‘EU may demand easing of car import rules’ (with South Korea to equal what US gets)

[pampango]

Source: Korea Herald

Seoul’s top trade official implied Tuesday Europe may demand Korea offer more leeway to its carmakers in meeting local environmental regulations in light of Korea’s concessions to the U.S. in the recently retooled trade agreement. In an interview with a local radio station, Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said that he has considered that the European Union may demand similar conditions as the U.S., and that he had similar views.

“Automobiles imported from the U.S. were given 19 percent reductions,” Kim said. “There is a possibility that the EU may demand same conditions, and in fact I have similar thoughts.”

The concessions by Seoul have been received with fierce criticism by opposition parties, and are also thought to have prompted the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK) to take a second look at the Korea-EU FTA.

According to reports, the EUCCK is reviewing automotive clauses in the Korea-EU FTA that may be disadvantageous to European carmakers compared to those provided to U.S. firms by Korea’s trade pact with the United States. It is also said to be considering additional demands from the Korean government after it has conferred with the EU.


Read more: http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101207000986

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The EU just concluded their trade agreement with South Korea in September. Sounds like they are envious of the automotive clauses that Obama was able to wring from the Koreans in our trade agreement with them just concluded.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Probably find

this is all about VW Golfs. :)