Europeans warn boycotts could hurt trade

Foreign Trade

24 April 2008

Boycotts of European companies operating in China could potentially trigger a backlash in Europe against Chinese exports, said Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the AP reported. Crowds gathered outside outlets of Carrefour in at least nine cities on the mainland in the past week, following calls on the internet to boycott the French retailer over its alleged support for the Dalai Lama. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu called the protests "encouraging and touching," though she added that "we do not agree with some people's radical actions," possibly signaling that the government wants to dampen displays of anti-foreign sentiment. Meanwhile, former French prime minister Jean-Paul Raffarin criticized the city of Paris's decision to make the Dalai Lama an honorary citizen.

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