
France Urges Tariff Barriers to Stop China From Killing Industry
Europe has already taken action on steel and automobiles, but rules must be changed to allow the wider use of measures against imports from China, Lombard said.
'In the world we are in today, we must protect our industry,' Lombard said on Saturday at an economics conference in Aix-en-Provence, France. 'We must do it on all industrial segments, otherwise the Chinese policy that consists of having a production capacity of more than 50% global market share in each sector will kill our industry.'
His comments underscore growing concerns in Paris that US President Donald Trump's efforts to redraw global trade flows risk hitting Europe on several fronts, and not just because of potential tariffs on exports to the US.
China announced anti-dumping duties on European brandy on Friday while exempting major cognac makers that agreed to minimum price levels. The action followed the EU's decision in 2024 to levy duties as high as 45% on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
In another sign of the tension between Europe and Beijing, the Chinese government intends to shorten a two-day summit with European Union leaders this month to just a day, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
Speaking to Bloomberg on Friday at the Aix-en-Provence event, French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci also called for Europe to ramp up its defenses against Chinese imports.
'Another phenomenon that is concerning is the redirection of Chinese flows which were targeted to the US, and that are now coming to Europe,' Ferracci said. 'China has built over-capacities in a wide array of industries and that makes it quite sensitive and quite dangerous for our industries.'
Lombard said the new government coalition in Germany is an opportunity for Paris and Berlin to work more closely together. He'll meet with his counterparts there in the coming weeks.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
24 minutes ago
- Hans India
A dicey successor issue
Dala iLama the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism had announced that his successor would be chosen by Gaden Phodrang Trust in a method as per old tradition of finding his reincarnation. The Chinese government, however, insists on following the Golden Urn lottery system for choosing Dalai Lama's successor that further requires approval of imperial dynasties for all 'Living Buddha incarnations', the system in vogue for 700 years that dates to the Qing dynasty. On the Indian side, Union Minister for Minorities Kiren Rijiju says that the right to name the successor is the sole prerogative of the Dalai Lama as per conventions. Nonetheless, India is dealing with intense border disputes with China and now the contentious issue of Tibet may further propel tensions. This successor issue needs to be handled cautiously, deftly and strategically by involving the US and UN. P R Ravinder Hyderabad Only Dalai Lama should have the final say A day after the Dalai Lama stated that only a trust affiliated with his office would have the authority to decide on his reincarnation, prompting China to assert that its approval was necessary, I strongly feel that only the Tibetan Buddhist leader has the right to make that decision. The Dalai Lama is the 'most important and defining institution' for Buddhists. All those who follow the Dalai Lama feel that the Incarnation is to be decided by the established convention and as per the wish of the Dalai Lama himself. On Wednesday, just days before his 90th birthday, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism had outlined his succession plans in a long-anticipated statement from Dharamshala, where he has lived for decades. China, which considers the Dalai Lama a separatist figure, responded by reiterating that any reincarnation must receive approval from Beijing. It is essential that India must support the Dalai Lama. Bhagwan Thadani Mumbai


Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘I'll keep promoting human values': At 90, Dalai Lama doubles down on compassion while China looms amid succession storm
Prayers, prophecies and a wish for 40 more years Live Events A birthday without the fuss — DalaiLama (@DalaiLama) His commitments stay the same A life rooted in exile The heart of the matter Dalai Lama's succession: Who decides? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel On the cusp of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama didn't call for gifts or fanfare. Instead, he offered a reminder. 'I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organising events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts.'He spoke these words from McLeodganj, the hill town that's been his refuge since 1959. His followers listened in temples, monasteries, online, wherever they could find Saturday, speaking at Tsuglagkhang, his main temple in McLeodganj, he told the gathering he sees more years ahead."Looking at the many prophecies, I feel I have blessings of the Avalokiteshvara . I have done my best so far. I hope to still live for 30-40 years more. Your prayers have borne fruit so far," he life in exile, he sees purpose in it. "Though we have lost our country and we are living in exile in India, that's where I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot. Those living here in Dharamshala. I intend to benefit and serve beings as much as I can."If you ask him, he is not one for grand parties. Posting on X on the eve of his birthday, he wrote, "I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organising events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts."And then, a simple call to action, "While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place."Even at 90, the core of his life's