Mandelson rejects Chinese accusation of protectionism
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
BRUSSELS, Aug 21 (AFP): EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson rejected yesterday a claim from Beijing that growing safety concerns about Chinese-made products were a front for protectionism.
"The allegation that European companies' action against toxic Chinese goods is politically motivated and shows bias against China is totally false," Mandelson said in a statement.
"As trade commissioner, I will not accept claims of toxicity being used as a pretext for protectionism," he added.
"Equally, I will give firm backing to European companies having to reject goods that are dangerous to consumers, including young children."
His comments came after China's Director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Li Changjiang, was quoted in the China Economic Times describing the growing safety concerns as "protectionism."
"The allegation that European companies' action against toxic Chinese goods is politically motivated and shows bias against China is totally false," Mandelson said in a statement.
"As trade commissioner, I will not accept claims of toxicity being used as a pretext for protectionism," he added.
"Equally, I will give firm backing to European companies having to reject goods that are dangerous to consumers, including young children."
His comments came after China's Director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Li Changjiang, was quoted in the China Economic Times describing the growing safety concerns as "protectionism."