In a report released today, European Commission said, in 2018, China had the highest stock of recorded barriers, with 37 obstacles hindering EU export and investment opportunities. Russia was a close second with 34 barriers in place. India (25), Indonesia (25) and US (23) followed. On new barriers, Algeria and India topped with five new measures. US and China followed with four new measures each.
Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said: “In the complex context we have today with a growing number of trade tensions and protectionist measures, the EU must keep defending the interests of its companies in the global markets. Making sure that the existing rules are respected is of utmost importance. Thanks to our successful interventions, 123 barriers hindering EU exports opportunities have been removed since I took office in late 2014. Working on specific problems reported by our companies we manage to deliver economic benefits equivalent in value to those brought by the EU’s trade agreements. Those efforts certainly must continue.”
