Protectionist pressures in Brown-Sarkozy meeting

Thursday, 19 March 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

French president Nicolas Sarkozy is hosting Gordon Brown for lunch today before the pair head to Brussels for a meeting of European leaders.

The prime minister is expected to underline the importance of preventing protectionist policies spreading as a response to the global economic downturn.

France has been historically susceptible to protectionist impulses and some critics have alleged its policies are drifting in that direction.

Last month the French government lent carmakers PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault ?3 billion (£2.8 billion) on the condition they would not move plants from France to elsewhere in Europe.

Downing Street said this morning Mr Brown would be discussing with Mr Sarkozy what more could be done at European and global level "to protect against trade protectionism".

Preparation for the G20 summit looking at ways of strengthening the regulation and supervision of the financial sector will also be considered, No 10 added.

The meeting comes ahead of a meeting of EU leaders later today. European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso made clear on Monday he backed stronger financial regulation at European level than at global level.

There will not be an opportunity for further discussions on the way to Brussels, however. The pair will travel separately.

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• eu economy
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• europe
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• foreign policy