Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:29:41 GMT
French trade deficit surges to record high
French trade gap soared to a record high in 2011, signalling a decline in nation's competitiveness. The trade shortfall widened from EUR 51.1 billion in 2010 to EUR 69.6 billion in 2011, reported trade ministry today. Exports rose 8.6% while imports surged 12%. President Sarkozy proposed to tackle country's trade gap through cutting payroll taxes while increasing the sales tax.