Text Only
Search

 
EU Trade Chief Warns China on Copyright Piracy


08 June 2006
Ramirez report - Download 251k - Download (Real) audio clip
Ramirez report - Download 251k - Listen (Real) audio clip

European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has warned China it may face a backlash if it does not stop pirating trademarked products or improve market access for European goods.  The warning came as the EU trade chief met with officials in Beijing.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson listens to a speech during the closing ceremony of a seminar on trademark and copyright protection in Beijing
Peter Mandelson listens to a speech during closing ceremony of seminar on trademark and copyright protection in Beijing
The EU Trade Commissioner told reporters at the end of his four-day visit Thursday, that he will keep coming back to China as many times as it takes to "get Europe's trade relationship right."

Mandelson met with Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and other top officials, stressing the need for China to live up to the commitments it has made to stop the pirating of copyrighted products and open its markets further to European goods and services. He said that not doing so would fuel protectionist sentiment in Europe.

"If we are going to remain in Europe as open as we are, what matters in the end is what China does, how China acts, that will determine whether we can defeat the arguments of those in Europe and elsewhere who fear China's growth and want to build barriers to China's exports," he said.

The EU trade chief said there is much impatience and frustration in Europe about what many believe is the Chinese government's inadequate action to tackle product counterfeiting.

Mandelson praised efforts the Chinese government says it is making to stop counterfeiting copyrighted products. However, he said, "there is still a mountain to climb" before the widespread infringement of intellectual property rights is conquered.

The United States has also made similar calls on China, saying intellectual property right violations cost American companies billions of dollars each year in lost sales of items ranging from movie videos to designer clothing and pharmaceuticals.

Washington and Brussels also have both continued to push for China to grant better access to their products.

EU officials on Thursday said they have concluded preliminary consultations with China on resolving a tariff dispute over car parts. The EU and the United States have filed complaints with the World Trade Organization, WTO, alleging Beijing unfairly forced Chinese automakers to use Chinese-made parts.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
China Warns Google Will Have to Abide by Chinese Web Restrictions
Former US Central Bank Chief Warns of Impact of High Oil Prices
 
  Top Story
US Army Charges Alleged Fort Hood Shooter with Premeditated Murder

  More Stories
Kremlin Calls for Sweeping Modernization of Russia  Audio Clip Available
Union Says Zimbabwe Farm Workers Worst Abused Sector in Past 10 Years  Video clip available
Obama Orders Revisions to Afghan Options
Obama Begins First Presidential Trip to Asia  Audio Clip Available
Obama to Hold Jobs Summit in December   Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
Reports: US Ambassador to Kabul Expresses Caution About More Troops  Audio Clip Available
APEC Ministers say  Economic Recovery is Fragile  Audio Clip Available
Clinton Vows Support for Philippine Typhoon  Recovery, Anti-Terrorism Fight  Audio Clip Available
US Leaders May Interact With Burmese at Singapore Summit  Audio Clip Available
N. Korea Says South Will Pay 'Expensive Price' for Naval Clash
China Rejects Human Rights Watch Report on Black Jails
Thasksin Delivers Speech in Phnom Penh
Sri Lanka Military Chief Resigns  Audio Clip Available
As Alleged Fort Hood Shooter Recovers, New Questions Arise  Video clip available
Pakistan Seeks Role in US-Afghan Policy
Obama's Middle East Strategy Stalls
Zimbabwe Land Seizures Reportedly Intensify  Audio Clip Available
First Recorded Dengue Fever Epidemic Hits Cape Verde  Audio Clip Available
Paisley, Swift Winners at CMA Awards  Audio Clip Available