Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-09-Speech-3-119"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050309.12.3-119"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
".
The Commission’s reform of the generalised system of preferences has been stepped up a gear, apparently because of the urgent need to support the economies of those countries hit by the tsunami of 26 December 2004. The plan is for the new system to come into force on 1 April.
In the aftermath of the tsunami disaster, European citizens and States proved that their generosity could be counted upon. Yet the Commission intends to make sectors of European industry that are experiencing difficulties, in particular the textile industry, pay a heavy price for this generosity.
The textile industry has been hit hard by unfair competition from China, and this competition will only get worse. Yet the industry provides a livelihood for 2.5 million people in Europe, and generates turnover of EUR 230 billion. The Commission intends to set a threshold of 12.5% of Community imports of these products before a country loses its entitlement to GSP, which will encourage competition from the Indian textile industry, as the latter will benefit from reduced duties. This industry is regarded as competitive under the current GSP, which sets a threshold of 10% before customs duties are introduced, or which in other words enables balanced competition despite differences in salaries and welfare conditions.
Making one sector of the economy pay the price of state aid flies in the face of liberal thinking. Such a move, which would make hundreds of thousands of people in Europe redundant, would also be antisocial."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples