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Made in France is particularly popular in this pre-election period. For Adrien de Tricornot co-author of "Inevitable protectionism" is both inadequate and cons-productive for the country reindustrialise. Interview. But the tertiary sector of the labor market in France is also accompanied by a sharp drop in the industrial sector. Occupations exposed to international competition are the most exposed. Metallurgy and should lose, according to forecasts of CAS, 40 000 jobs. Made in France is particularly popular in this pre-election period. Almost all candidates have made a strategic focus of their program. Why?

In contact with opinion and their voters, candidates understand the concerns that cause deindustrialization. They are therefore obliged to provide answers, more or less satisfactory elsewhere. But behind this reaction a bit demagogic, candidates are especially becoming aware that the trade deficit is causing the budget deficit, and not vice versa. Clearly, that our problems are not related to excessive public spending but the growing industrialization of France. This is reassuring since the diagnosis is correct. Unfortunately the answers thereto are not up to par.

Why? Promote French production is not a good starting point?

This is both superficial and cons-productive. Superficial, because it does not respond to the initial problem: it's not a label or an annuity tricolor French product that we will reach reindustrialise France. Cons-productive or even dangerous, because it leads us to withdraw into ourselves when we are part of a package called the European Union. Our priority must be to bring together our models rather than opposing them. Or give the advantage to the Franco-French products require to ultimately recover from the borders between us and our European neighbors. Suffice to say that we would lose 50 years of progress and of European integration.

VAT Social Nicolas Sarkozy seem to you more able to answer the question of de-industrialization of France?

A tariff intelligent European borders seems a more appropriate response, although more difficult to implement. Anyway, create a social VAT at this time of unemployment and low growth seems particularly dangerous. Taxing consumption will lead to an immediate compression of demand, which is obviously not desirable. Conversely, the success of the device in terms of labor cost is far from clear. For the measurement to be as efficient as possible, it would take a broad base and a strong increase in VAT, which is the opposite of what the government proposes. Therefore, it seems wiser to focus on other ways to offset the decline in the cost burden as the increase in CSG for example, or the tax on financial transactions.

Germany has set up successfully …

It's time to stop with the myth of the German model. German competitiveness is not due to labor costs, but its strong specialization in heavy industry. Indeed, the country has managed to turn to high-end industry and is now enjoying growth in inequality in the world, by building machines from Chinese factories. Moreover, the German population is very different from its French neighbor, giving it the moment a comparative advantage. Anyway I think the comparison is irrelevant between the two countries. More generally, moreover, the manipulation of foreign models, often in politics, most often leads to an impoverishment of the economic debate. Remember when in the year 2000, Germany put Ireland and Britain on a pedestal …

In your book "Inevitable protectionism", you feel that the only answer to our competitiveness problem is protectionism, why?

For years, employment and value added of manufacturing French, European and U.S. are in freefall. For years, the growth of the financial system helped to hide this reality. The use of public and private debt indeed allowed to sustain growth. But the crisis of 2007 brought down the masks: after the financial bubble burst, it became impossible to restore growth. In a way or we must therefore find ways of production.

See also the discussion of Expansion: Is a new protectionism?

How?

The great ideology of free trade, still largely dominant, lulled us into the illusion that global competition could be pure and perfect, and it would lead to lower prices for people, and enrichment of the most poor. In reality, this never happened, and very quickly, new forms of protectionism (unfair) appeared. This is for example the case of the Chinese currency, now largely undervalued, and against which it is impossible to compete! It is also the case for taxation which allows some countries to attract the wealth of others. Faced with this terrible situation two possibilities: either we wait idly by our bankruptcy or they were countered by strong safeguards, but transparent and fair.

What concrete steps do you propose?

We propose to set up barriers at the borders of Europe and more generally to regionalize trade in coherent sets. The idea is to increase the price of imports from countries that do not meet a number of tax rules, social environment. At the social level, for example, one can imagine a system where we would tax the product if wage growth does not follow the increase in productivity. Thus, if the difference between the salary increase of Chinese textile worker and the average gain in productivity of the company is 15%, 15% tax on the product until the gap is not reduced. To avoid paying customs duties, the company's interest to raise wages. This can be transposed at the environmental level: all products whose manufacture has not met the criteria of the Kyoto Protocol for example could be taxed. To be completely concrete, we tried to do the math, a role for monetary dumping: on his arrival in Europe, a Chinese textiles would be taxed to the tune of at least 50%.

Europe seems you ready?

It will be long and complicated but not impossible. Especially Germany defends its interests tooth and nail, but is aware that she eminently need the euro area, the main destination of its exports. Moreover, in the European treaties, customs duties are primarily decided by qualified majority, which offers greater flexibility. However we are well aware that such measures will be implemented in a snap. It is only time to think, the risk that not only the political extremes seize the issue and distract.

Might there be not to antagonize our trading partners?

Today no one can move from Europe as a trading partner, nor the U.S. nor China, which have also not the same reservations that we resort to protectionism. Moreover, it seems that for some of our partners, our lack of reaction is analyzed almost as a sign of weakness and decadence of the West. That is why they will not be surprised to witness the awakening of Europe! When Barack Obama has increased tariffs on Chinese tires, it affected relations between the two countries for a time, and then exchanges came away with renewed vigor, as tariffs for that matter! That's why it's time to stop stigmatizing a priori protectionism, which is not comparable as such to the war or border closures as would have us believe the advocates of liberalism …

Sign that the subject is growing, studying the Assembly on Thursday a resolution to develop the "Made in France". Almost all candidates are trying to ride the wave of re-industrialization and the premium Franco-French. Decryption. The show of the Patrouille de France at the 24 Hours of Le Mans June 11, 2011.

The "Produce French" was on a roll. Not with consumers who are now unable to say whether the product they buy is French. But with the presidential candidates, who feel that the niche is a carrier in France suffering from deindustrialization and offshoring. In April the presidential campaign will be "made in France" or will not … as evidenced by programs across the political spectrum.  

"Label France" to François Bayrou, "social VAT" which does not say his name to Nicolas Sarkozy, or "green tax" European borders for Francis Holland, no shortage of ideas to revive the power of the large French industry. Sign that the subject is back, the National Assembly must still vote on Thursday a resolution of the UMP group to develop the made in France. "We can not accept a plate made in China with a French grip is marked Made in France", said Christian Estrosi, the former minister of industry, which requires that only products with more than 55% French-made can be labeled lights

To observers, the subject is particularly appropriate at this time of crisis. "The produce in France reflects a strong concern in France," said Brice Teinturier including Ipsos. Marine Le Pen has understood, she makes out of Europe and the imposition of border taxes, one of the central axes of the program.

According to the Ipsos polling institute, the thrust of François Bayrou in the polls would also be put on the account of his industrial chauvinism. "In the collective imagination, very hard on this issue, a great nation is a developed country, the rank of France in the world is partly linked to this," said Jerome Fourquet of the FIFG, author of a note on the French and deindustrialization.

The evidence in recent weeks with business Seafrance, Lejaby and Petroplus, who met an important echo in public opinion. And immediately rushed to the bedside of candidates employed in trouble … In late January, during his televised speech, Nicolas Sarkozy assured that it "would not drop the" factory of Lejaby Yssingeaux. Mission accomplished on Wednesday, with the guarantee of a Franco-French buyer, supplier of LVMH. In December Francois Hollande was going to visit the factory Eolane coming to repatriate the production of digital tablets of Taiwan in France. Examples of many that reveal a certain state of mind. When France finally announced this week that it had "almost" sold its Rafale to India is the patriotism of all the French that seemed to vibrate at the same time.

Now the candidates are fighting over who introduced the theme in the campaign. François Bayrou claims to be the first to have spoken, but the UMP to dispute the paternity of the concept in 2009, Yves Jégo was commissioned by Nicolas Sarkozy to write a report on the "Brand France". However all are cautious to ride the wave red white blue. They probably fear of being accused of being anti-European and playing the withdrawal. Recently, Pascal Lamy, the WTO chief warned states against the return of protectionism in times of crisis. And each G20 member states undertake to protect no matter what free trade.

Remains how far will the candidates in their promotion of "industrial patriotism" as described Francois Hollande. "Stay there be in the scoop and the incantatory speech or do we put the hands dirty?", Says Jérôme Fourquet. "The risk is that these ideas are only recovered by the political extremes, and they definitely go out of public debate," laments Stamberger Benjamin Masse, co-author of "Inevitable protectionism," and journalist for L'Express.

Ultimately, everything may depend of the evolution of the candidates in the polls. If Jean-Luc Mélenchon with his "European protectionism" were to make a breakthrough surprise, this could change all that …

The German group E. ON community service expects to eliminate nearly 11,000 jobs, or about 14% of its workforce, to reduce its costs after the Berlin decision to phase out nuclear by 2022.

This figure is at the top of the range between 9000-11000 items discussed by the group last August, when the announcement of a restructuring of its operations.

"In the present state of our preliminary assessments, the number of jobs to be eliminated will be in the top of the announced range from 9,000 to 11,000," said the world number one industry by turnover.

The German group had 79,457 employees at the end of September.

The main European stock markets have returned to equilibrium in mid-session, while Milan and Athens rose more sharply and a rally promises to Wall Street, in the hope that Italy and Greece are quickly new governments and implement the necessary reforms.

The CAC 40 index yielded 0.08% at 3072.60 points around 24:15, after having started losing more than 2%, while the Euro Stoxx 50 took 0.19% and Milan fell by 0.48%.

As part of its Treasury bill auction, Italy has sold five billion euros in vouchers to 12 months, with a yield of 6.09%, its highest level since September 1997, against 3.57% in its previous auction which took place October 11.

Toyota reported Tuesday a 32% drop in its quarterly earnings and abandoned its forecast for annual profit, the impact of floods in Thailand completing disrupt a production line that is not yet fully recovered from the earthquake March 11.

The Japanese automaker also suffers from the strong yen, beating down the profitability of some 1.5 million vehicles exported each year and makes it less competitive with neighboring South Korea's Hyundai Motor.

