Buyers' market

Article Abstract:

Improvements in EC-legislated consumer protection may be long in coming despite the movement's resurgence, due largely to member-states' adherence to subsidiarity, the taking up at EC level of only those matters that cannot be better resolved by national authorites. This principle became popular following the rejection of the Maastricht treaty by Denmark. Information, language, after-sales service and differing consumer laws between EC states are only a few of the many problems that compromise the European customer's mobility. The reality of a single market thus prompted policymakers to enact measures to provide inter-border consumer protection. To this end, the Consumer Policy Service and the Consumers' Consultative Council were created by the European Commission in 1989. However, few consumer protection measures have been approved by the EC Parliament, due to individual state opposition.

Laws, regulations and rules, Consumer protection, Economic policy, Political aspects, Subsidiarity

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Belgium's strong drinks

Article Abstract:

The Belgian brewing industry is looking beyond the local market in its bid to tap into the world beer-drinking market. The 1990s have witnessed the merger of several smaller outfits and the consolidation of rival breweries in Belgium as local consumption of alcoholic drinks dropped in Northern Europe as a result of a growing trend towards healthier lifestyles. One beer producer that has emerged as a major force in Belgium subsequent to the string of consolidations is Interbrew. The company is viewed as the only Belgian brewery with the necessary resources to compete for a significant share of the world beer market. Interbrew will rely on its various brewing interests in countries such Hungary, the Benelux, Italy, Central Africa, and brewing licenses in the UK, Australia and Canada to tap into the market for specialty beers.

Malt beverages, Industry Overview, Belgium, Brewing industry, Breweries, Interbrew S.A.

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Taking the road to Japan

Article Abstract:

Exports from the European Community (EC) to Japan totaled 25 billion European currency units (ECUs) in 1990, but imports from Japan were twice as large, producing a large deficit. The history of EC-Japan trade relations has been characterized by Japan's arbitrary tariffs on exports in order to promote protectionism. The EC has entered into talks with Japan on removing its arbitrary tariffs in order to promote EC imports and reduce the trade deficit between the EC and Japan, but Japan in Oct 90 reconfirmed its tariff on EC-manufactured shoes that exceed a quota in order to preserve the prosperity of its domestic leather industry. The EC may benefit by the US-initiated Structural Impediments Initiative talks with Japan which seek reforms in Japan's distribution system which many experts cite as a main obstacle to free trade.

United States, Analysis, Japan, International relations, Japanese foreign relations, United States foreign relations, European Economic Community, Structural Impediments Initiative

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