Working lunch with the European Commissioner Peter Mandelson

The working lunch with the European Commissioner Peter Mandelson has brought the attention to the delicate and complex issue of trade policy prior to the Doha Round scheduled in December in Hong Kong. Participants generally agreed that greater caution is required in further trade liberalization: Italy needs more time to prepare for trade challenges that arrive mainly from China, India – in the IT sector – and from the "green giant" Brazil. The Commissioner stressed the importance of a successful outcome for the Doha Round, as this would benefit everyone and a possible failure could initiate strong protectionism and potential trade wars.