There’s a lot of muddled thinking on what the problem with export bans is. So... in the form of a Q&A, a quick overview (thread)
1) Is it the rule of law?
Two components to this, arguably. Is there a problem because it interferes with private contracts? Not really. Most regulatory power does. Take Brexit: it interferes with thousands of contracts. Or the UK ban on parallel exports of some medicines. What about international law?
As to international law most treaties have exceptions that would cover such measures. So on to 2) Is the problem that nobody will invest in the EU In the future?
Also not really. Industry has a way around export bans: it can licence production elsewhere. That’s a policy we’ve actually praised with regard to AstraZeneca. It’s industry’s solution for the UK approach, but also for export bans.
3) So what is the problem? The problem is that export bans and closing markets will lead to others taking the same measure. And not just for the vaccine, but for raw materials, components such as glass vials etc.
The risk we run is a breakdown of supply chains. So before you take such a measure you‘d better be sure for every bit of vital stuff where it comes from and whether and how you still get it.
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