Cultural Protectionism in the European Union Essay -- national film ind

Since the eighties the European Union (EU) is pursuing a more liberal mountain indemnity in its multilateral consider negotiations. This liberal approach is the event of the spay in company preferences in favour of free trade. The change in business preferences also made politicians to support trade liberalisation. (Young, 2007) objet dart the EU is a lead supporter when it comes to traditional trade policy, it is alternatively reluctant regarding the liberalisation in early(a) trade argonas. The European audiovisual aid industry is a good example to demonstrate the EUs protectionist approach. Though there are countries, above all the United States, who are in contrary to the EU, great supporters of the full liberalisation of audiovisual industry. The US government seeks for liberalization of audiovisual services within the framework of popular Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), while other countries, such as the member states of the European Union see the US and the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a threat to their movie theatre industry and national culture. In this paper within the European audiovisual area I give focus on the European sprout industry. The main question of the paper why does the EU pursue protectionist policy in case of its audiovisual sector, when in general it is expected to get along liberal trade policy? In order to explain the EUs behaviour, Alasdair R. Youngs (2007) division of trade policy will be used as theoretical framework. Young differentiates three aspects of trade policy traditional trade policy, commercial policy, social trade policy. conventional trade policy includes tariffs and other quantitative measures, occurring at the border in order to discriminate foreign goods. With the rise of export orientation of European manuf... ... WTO members commitment in audiovisual services very low. (WTO, 2009) None of the EU member states, nor any other European countries made commitments to liberalize its audiov isual sector, but they all asked for exemption from the MFN principle. On the other side entirely two countries with considerable economy opted for the liberalisation US and New Zealand. (Puppis, 2008) What would move on with the film industry in case of the liberalization of audiovisual sector? Why the EU and the member states are so resistant in this matter? Without the MFN exemption, or with more extended liberalization would lead to accession commercialization, even bigger US/ Hollywood share in the European cinemas and televisions. Under the MFN principle the European Union and its member states would not be allowed to set up programs like MEDIA, or quotas for European content. (Puppis, 2008)