Johan Huizinga Quotes

I think that economic patriotism is the very foundation of a European vision.

Engineers in the developed world should be arguing not for protectionism but for trade agreements that seek to establish rules that result in a real rise in living standards. This will ensure that outsourcing is a positive force in the developing nation's economy and not an exploitative one.

There is a danger for Britain as we perceive ourselves, or as we are - less wealthy, facing economic austerity - that we essentially draw back. I think there is a recoil in parts of the country, and in parts of the government actually, from the multilateral system, and I think that's dangerous and wrong.

It will be said, however, that protection tends to destroy commerce, the civilizer of mankind. Directly the reverse, however, is the fact.

I am not a British isolationist. I don't just want a better deal for Britain. I want a better deal for Europe too.

I am an optimist about the UK. We have been involved in trade with our European partners, which we will always be doing whatever this relationship is. We are a member of the EU. That gives us benefits. But we have to figure out where that is going. In the world, we are a global trader already.

We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world's people share the benefits of globalization.

Europe should stick to an open economy, to competition and we should refuse protectionism. It will not save one single job in the long run to protect non-competitive industries.

It is in my heart that I believe most strongly that our future is within a reformed E.U. - not least because we now live in a global marketplace.

We don't want protectionism at the heart of the European Union.

Every country in the world protects its economy except the E.U. We would restore economic sovereignty and decision-making to France. We would protect strategic industries, and we would protect vital areas such as the energy sector. But we would not cut ourselves from the world. There could still be trade.

In Germany it is good if as many people as possible join initiatives and peaceful demonstrations against the rule of the financial markets. Worshipping the unfettered freedom of global markets has brought the world to the brink of ruin. We now need social and ecological rules for the market economy.

Since trade ignores national boundaries and the manufacturer insists on having the world as a market, the flag of his nation must follow him, and the doors of the nations which are closed against him must be battered down.

No nation, rich or poor, democratic or authoritarian, can escape the fundamental economic imperatives of the global market. No nation can escape its discipline. No nation can avoid its responsibility to do its part

My America is called Europe. It is my place of dreams.... Today the United States isn’t a solution, it’s a danger! ... Most of the things I like are in Europe... I hope Europe will show us a road to follow.

Globalization today is a globalization of markets, not a globalization of democracy.

Belief in the panacea-like qualities of free trade amounts to ‘collective insanity’.

Let's not pretend we're in a global free market when it comes to agriculture. Every country protects, for good reason, its agricultural industries.

France has always succeeded because it is part of the world.

You must stand up for multilateralism. You must make trade great again.

It's just so unfortunate that, as we get adjusted to this global economy, that the U.S. is even thinking about building walls.

I would love to help the textile sector, but at the same time, a big red flag is held by the automotive parts and automotive sector. They don't want to open up to the European Union.

The idea that you could send agricultural products to Tokyo and Osaka and not pay tariffs, and you would have to pay tariffs sending them to Manchester, is quite hard to fathom in the modern world.

If governments start to go it alone on trade, it will become harder, not easier, to generate the jobs and rising incomes that angry electorates want.

If we do not counter the argument that most radical nationlists use, which is, 'To protect is to be protectionist,' if we don't counter that argument, all of our economies will suffer.