P.M. BRIEFING : Sweden Rated Too Protectionist
Sweden was criticized in a GATT “report card” today for highly protectionist policies in the chemical, textile and agricultural industries.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade secretariat also indicated that Sweden has a low level of trade with developing countries.
Sweden is the world’s 15th biggest exporter and 18th biggest importer, GATT said, and merchandise imports and exports represent about half of the country’s gross domestic product.
GATT noted preferential duty-free industrial trade with fellow members of the European Free Trade Assn. and the European Community, with EFTA and the EC accounting for 70% of total Swedish trade.
However, GATT said developing countries enjoy only “a small share” of Swedish trade: less than 10% of the country’s total or about the same as that with the United States.
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