Philip Aghion (69, France), a professor at Collège de France who won the Nobel Prize in economics, criticized U.S. President Trump's protectionism, saying that "openness is a driver of growth."
On the 13th (local time), after the announcement of the Nobel economics prize, Aghion, in interviews with major foreign media including AP, AFP, and Reuters, was asked about President Trump's protectionism and the trade war and said, "I do not welcome the United States' protectionist approach. It is not good for the world's growth and innovation."
He said, "Dark clouds gather wherever barriers to trade and openness arise," adding, "I do not welcome the wave of U.S. protectionism."
Aghion also stressed that Europe should take a more proactive approach to technological innovation. He said, "European countries need to realize that they must not cede the position of technological leadership to the United States and China or be defeated by these countries," adding, "Europe opposes all forms of industrial policy under the banner of competition policy, and it needs to find ways to improve here."
Citing areas such as defense, environment, artificial intelligence (AI), and biotechnology, Aghion said, "We (Europe) are producing strong research results," adding, "We need to find ways to align industrial policy in the areas where we excel."
Regarding receiving the Nobel Prize, Aghion said, "I am still at a loss for words. I was truly tremendously surprised."