work stands unchanged."As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony , drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion."He credits his strength to teachings from the Buddha and Indian masters like Shantideva, quoting him word for word:"As long as space endures,As long as sentient being remain,Until then, may I too remainTo dispel the miseries of the world."Born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935 in a small village in Tibet, recognised as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at two, Tenzin Gyatso was thrust into leadership early. By 15, he faced the Chinese invasion. By 24, he fled Tibet. Since then, he's been the living symbol of a people in exile — and an idea that refuses to losing his homeland, he says, 'We have lost our country and we are living in exile in India, that's where I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot.'At a small monastery near Shimla, a young monk, Nawang Tashi Rapten — recognised as the reincarnation of Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche — cut a cake and led prayers for the Dalai Lama's long life. It was a simple scene, but heavy with meaning: the lineage must go Kunga Lama summed it up. 'As a Tibetan Buddhist, I would say this celebration of the birthday of the Dalai Lama is not only a celebration, but also he is the identity of the Tibetan community, Tibetan unity, monks, and the leader of the whole culture of peace and compassion.'It's not all peaceful prayers and butter lamps, though. His age-old struggle with China still shadows these celebrations. Beijing insists it alone must approve the next Dalai Lama. The 14th rejects this flatly. He has made it clear: the Gaden Phodrang Trust , the non-profit he founded, will decide who follows foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has said the selection must follow a process endorsed by Beijing, warning India to handle Tibet-related matters with government backs him. 'The decision on the next Dalai Lama lies solely with the current Dalai Lama and the religious traditions of Tibetan Buddhism ,' said Minister Kiren Rijiju. China, predictably, bristled, warning India to tread age and politics, the Dalai Lama remains unbowed. He hopes for 40 more years to keep serving. Celebrations have unfolded across India's Tibetan settlements, with prayers not just for his health but for those suffering elsewhere from flooding in Himachal to conflict far signs off his birthday message simply, "Thank you for using the opportunity of my birthday to cultivate peace of mind and compassion. Tashi Deleg and with prayers, Dalai Lama."


News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
India Becomes 4th 'Most Equal' Country In World, Leaves Behind US, China: World Bank Report
Last Updated: There are three countries ahead of India on the Gini Index, which include Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Belarus. India became the fourth-most equal country globally, effected by the significant decrease in inequality between 2011-12 and 2022-23, as per a World Bank report. This comes on the back of a sharp decrease in extreme poverty in the country, which dipped from 16.2 per cent in 2011-12 to 2.3 per cent in 2022-23, an official release said, quoting the World Bank data. The three countries having better Gini Index scores, which is a measure of equality, are the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus – placing India in a much better spot than countries like China, the US, and the UK. '…India's Gini Index stands at 25.5, making it the fourth most equal country in the world, after the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Belarus," the statement said. The Gini Index is used to measure how evenly income, wealth, or spending is shared among people or households in a country. The score ranges from 0 to 100. A score of 0 means everyone has the same amount—complete equality. A score of 100 means one person has everything while everyone else has nothing—complete inequality. So, the higher the Gini Index, the more unequal the country is. While China's index stands at 35.7, the US' score is 41.8. The Work Bank report consisted of data from 167 countries, in which India was placed in the 'moderately low" inequality category. This group includes countries with Gini scores between 25 and 30. India's score is very close to moving into the 'low inequality" group, indicating that income and wealth are fairly evenly distributed in comparison to many other countries. The government said that the reduction in inequality took place due to various initiatives and schemes launched during the last decade. According to the World Bank report, 171 million Indians have been lifted out of extreme poverty over the last decade. The percentage of people in India living on less than USD 2.15 a day—the global line for extreme poverty until June 2025—dropped significantly from 16.2% in 2011–12 to just 2.3% in 2022–23. Worldwide, only 30 countries are in the 'moderately low" inequality category. Many of them are European nations with strong welfare systems, such as Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Belgium. This group also includes fast-growing economies like Poland and rich countries like the United Arab Emirates. The report said that India's progress toward a more equal society can be seen in its Gini Index over the years. The index was 28.8 in 2011 and improved to 25.5 in 2022. 'This steady improvement shows that India has been able to combine economic growth with greater fairness and social equality," the release stated. The report mentioned that schemes like the PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and Stand-Up India have played a key role in helping India move toward greater income equality. (With PTI inputs)