De facto protectionism in the EU
6.1.2022
Question for written answer E-000043/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Geert Bourgeois (ECR)
The internal market is a boon to internal free trade, upward social convergence, jobs and prosperity. It is the crown jewel of the European Union. In practice, however, the internal borders are being closed once again for a number of goods. More and more retailers are only selling products manufactured in their own country, using labels such as ‘produit de ...’ or ‘made in ...’. Producers are thus forced to move production to other Member States even though they have sufficient production capacity in their own Member State. Although these de facto restrictions on free movement emanate from private individuals, we are nevertheless seeing governments playing a driving role in this and spurring it on. Of course, the short chain is a good thing, but this should not serve as a pretext for hidden protectionism.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of these practices of de facto protectionism which undermine the proper functioning of the internal market?
- 2.Is the Commission prepared to draw up a report on these de facto obstacles and their impact on the internal market?
- 3.What approach will the Commission adopt to tackle these harmful practices and what means will it use?