France Launches Prgm. in US to Monitor Trade Reprisals

Hoovers Financial News ^ | March 29, 2003

[nwrep]

France launches program to monitor US trade reprisals

March 29, 2003 7:37am

There is concern among French businessmen over whether they may be about to suffer the consequences of the diplomatic row between Paris and Washington. Already Republican congressmen have urged Donald Rumsfeld to abrogate a contract important to France, worth nearly 1bn dollars, involving the French company Sodexo which provides the catering for several military bases in the USA.

As it turns out the contract will not be affected, but the French are far from reassured and have in fact set in operation in the USA what they describe as alert networks. Marc Lebeaupin explains:

[Reporter] The publication in the American press of an advert calling for a boycott of a number of French companies and brand names has added justification to this monitoring operation. It brings together our country's diplomatic representations and the whole network of foreign trade bodies, including the managements of French enterprises.

The purpose of the operation is to make sure that the United States abides by World Trade Organization rules, that French groups are not sidelined from tenders, and also that French products do not fall victim to administrative skulduggery.

Foreign Trade Minister Francois Loos deems this alertness necessary, even though for the moment nothing untoward has happened:

[Loos] What we must be on the lookout for are the controls to which businesses are subjected. Our products must not be blocked by customs for unduly long periods, for example. There's a whole series of malicious actions that can be taken, but so far we have detected none and, on the contrary, the feeling is that our companies know how to defend themselves through the quality of their products.

[Reporter] This monitoring operation was reactivated three weeks ago. The last time it was used was nearly 10 years ago, at the times of France's last nuclear tests in the Pacific.

Source: Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 1045 gmt 29 Mar 03

/© BBC Monitoring

Publication: BBC Monitoring International Reports

Distributed by Financial Times Information Limited - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Copyright © 2003 BBC Monitoring International Reports. All Rights Reserved.

[nicmarlo]

ROFLMAO

[Illbay]

Yes, you see, Evian is an example of an "imported food" product. A sales drop in Evian or Perrier or Ferrero-Rochet (sp) chocolates and the like, will be immediately felt IN FRANCE. (Yes, there are Americans in the "food chain"--importers, distributors and the like--but they do other business with non-French suppliers as well, and would likely not be as affected).

Again, this is far more effective than just reading a list of companies that are "French-owned," because most such are multinationals. Many "French" products are likely assembled elsewhere including here.

A hotel or motel, even though part of a "French" corporation, likely has more U.S. staff and management (even ownership in the case of franchisees) than French for their U.S. operations.

But the foodstuffs and ESPECIALLY the tourism--that hits 'em where they live!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

What are they gonna do? Post undercover agents at 7-11's to see if folks are buying Calistoga instead of Perrier? Their consequences will be delivered by the Americvan People, and there isn't a damned thing they can do about it. One reaps what one has sown. Time for the duplicitous French to reap their bitter harvest.

[Cultural Jihad]

I'm PRO-actively boycotting France. I filled out a comment card from my local Safeway about them buying French products and NOT supporting our troops. So far I've gotten three calls (messages)from their customer satisfaction group...

Business takes notice with your one card because they know there are probably 10,000 others who think just like you, but who didn't bother to fill a comment card out. A handful of such cards carries a lot of weight.

[annyokie]

[freebilly]

The purpose of the operation is to make sure that the United States abides by World Trade Organization rules, that French groups are not sidelined from tenders, and also that French products do not fall victim to administrative skulduggery.

Eat merde and die...!

[lavaroise]

THIS IS A FRONT FOR ANTI US GOVERNMENT SUBVERSIVE REVOLUTIONARIAN ACTIVITIES. FRENCH GESTAPO ON US SOIL!!!!

[Illbay]

What the Europeans don't understand is the patriotism of americans. It is something very foreign to them.

That might be generally true, but it is a matter of degree.

As we can see by the behavior of the "war" protestors, the Dem politicians, the media elites and the like, there are PLENTY of people here at home who have little regard for what WE call "patriotism" (to them, as Gary Hart explained it last night on "Hannity & Colmes", "Patriotism" means "wanting the people of your country to have things like health care and social security.")

But there are even more people here who DO observe the classic definition of "Patriotism": "Love of country before self."

There are many Europeans who feel this way as well--especially in countries like Great Britain, where membership and participation in the E.U. continues to be highly controversial. Remember that Denmark actually rejected the "Edinburgh Agreement" several years ago, until they were bullied by--who else?--France and Germany into signing it on penalty of drastic sanctions against them.

