Sir,
As you rightly point out in your editorial The EU, China and fairs trade (February 25) the new tone set by the EU against China in the area of trade in textiles is regrettable. During a recent visit to China, Mr. Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, took the opportunity to emphasise that China does indeed, like any other member of the World Trade Organisation, have rights and obligations under the WTO-agreement. One obligation is to not restrict trade.

By joining the WTO China has thus fortunately agreed not to put restrictions on its exports to us. The EU should not ask China to do so; it would be in the interest of neither China nor the EU.

Sweden has, since joining the EU, been at the forefront of advocating a liberal European trade regime. Together with other like-minded members of the Union, Sweden has continuously and consistently opposed restrictions to trade, such as excessive use of safeguards and antidumping measures.

The Swedish government believes that free trade, including free trade with China, is beneficial to the people of Europe. Trade should also work in the service of development. Therefore Sweden has advocated bringing trade in textiles and clothing, an industry of immense importance to the developing world, including China, under the regular rules for trade in goods.

We will continue to work with our allies within Europe to stall the forces that are continuously lobbying for protection, most recently in the area of textiles from China.

Those in Europe working for free trade need to work together. Any efforts to persuade China to voluntarily restrict its trade would not only hurt the European consumers, it would run quite contrary to idea of partnership and responsibility that, as Mr. Mandelson pointed out, the EU and China should share in the global economy.

Thomas Östros
Minister for Industry and Trade,
Sweden