Nation needs to be 'more proactive'

As the G20 summit opens tomorrow, Jean-Pierre Lehmann, professor of International Political Economy at the world-renowned business school IMD, talks to China Daily reporter Fu Jing about protectionism and his expectations from the summit.

Q: Regarding protectionism, how do you feel about the performance of developed countries, especially the US?

A: Protectionism has been on the rise over the past year. There is conventional protectionism, which is raising barriers, tariff or non-tariff, on the import of goods, agricultural goods or manufactured goods. There is financial protectionism, which is blocking overseas investments or discouraging national banks from lending to foreign clients. This is taking place in a significant way in Europe. Then there is the protectionism that emanates from stimulus plans. In the case of the US, there is a 'buy American' clause that was included as part of the stimulus package and insisted upon by the Congress. One thing, which the Chinese will obviously be aware of, is green protectionism, which is when environmental or climatic change issues can be used as measures to try to discourage imports.