And there are many "nationalistic movements" going on right now, in the Netherlands, in Denmark, in Scotland, and in France (Le Pen's people).

These movements are considered by the pan-unionists to be "fascistic," but that doesn't maean much--socialists label anything "fascistic" that doesn't meet their "standards."

[mountaineer]

Check out this great blog, Merde In France, for all the latest on what's really going on in pro-Saddam France.

[mewzilla]

...label the countries of origin of the cheeses, such as Camembert from Germany.

Say what? They're trying to pass off French cheese as German in order to sell it?

[americanbychoice]

well, drive through Europe and observe the number of flags there. Of course, after a soccer game that is different.
Health Insurance has absolutely nothing to do with Patriotism. The left was indoctrinated by Hillarycare. The only thing they didn't tell them is the cost of a Government sponsored health care system. Nothing is free. Even the Germans have to pay a great deal of money to get substandard health care on a national level and the system is totally broke.

[JudgemAll]

Jacouille Chirac has again struck excrement at the US. (, couille meaning cojones or balls, Jacouile is the filthy excrement happy character that so much represents Chirac's ilk, although in cuter and kinder in the movie)

[DoughtyOne]

Aw hell, just expel their diplomats as spys and get it over with.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

I have a similar tale. The wife and I celebrated our anniversary at a very trendy, upscale restaurant in New Jersey. While we were perusing the wine list, I remarked to the waiter that it might take me a moment, since I had to make sure I didn't accidentally choose a French wine. I asked if others had been making similar remarks. He laughed and showed me the dessert menu, where the "Warm, Flaky Apple Tart" has replaced the "French Apple Tart." Apparently, a customer had pulled one of the dessert menus out of the plastic holder and crossed out the word, "French." The owner, seeing the handwriting on the wall, made the change. Of course, this won't affect France, but it is nice to know that the sentiment is growing.

[FreeManWhoCan]

"The purpose of the operation is to make sure that the United States abides by World Trade Organization rules."

WTO+UN+BILL CLINTON = NIGHTMARE

[f.Christian]

Liberals // french ...

anti right (( smarts // succesful )) --- pro wrong (( stupid // losers )) !

[snopercod]

FRENCH PRODUCTS & COMPANIES TO BOYCOTT:

> Air France
> Air Liquide
> Airbus
> Alcatel
> Allegra (allergy medication)
> Aqualung (including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest)
> AXA Advisors
> Bank of the West (owned by BNP Paribas)
> Beneteau (boats)
> BF Goodrich (owned by Michelin)
> BIC (razors, pens and lighters)
> Biotherm (cosmetics)
> Black Bush
> Bollinger (champagne)
> Car & Driver Magazine
> Cartier
> Chanel
> Chivas Regal (scotch)
> Christian Dior
> Club Med (vacations)
> Culligan(owned by Vivendi)
> Dannon (yogurt and dairy foods)
> DKNY
> Dom Perignon
> Durand Crystal
> Elle Magazine
> Essilor Optical Products
> Evian
> Fina gas stations and Fina Oil (billions invested in Iraqi oil fields)
> First Hawaiian Bank
> George Magazine
> Givenchy
> Glenlivet (scotch)
> Hennessy
> Houghton Mifflin (books)
> Jacobs Creek (owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989)
> Jameson (whiskey)
> Jerry Springer (talk show)
> Krups (coffee and cappuccino makers).
> Lancome
> Le Creuset (cookware)
> L'Oreal (health and beauty products)
> Louis Vuitton
> Marie Claire
> Martel Cognac
> Maybelline
> Mé°¨isto (shoes and clothes)
> Michelin (tires and auto parts)
> Mikasa (crystal andglass)
> Moet (champagne)
> Motel 6
> Motown Records
> MP3.com
> Mumms (champagne)
> Nissan (cars; majority owned by Renault)
> Nivea
> Normany Butter
> Parents Magazine
> Peugeot (automobiles)
> Pierre Cardin
> Playstation Magazine
> ProScan (owned by Thomson Electronics, France)
> Publicis Group (including Saatchi &Saatchi Advertising)
> RCA (televisions and electronics; owned by Thomson Electronics)
> Red Magazine
> Red Roof Inns (owned by Accor group in France).
> Renault (automobiles)
> Road & Track Magazine
> Roquefort cheese (all Roquefort cheese is made in France)
> Rowenta (toasters, irons, coffee makers,etc.)
> Royal Canadian
> Salomon (skis)
> Sierra Software and Computer Games
> Smart & Final
> Sofitel (hotels, owned by Accor)
> Sparkletts (water, owned by Danone)
> Spencer Gifts
> Sundance Channel
> Taylor Made (golf). Technicolor
> T-Fal (kitchenware)
> Total gas stations
> UbiSoft (computer games)
> Uniroyal
> Universal Studios (music, movies and amusement parks; owned by
> Vivendi-Universal).
> USFilter
> Veritas Group
> Veuve Clicquot Champagne
> Vittel
> Vivendi
> Wild Turkey (bourbon)
> Woman's Day Magazine
> Yoplait (The French company Sodiaal owns a 50 percent stake)
> Yves Saint Laurent
> Zodiac Inflatable Boats

