G8 country to adopt policy of “industrial patriotism”
French Industry Minister Christian Estrosi says the country will adopt a policy of “French industrial patriotism” because corporations aren’t working properly to ease unemployment in the country. “What is important is the number of components, to ensure that the large majority come from French suppliers,” Estrosi says. “All this will lead me to think about a law on inter-industrial relations, to better protect our suppliers.” France, one of Canada’s key allies in the push for a free trade deal with the EU-Canada, is being accused of violating the spirit of the G20 summit pledge, which opposed protectionist policies. Separately, the EU has accused Canada of enacting protectionist measures of its own. It continues to press provinces to abandon measures granting preferential treatment to domestic suppliers, like those included in Ontario’s Green Energy Act.