff barriers, another major problem is the poor quality standard of some Chinese products. Wortmann-Kool continued: "In 2007, we faced major problems regarding unsafe toys. The scale of the production of counterfeiting and pirated goods inside China is alarmingly high and we recently witnessed the scandal of polluted baby milk powder. This must be stopped. We call on China to adopt and apply international standards; this will ensure that Chinese exports to the EU meet acceptable quality and safety standards."

To show more ambition in the EU's China policy, the report calls for the appointment of a Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for EU-China trade and economic relations in order to establish effective high-level negotiations. The Parliament is also calling on the European Commission to ensure that the EU business sector has a stand at EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.

Human rights are an essential part of the relations between the EU and China. Europe should discuss the issues of human rights at stake via an open dialogue with China based on mutual respect and commitment to shared values of the internal community. The Rapporteur underlines that a new EU-China Partnership and Cooperation Agreement should also include enforceable clauses on human rights, environmental, sustainable development and social issues.

For further information:
Eduard Slootweg, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-475-721280

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.