France Economic combat

French national strategic interest does not extend to food. For those worried about Gallic protectionism, the list of sectors in which the government can block foreign takeovers, reported in Les Echos, might appear tame. Even the most fervent defenders of free markets would grant the French the right to protect its military industries. Keeping an eye on who owns casinos – an easy sector for money laundering – is hardly any more controversial. And the control of biological defences sounds innocuo...