Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 945 - 853: The Iberian-Apennine Summit - Part 2

No wonder everyone is so surprised.

At this time, so-called international trade agreements mostly involve estimating tariffs on a whim, or prohibiting/allowing certain products.

When issues arise, either a big country pressures a smaller country to concede benefits, or they start a conflict directly.

The previous Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement was already a model of such agreements, and the current common market rules are even more advanced and civilized.

At least, from the perspective of all member countries, the clauses are flawless, treating both large and small countries equally, and even favoring smaller countries.

For example, there are provisions to protect disadvantaged industries in smaller countries. The election of the Arbitration Committee also grants one vote per member country, giving Modena and France the same level of influence.

Not joining such a perfect common market would be a disservice to oneself!

And these thoughts had long been anticipated by Joseph.

It’s no joke; the WTO rules created by numerous political and economic experts at the end of the twentieth century are so well-crafted that even countries in the information age find no faults, let alone these countries still in the early stages of industrialization.

It’s essentially a conceptual dimension reduction.

However, in reality, these clauses that appear fair and just to all member countries are inherently unfair.

It’s like having Tyson and Lin Daiyu box, with the rules binding them equally — is the match fair?

Similarly, France’s size and national strength allow it to completely overshadow other smaller countries under the same rules.

The simplest reason is that France can invest tens of millions of francs and gather numerous technicians to develop the Steam Engine, which smaller countries simply cannot do. Ultimately, they can only wait for French Steam Engines to conquer their markets.

Even if everyone’s technical capabilities are on the same level, France’s factories can easily recruit thousands of workers, using production capacity to lower costs, leaving smaller countries with no competitive power.

Of course, for smaller countries within such a vast market, they can still find their place in low-to-medium industries, gaining developmental opportunities that were previously out of reach.

It can be said that it’s ultimately a win-win situation.

Of course, the premise for such a common market to be established is France’s absolute military influence over the region within the market. Otherwise, even if a common market is formed, other countries could use cannons to teach you what "free trade" means.

Genoa Governor Abiasso only skimmed through the text of the common market clauses before being the first to stand up with a determined tone: "Genoa is willing to join the common market!"

For a trade-oriented country like Genoa, the common market is simply a benevolence from Jesus. By being the first to express willingness, he can also increase the Crown Prince of France’s favor, hence he did it with pleasure.

Prince of Parma, who had previously questioned the agreement clauses, quickly amended his stance, loudly declaring: "Parma also joins the common market. The great France will illuminate the Apennine Peninsula with the brilliance of civilization and prosperity through this agreement!"

With these two countries leading, other countries quickly followed suit.

Anyway, specific negotiations on tariffs, market protection, etc., can come later, as long as their stance is clearly expressed first.

After Joseph and other country representatives had declared their intentions, he nodded, saying: "Since everyone is interested in joining the common market, let’s conduct the inaugural committee election tomorrow and quickly start negotiations on protective tariffs thereafter."

He then presented an even greater surprise, gesturing towards a second document in front of everyone: "After signing the common market agreement, we will acknowledge each other’s patents and adhere to the same market rules.

"This will lay the foundation for technology authorization and large-scale investment."

As expected, the representatives’ eyes immediately lit up with eagerness, fixated on the Crown Prince of France.

Joseph looked towards Luka’s Trade Minister, continuing: "For example, the Luka Republic can join our ’Textile Technology Association.’

"By paying a small patent fee and membership fee, they can obtain a complete set of automatic looms.

"The technology association can even directly invest in building new factories for you and dispatch technicians to train workers."

Luka’s Trade Minister Paduan’s eyes widened in disbelief, his face full of astonishment.

Despite being a coastal country, Luka, the smallest in Italy, has little port shipping income — neighboring Genoa monopolizes this business — yet its silk textile industry is very prosperous.

If they could obtain France’s latest silk weaving technology and investment, combined with the vast common market, wouldn’t their profits soar?!

He stood up excitedly, continuously expressing his gratitude to Joseph, almost composing a poem of praise on the spot.

Joseph then turned to the Count of Florida Blanca from Spain: "The French Brewing Technology Association will also open its doors to Iberia. Spain’s wine quality will experience a leap and, alongside French wine, conquer the market across Europe!"

The latter was even more excited than Paduan.

In recent years, Spanish wine has been overshadowed by French products, synonymous with absolute low-end, only consumed by the poorest.

Now the generous Crown Prince of France is offering to teach French brewing techniques.

This is simply a gift from Jesus!

But as a representative of a major country, although he repeated his gratitude to Joseph several times, he wasn’t as obsequious as Paduan.

Of course, Joseph wasn’t aiming to be a good Samaritan.

Industry chain division is part of his plan.

Whether it’s weaving technology or brewing technology, the barrier isn’t high — within three to five years, other countries can almost imitate them.

Instead of that, why not authorize them through legitimate channels and earn a large sum in patent fees and membership dues for technology associations?

Additionally, patent authorization can restrict other countries’ technology upgrades, keeping them perpetually in the low-to-medium industry chain.

Just like the Oriental countries’ automobile industry in later generations, they couldn’t produce quality gearboxes for a long time, largely because all existing gearbox structures are patented by other countries; if you produce them, you’re infringing. Designing a brand-new system wouldn’t perform very well — the optimal design has already been patented by others, leaving only discarded solutions for you.

Moreover, technology transfer can increase the attractiveness and cohesion of the common market, ensuring no opposition when Joseph makes minor requests. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Seeing the representatives passionately discussing, Joseph lightly coughed and said:

"I believe everyone has noticed that for technology transfer and investment within the common market, and to facilitate large-scale international trade, a standardized settlement institution is needed.

"For instance, a large bank belonging to the common market that can handle trade prepayments, settlements, payments, and loans for all member countries."