[b4its2late]

They don't have to launch a thing. They'll feel it in their pockets way before they have a chance to start to monitor it.......French cheese, pituey. French wine, pituey.

FRENCH PRODUCT LIST
Air Liquide,
Alcatel,
Allegra (allergy medication),
Aqualung (including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest),
AXA Advisors Bank of the West (owned by BNP Paribas),
Beneteau (boats),
BF Goodrich (owned by Michelin),
BIC (razors, pens and lighters),
Biotherm (cosmetics),
Black Bush, Bollinger (champagne),
Car & Driver Magazine,
Cartier,
Chanel,
Cheese labeled "Product of France",
Chivas Regal (scotch),
Christian Dior,
Christian Lacroix,
Club Med (vacations),
Culligan (owned by Vivendi),
Daniel Cremieux,
Dannon (yogurt and dairy foods),
DKNY,
Dom Perignon,
Durand Crystal,
Elle Magazine,
Essilor Optical Products,
Evian bottled water,
Fina gas stations and Fina Oil (billions invested in Iraqi oil fields),
First Hawaiian Bank,
George Magazine,
Givenchy,
Glenlivet (scotch),
Hachette Filipacchi New Media, Hennessy,
Houghton Mifflin (books),
Jacobs Creek (owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989),
Jameson (whiskey),
Jerry Springer (talk show)
Krups (coffee and cappuccino makers),
Lancome,
Le Creuset (cookware),
L'Oreal (health and beauty products),
Louis Vuitton,
Magellan Navigational Equipment,
Marie Claire,
Martel Cognac,
Maybelline,
Méphisto (shoes and clothes),
Michelin (tires and auto parts),
Mikasa (crystal and glass),
Moet (champagne),
Motel 6,
Motown Records,
MP3.com,
Mumms (champagne),
Nissan (cars; majority owned by Renault),
Nivea,
Normany Butter,
Ondeo/Nalco Water Treatement,
Parents Magazine,
Peugeot (automobiles),
Perrier Sparkling Water, Pierre Cardin,
Playstation Magazine,
ProScan (owned by Thomson Electronics, France),
Publicis Group (including Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising),
RCA (televisions and electronics; owned by Thomson Electronics),
Red Magazine,
Red Roof Inns (owned by Accor group in France),
Renault (automobiles),
Road & Track Magazine,
Roquefort cheese (all Roquefort cheese is made in France),
Rowenta (toasters, irons, coffee makers, etc,),
Royal Canadian,
Salomon (skis),
Seagram's Gin,
Sierra Software and Computer Games, Sitram Cookware,
Smart & Final,
Sofitel (hotels, owned by Accor),
Sparkletts (water, owned by Danone),
Spencer Gifts,
Sundance Channel,
Taylor Made (golf),
Technicolor,
T-Fal (kitchenware),
Total gas stations,
UbiSoft (computer games),
Uniroyal,
Universal Studios (music, movies and amusement parks; owned by Vivendi-Universal),
USFilter,
Veuve Clicquot Champagne,
Vittel,
VIVENDI-SEAGRAM,
Wild Turkey (bourbon),
Wine and Champagne labeled "Product of France",
Woman's Day Magazine,
Yoplait (The French company Sodiaal owns a 50 percent stake),
Yves Saint Laurent,
Yves Rocher,
Zodiac Inflatable Boats.

[toenail]

[b4its2late]

You beat me......not by much. By a French hair, I imagine.