EU competition commissioner: protectionism helps lame ducks

By Alex Singleton | 20 September 2005

The EU's competition commissioner Neelie Kroes told an audience in London last week that protectionism for "national champions" was really just support for "lame ducks". The message followed suggestions by the French government that France should ensure its major companies stay in French hands. "Confronted by insecurity and a collective loss of confidence, some in politics are quick to seek easy gains by advocating inward and regressive policies," Mr Kroes said.