The French government is worried that France could be losing its market share in world trade after figures showed a record deficit.
In the first half of this year, the amount of imports increased 3.5 per cent on the previous six-month period, while exports grew just 2.6 per cent.
Figures from the World Trade Organisation showed France’s share of world trade had dropped from 5.1 per cent in 2000, to 4.9 per cent this year.
Reasons for the shortfall are not completely clear, although some have indicated that high oil prices impacting on the energy sector, and a general lack of competitiveness could be to blame.
