Cheap Chinese candles seem likely to spark another fierce battle between retailers and producers in the European Union and again expose divisions in the bloc over global trade.Peter Mandelson, the trade commissioner, is expected to recommend within days the pursuing of a complaint from candlemakers that a surge in imports is unfairly damaging their businesses.An investigation could lead to punitive tariffs on Chinese candle producers - provided a majority of the 27 EU states does not object.
Candles highlight EU trade rift
I have to suppose that some wag at the European Commission is playing a joke on the twice-resigned Peter Mandelson, presuming, doubtlessly correctly, that he would never have heard of Frédéric Bastiat’s satire on protectionism, the Candlemakers’ Petition, in which French candlemakers argue for blocking out the Sun because its free light was unfair competition.
Will Mandleson twig he’s being led into a trap?