Despite the unfavorable foreign exchange, Toyota said it did not intend to reduce its cut production, saying instead that he wanted to increase the share of domestic sales in total sales to offset the effect of force the yen.

The builder was particularly affected by flooding in Thailand disaster that claimed more than 500 dead, like Honda, which also dropped its earnings forecasts.

The three assembly plants of Toyota in the country are at a standstill since October 10 and will remain so until at least November 12.

A report by the Court of Auditors highlights communication costs without justification and without competition, often to the benefit of society Giacometti-Péron. Prime Minister Francois Fillon held a press conference at Matignon on a new austerity plan August 24, 2011

The Court of Auditors report a pin in communication costs the government (surveys, coaching), engaged in conditions "questionable" on topics far removed from some public action, and often to the benefit of society Giacometti-Péron. Pierre Giacometti, adviser to President Nicolas Sarkozy, is one of the leaders of this consultancy and strategy.Funding "survey on personal image of Ministers or distant subjects of government action is debatable," she adds.

As in 2008, with the study commissioned from the Institute Médiascopie on the "level of support generated by the remarks made by the Department of Defense" (Hervé Morin at the time), but also that "others "during the show" Make up your mind "of September 11, 2008. Or studies requested by the Department of Justice "about how media coverage of Rachida Dati," the Chancellery from 2007 to 2009, or on the image of the former Minister of Ecology Jean-Louis Borloo.

Expenditures "questionable"

"In general, the relationships between government and external service providers are not always consistent with the rules of public procurement," say the judges.

The number of unemployed Germans reached a new record low in October, to 6.5% of the workforce. It increases in numbers against the seasonally adjusted. An employment agency in Berlin

Unemployment has posted a new recession in Germany, in October, on a gross basis, to 6.5% of the workforce. But increased in numbers seasonally adjusted (SA), beating expectations, said Wednesday the Employment Agency. Economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a further decline in numbers CVS, the most widely followed by economists as more representative. Overall, however, "the positive developments on the labor market continued," commented the President of the Employment Agency Frank-Juergen Weise.

Icade published Monday sales up 11% in the first nine months of 2011, thanks in particular to the full-year effect of the acquisition of Compagnie la Lucette.

The real estate company, a subsidiary of Caisse des Depots, recorded sales of 1,065.8 million at September 30, also boosted by lettings made in 2010 of its commercial property division and for the development division, by the progress of projects of operations signed last year.

Also for its development division, the group notes that "in an uncertain market environment and reduction of tax incentives", bookings were down 11% in value compared to the first 9 months of 2010.

Icade, whose action on Friday completed a course of 65.00 euros, provides no indication of its prospects.

The Spanish government said Thursday the postponement of the privatization of two major airports of the country, candidates clashing with the acquisition financing difficulties, a decision that deprives the state of several billion euros in revenues in the crisis debt.

The Department of Public Works said that the operation was postponed for three months, after the parliamentary elections of 20 November, which could, according to polls, give power to the Popular Party (PP) today in the opposition.

But the PP is opposed to the sale of the airport and accused the Socialist government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to have rushed into a hasty operation by selling the assets of choice at bargain prices in a financial context lackluster.

Last month, the government had already put a stop to the proposed IPO of the National Lottery on the grounds of market conditions.

Banking sources have said that private investors were reluctant to engage in these privatizations few weeks of the election.

Seven groups of investors had expressed interest in the operation, the government hoped to five billion euros.They included, alone or combined funds, the German airport operator Fraport and Spanish groups Ferrovial and Acciona Infrastructure.

TOO EXPENSIVE, THE WRONG TIME

The government demanded too high a price for the Madrid Barajas airport and El Prat in Barcelona, ​​said sources close to the discussions.

"The schedule would not allow privatization to complete just before the elections.But there was also a big difference in price compared to what the government called for the two airports, including Barajas, "said a senior bank in Madrid.

"For example, two funds that had joined the Spanish group Ferrovial Infrastructure sought a return on investment of 12-15%, while Barajas did not offer more than 10%," he added.

An American manager explained his part that "banks may have had the last word on this issue because it is they who will finance the transaction."

Most candidates have financed the operation with 20 to 30% of equity from the balance of the loan, he added.

"Given the pressure on Spanish banks by higher funding costs and rising ratios of their loans / deposits, they increasingly tend to cut back on corporate financing right now," continued the manager .

Three parties of the government resigned Slovak and the main opposition party have agreed to support a strengthening of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), TA3 television reported Wednesday.

The leaders of three of the four parties in the coalition government had met earlier with Robert Fico, the opposition party Smer, following the rejection by members of the text EFSF reform and the resignation of the government was liable to the vote.

A new vote in Parliament to be held by no later than Friday, said Robert Fico.

The government accepted the holding of early elections in March 2012 and will remain in the opposition Smer thus far, he added.

Slovakia is the last member state of the euro area has not ratified the plan, which strengthens the powers of the EFSF to fight against the debt crisis. Ratification by each of the 17 member countries is required for its entry into force.

A spokesman of the majority party SDKU had previously indicated that a second vote in Parliament could take place as early as Thursday if an agreement was reached with Smer.