S&T cooperation: Comparative Strategy of Europe

 Extract AP:
Angelos Pangratis, Deputy Head of the European Commission spoke about China, India USA and the EUs strategies. He questioned the impression that the EU and the USA are losing manufacturing to China. In deed, the EU had a trade surplus in 2007. The imports into the EU are industrial materials that allow the EU to add quality and value to goods. He concluded that China has its own problems, including a state monopoly that has overinvested in some sectors. He also questioned the quality of products, the lack of high technology capacity, uncontrolled urbanization, deteriorating water and air quality and the need for venture capital. He noted that the EU is a major investor in India. There have been difficulties in negotiating agreements with India, in part because of India’s lack of action on climate control. Another concern is India’s nuclear arsenal and the tensions with Pakistan. The EU will continue to seek more engagement with India on global issues.