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EU urged to adopt 'Buy European' strategy to counter global protectionism

Could a 'Buy European' policy defend the bloc's industries without severing ties with China? One expert argues it's the EU's best move yet.

The image shows a graph on a white background with text that reads "eu imports and non-eu trade"....
The image shows a graph on a white background with text that reads "eu imports and non-eu trade". The graph is composed of two lines, one in blue and one in red, that represent the number of imports and exports from different countries. The blue line is steadily increasing, indicating a steady increase in imports over time. The red line is slightly lower than the blue line, indicating an increase in exports. The graph also includes a legend that explains the meaning of the colors used in the graph.

EU urged to adopt 'Buy European' strategy to counter global protectionism

Michael Schweitzer, a trade policy expert, has called for a 'Buy European' strategy to strengthen the EU's economic position. He argues that this approach would serve as a form of 'self-defence' against growing global protectionism. His comments come amid ongoing debates about the bloc's trade relations, particularly with China.

Schweitzer supports the EU Commission's proposals for introducing requirements or quotas within supply chains. He believes such measures would help secure European industries without resorting to outright trade barriers. At the same time, he emphasises that Germany cannot easily access global markets without maintaining China as a key trading partner.

His stance contrasts with calls for stricter protectionist policies. Instead of shutting out foreign competition, Schweitzer insists that Germany's trade policy should prioritise opening markets. He warns that isolating the EU from major economies like China could harm its own economic interests.

No official statements from Robert H. Lütke-Tölling on 'Buy European' strategies have been found in available sources. Similarly, there is no evidence of concrete EU actions or policies adopting protectionist measures in global supply chains since Schweitzer's remarks.

Schweitzer's proposals highlight a balancing act for the EU: protecting domestic industries while keeping trade routes open. His 'Buy European' approach aims to reduce dependence on foreign markets without cutting ties entirely. The debate continues over how best to shield the bloc from economic risks while maintaining global trade links.

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