Europe
        

Economy

Sarkozy appeals for G20 moves on food prices, tax

Updated: 2011-01-25 17:11

(Agencies)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on Monday for an open G20 discussion of monetary reform and regulation of commodity markets, saying food price rises risked causing riots.

Sarkozy, who was spelling out France's goals this year as holder of the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 economic powers, said agricultural commodity prices had recently topped the peaks that sparked riots in 2008.

Sarkozy appeals for G20 moves on food prices, tax
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a G20 and G8 news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, January 24, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]



"If we don't do anything we run the risk of food riots in the poorest countries and a very unfavourable effect on global economic growth," he said in an address at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

"The day there are food riots, what country at the G20 table will say this does not concern them? I don't see a single one."

He also called again for an international financial transaction tax to help meet goals of finding $100 billion a year to fund development at a time when many countries who made those promises are deep in debt.

E-paper

Chinese tourists as top shoppers

Since last summer, Chinese tourists emerged as the top tax-free shoppers in Europe.

Golden run ahead
Looking abroad
Mapping out a plan

European Edition

Specials

The green lantern

Environmental concerns are shedding new light on a colorful tradition

Inland interchange

Chongqing bets on its position as a hub for China's west.

Zooming in on Chinese skies

Helicopter companies ride on country's growing interest in luxury aviation.

Adventures of Pierre
Top 10 of 2010
China Daily in Europe