b'Appendix 13: How An AppointedCommissionerCould Have EmbroiledThe UK In A Trade War With ChinaFrustrated and outflanked; Karel De Gucht By Joshua Chaffin | Financial Times The EU commissioner has beenthe European parliament that evening. Far outmanoeuvred by China, which hasfrom conceding doubts about his case, he exposed deep weaknesses in the blocslashed out at Beijing for bullying European trade policy by lobbying national capitals in agovernments. They are not going to dispute over solar panels.impress me by putting pressure on individual member states, you know,he Just as Karel De Gucht was poised tosaid, waving a finger. I couldnt care deliver a historic blow against China Incsless. export juggernaut, something unexpected happened.But, in fact, the revolt forced Mr De Gucht to seek the settlement that was finally agreed It was May and Mr De Gucht, the EU tradeon Saturday - a deal that European solar commissioner, was preparing to imposemanufacturers lambasted as a capitulation punishing duties against Chinese-made solarbut others described more charitably as a panels in the blocs biggest anti-dumpingdecent outcome for a commissioner in an case, when a majority of member states - leduntenable position. by Germany - turned against him. For Brussels, the solar case has always been The commissioner was stung, according toabout more than just the future of the solar people close to him but still gave a defiantpanel industry. It has been the EUs sternest performance when he went before thetest of whether member states can hold European parliament that The EUtogether and maintain a united trade policy commissioner has been outmanoeuvred byin the face of intense pressure from abroad China, which has exposed deep weaknesses- in this case, from a country that Brussels in the blocs trade policy by lobbying nationalbelieves is using the levers of state power to capitals in a dispute over solar panelsundermine European manufacturers.Just as Karel De Gucht was poised toNational governments have ceded unusual deliver a historic blow against China Incspower to Brussels to pursue a common EU export juggernaut, something unexpectedtrade policy, an arrangement that even ardent happened.eurosceptics have generally acknowledged to be a success. In theory, the EUs combined It was May and Mr De Gucht, the EU tradeheft gives it greater clout on the world stage commissioner, was preparing to impose- be it negotiating trade agreements or punishing duties against Chinese-madecountering abuses by trading partners. solar panels in the blocs biggest anti- But, as the solar case demonstrated, dumping case, when a majority of memberBrussels power is limited to how far national states - led by Germany - turned againstcapitals will let it go. Many ultimately look after their own interests - particularly when The commissioner was stung, accordingsubjected to the commercial pressure that to people close to him but still gave aBeijing can apply either by opening the door defiant performance when he went beforeto lucrative contracts or slamming it.218'