EU moves toward six-week vaccine export cut

[DonViejo]

The controversial proposal says EU should block exports that ‘pose a threat’ to vaccine supplies in the bloc.

BY DAVID M. HERSZENHORN AND HANS VON DER BURCHARD

March 24, 2021 11:39 am

The European Commission is proposing controversial new rules that would let the EU slash vaccine exports for six weeks to places like the U.K. and U.S. — countries that are either receiving EU-made vaccines but not sending other shots back, or that have vaccinated more of their population than the EU.

The drastic proposal is set to be unveiled Wednesday, ahead of a virtual summit of EU leaders on Thursday and Friday. It comes amid mounting frustration in the EU about the bloc's sluggish vaccine rollout, as well as vaccine delivery delays from pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

However, the draft legislation — obtained by POLITICO — presents huge risks for the EU's reputation as a free-trade proponent and champion of sharing vaccine doses worldwide. EU countries still need to approve the rules before they take effect, though.

Since European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first floated the possibility of blocking vaccine exports, she has faced criticism from some EU diplomats and MEPs, who blasted the idea as "ill-conceived" and warned it could ignite a trade war. And the threat has already sparked considerable anger in Britain, which likely stands to lose the most if the EU follows through.

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https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-proposes-six-week-vaccine-export-ban-amid-fears-of-trade-war/