How to keep a competitive environment while engaging with non market economies?

How can we ensure fair competition between European firms and Chinese state-backed players?

Date and time: 19 November 2020 14:00-16:45

Speakers

Helge Berger

Assistant Director, Asia and Pacific Department, IMF,

Carles Esteva Mosso

Deputy Director-General, European Commission, DG COMP,

Hylke Vandenbussche

Professor and Head of international economics, University of Leuven,

Frédéric Jenny

Chairman of the OECD Competition Committee,

Michiel Boots

Chief Economist, The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, The Netherlands,

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are key players in the Chinese economy, and increasingly, in the world. Twenty of the 100 largest global firms are now Chinese SOEs, from just a handful in 2008.

European policy-makers are worried about the growing weight of Chinese state-backed players--which includes SOEs as well as mixed-ownership and fully private companies that enjoy preferential treatment. Chinese state support could distort competition in the single market and the current trade policy frameworks provide inadequate protection. The European Commission recently proposed to reinforce its framework (the White Paper on Foreign Subsidies). Can the proposed new rules ensure fair competition between European firms and Chinese state-backed players?

In the first session, panelists will review the latest evidence about the role of Chinese SOEs and discuss the gaps in the existing trade policy frameworks. The second session will focus on solutions. Is the White Paper proposal adequate? Are there better alternatives? What if China retaliates?

This is an invitation-only event, open only to Bruegel members and selected invitees.