EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has fired back at criticism by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, arguing that Mr Sarkozy's statements were "undermining" the EU's position in world trade talks. "I am being undermined and Europe's negotiating position in the world trade talks is being weakened and I regret that," Mr Mandelson told the BBC's Newsnight programme on Tuesday (1 July). The trade commissioner is "mystified" by Mr Sarkozy's criticism "It is very disappointing because the mandate under which I am negotiating in the world trade talks - and trying on Europe's behalf to bring them to a successful conclusion - has been agreed by all the member states," he added. Speaking on French national television on Monday - on the eve of the launch of the French EU presidency - France's president again accused the British commissioner of offering too many concessions during the talks. "[WTO chief] Mr Lamy and Mr Mandelson want to make us accept a deal under which Europe would commit to cutting farm output by 20 percent and reduce farm exports by 10 percent," Mr Sarkozy told national television channel France 3 on Monday.
EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has fired back at criticism by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, arguing that Mr Sarkozy's statements were "undermining" the EU's position in world trade talks.
"I am being undermined and Europe's negotiating position in the world trade talks is being weakened and I regret that," Mr Mandelson told the BBC's Newsnight programme on Tuesday (1 July).
The trade commissioner is "mystified" by Mr Sarkozy's criticism
"It is very disappointing because the mandate under which I am negotiating in the world trade talks - and trying on Europe's behalf to bring them to a successful conclusion - has been agreed by all the member states," he added.
Speaking on French national television on Monday - on the eve of the launch of the French EU presidency - France's president again accused the British commissioner of offering too many concessions during the talks.
"[WTO chief] Mr Lamy and Mr Mandelson want to make us accept a deal under which Europe would commit to cutting farm output by 20 percent and reduce farm exports by 10 percent," Mr Sarkozy told national television channel France 3 on Monday.
Smouldering rivalry between Peter Mandelson, the EU's trade commissioner, and Nicolas Sarkozy, its incoming president, has reignited with a vengeance. And this time it's embarrassingly personal. John Lichfield on a clash between two of Europe's mightiest egosIn the blue corner, messieurs-dames, we have the feisty French bantam cock, Nicolas "six brains" Sarkozy. In the red corner, ladies and gentlemen, we have the tricky British peacock, Peter "prince of darkness" Mandelson. This is a heavyweight contest, not in physique, but in subject matter. Two of Europe's vainest and cleverest politicians are trading punches over trade. When were world trade negotiations last so entertaining? You do not have to know all about tariff coefficients, ceilings and waivers to enjoy what is going on (but it helps). M. Sarkozy has mostly punched with his left fist. he accuses Mr Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, of (wham, bang) betraying French farmers and African babies by imposing his "ultra-free-market" doctrine and trying to dismantle European farm protection and subsidies. After bobbing and weaving for two weeks, Mr Mandelson finally replied with a right hook. He accuses M. Sarkozy, who has just taken over the EU presidency, of (smash, bang, wallop) betraying European unity at the world trade talks which resume in Geneva on 21 July. By calling into question the EU pro-free-trade negotiating position, Mr Mandelson says M. Sarkozy is threatening to destroy seven years of negotiations and plunge the world into tit-for-tat protectionism and recession.
In the blue corner, messieurs-dames, we have the feisty French bantam cock, Nicolas "six brains" Sarkozy. In the red corner, ladies and gentlemen, we have the tricky British peacock, Peter "prince of darkness" Mandelson.
This is a heavyweight contest, not in physique, but in subject matter. Two of Europe's vainest and cleverest politicians are trading punches over trade. When were world trade negotiations last so entertaining? You do not have to know all about tariff coefficients, ceilings and waivers to enjoy what is going on (but it helps). M. Sarkozy has mostly punched with his left fist. he accuses Mr Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, of (wham, bang) betraying French farmers and African babies by imposing his "ultra-free-market" doctrine and trying to dismantle European farm protection and subsidies.
After bobbing and weaving for two weeks, Mr Mandelson finally replied with a right hook. He accuses M. Sarkozy, who has just taken over the EU presidency, of (smash, bang, wallop) betraying European unity at the world trade talks which resume in Geneva on 21 July. By calling into question the EU pro-free-trade negotiating position, Mr Mandelson says M. Sarkozy is threatening to destroy seven years of negotiations and plunge the world into tit-for-tat protectionism and recession.
