I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 854 Iberia-Apennines Summit II
No wonder everyone was so surprised.

You have to know that most of the so-called international trade agreements at this time are just estimated tariffs, or the ban/access of certain goods.

Once a problem arises, either the big country forces the small country to give up its interests, or the two countries will just go head to head.

The previous Seine-Rhine trade agreement was already a model of this type of agreement, and the common market rules at this time are even more advanced and civilized.

At least, in the eyes of all member states, there is nothing wrong with the clauses. Big countries and small countries are treated equally, and some are even somewhat biased towards small countries.

For example, there are clauses to protect disadvantaged industries in small countries. The election of the arbitration committee is also one vote for each member state, and Modena and France have the same voice.

It would be a shame not to join such a perfect common market!
And their thoughts were already anticipated by Joseph.

Are you kidding? The WTO is a set of rules that economists and diplomats in the late 20th century racked their brains to come up with. Even countries in the information age cannot find any problems with them, let alone those countries that are still in the early stages of industrialization.

It is a complete dimensionality reduction attack on the concept.

However, in reality, these terms, which are fair and equitable to all member states, are themselves unfair.

It's like if you let Tyson and Lin Daiyu fight boxing, and the rules of the game apply to them in the same way, is this boxing match fair?
Similarly, France's size and national strength completely crush other small countries under the same rules.

The simplest reason is that France could come up with tens of millions of francs and gather a large number of technical personnel to develop steam engines, while other small countries could not do it at all. In the end, they could only wait for French steam engines to occupy their market.

Even if everyone's technical capabilities are at the same level, French factories can easily recruit thousands of workers and use production capacity to lower costs, so small countries have no ability to compete at all.

Of course, for a small country in such a huge market, it can also find its own position in the mid- and low-end industries, thereby obtaining development opportunities that were previously unattainable.

It can be said that it is a win-win situation in the end.

Of course, the premise for the establishment of such a common market is that France has absolute military influence over the areas within the market. Otherwise, even if a common market is established, other countries will use cannons to teach you what "free trade" is.

Genoa Governor Abiaso only glanced over the text of the common market terms, then he was the first to stand up and said in a firm tone: "Genoa is willing to join the common market!"

For a country like Genoa that was founded on commerce, the Common Market was like pie in the sky. He was the first to express his intention to join, and it would also increase the favor of the French Crown Prince, so he took the lead.

The Prince of Parma, who had previously questioned the terms of the agreement, quickly tried to make amends, saying loudly: "Parma will also join the common market. The great France will use this agreement to bring civilization and prosperity to the Apennine Peninsula!"

The two countries took the lead, and other countries followed suit and expressed their views.

Anyway, the specific negotiations on tariffs, market protection and the like can be done later, so let's make our attitude clear first.

Joseph and other representatives of various countries had expressed their views and nodded, saying, "Since everyone is interested in joining the common market, the first committee election will be held tomorrow, and then the protective tariff negotiations will begin as soon as possible."

He then threw out an even bigger surprise, pointing to the second document in front of everyone: "After signing the common market agreement, we will recognize each other's patents and abide by the same market rules.

"This lays the foundation for technology licensing and large-scale investment." Sure enough, eager light immediately appeared in the eyes of representatives from various countries, and they stared at the French Crown Prince.

Joseph looked at the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Lucca and continued: "For example, the Republic of Lucca can join our country's 'Textile Industry Technical Association'.

“For a small royalty and dues, you can get a complete set of automatic looms.

"The technical association can even directly invest in building new factories for you and send technicians to train your workers."

Luca's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Padoan, suddenly widened his eyes and his face was full of disbelief.

Although Lucca, the smallest country in Italy, is located on the coast, it does not have much income from port shipping - its neighboring country Genoa dominates this business - but its silk textile industry is very prosperous.

If we can get the latest silk weaving technology and investment from France, plus the huge common market, won’t we make a lot of money in the future?!
He was so excited that he stood up and kept expressing his gratitude to Joseph, and almost composed a hymn on the spot.

Joseph then looked at Count Floridablanca of Spain: "The French Brewing Technology Association will also open its doors to Iberia. The quality of Spanish wine will take a leap forward, and together with French wine, it will occupy the entire European market!"

The latter was even more excited than Padoan.

In recent years, Spanish wine has been suppressed by French products and has been equated with the lowest end. Only those who are extremely poor will drink Spanish wine.

Now the generous French Crown Prince is actually going to teach French winemaking technology.

This is truly a gift from God!
But he was, after all, a representative of a great power, and although he repeated his gratitude to Joseph several times, he was far from being as flattering as Padoan.

Of course, Joseph is not trying to be a good guy.

Industrial chain division of labor was originally part of his plan.

Whether it is silk weaving technology or wine brewing technology, the threshold is actually not high. In three to five years at most, other countries will be able to imitate it.

Instead of doing this, it is better to authorize them directly through formal channels and earn a lot of patent fees and membership fees from technology associations.

At the same time, patent licensing can be used to restrict the technological upgrading of other countries, so that they stay in the middle and low-end industrial chain.

Just like the automobile manufacturing industry in Eastern countries in later generations, they have never been able to produce high-quality gearboxes. One of the important reasons is that the existing gearbox structures are all patented by other countries, and you will infringe on their rights if you want to produce them. And the performance of a completely new design from scratch will definitely not be very good - the optimal solution has long been patented by others, and what is left for you are the solutions that others have picked out.

Moreover, technology transfer can increase the attractiveness and cohesion of the common market, so that when Joseph makes some small requests, no one will object.

Seeing that the representatives of various countries were discussing excitedly, Joseph coughed lightly and said:
“I believe everyone has noticed that in order to carry out technology transfer and investment in the common market and facilitate large-scale cross-border trade, a unified settlement agency is needed.

"For example, a large bank that could prepay, settle, redeem and lend trade for all member states and be part of the common market."

(End of this chapter)