This report on “The risk of Rising Protectionism in Europe” is the first in a series which CMS will be publishing in conjunction with Oxford Analytica on topics which should be of interest and significance to all commercial enterprises operating in the important European market. The report has two sections; first, a commentary from the CMS team involved in the initiative and then the main body of the Oxford Analytica study. As lawyers we will naturally be looking at the issues concerned from a legal perspective but not exclusively so; our intention is also to examine and, we hope, throw some light on the broader commercial, regulatory, fiscal and political aspects of our chosen topics.
Some of the issues we will be discussing will have geographical implications which extend beyond Europe. At CMS, however, we think of ourselves very much as citizens of Europe since, of our 2,200 plus lawyers operating from 48 cities around the world, the substantial majority is based in and is offering practical legal advice from within Europe. Our main aim, therefore, is to consider the relevant issues with a European focus and to assess their likely impact on the future development of Europe, particularly as they affect the commercial and corporate environment in which all of our clients have to manage their own businesses with a view to profitability.
CMS has chosen Oxford Analytica as its partner for the proven quality of its research and analysis. We are confident that in doing so we will be able to publish a series of reports which will have the scope and rigour necessary to stimulate a healthy and productive debate within your own organisations and possibly more widely. In some areas which are still evolving there will as yet be no right or wrong answers. In relation to those, we would not be so presumptuous as to claim that the views we express or the conclusions we reach are likely to be any more accurate than your own. However, by creating the framework and forum for the debate we hope to be able to educate and perhaps encourage others to find the right solutions.
This is a challenging time economically and politically for Europe. But we should not discount Europe’s continuing position at the centre of the world stage, notwithstanding the emergence of future economic powerhouses in countries such as China and India. In spring 2007 the value of all Euros in circulation exceeded for the first time the value of US dollars in circulation and the outlook for the Eurozone for 2008 at least is looking more healthy than in some other major economies or regions. So finding the right answers in Europe to the various issues confronting the business community is likely to have benefits and consequences further afield. CMS and Oxford Analytica hope that this and subsequent reports might make some contribution to the wider debate.
For a full copy of the report go to the download information tab on the right side of this page.
Cornelius Brandi
Chairman CMS Executive Committee
T +49 69 71701 522
E cornelius.brandi@cmslegal.com