> Of Stephen Gallagher >the Australian Government defines the US as >"the world's largest market". They're using, of >course more than just population to define "largest".
They are also using a particular definition of 'market'. >If the EU could become the world's "largest" market >it might be able to enforce some metric requirements. One of the aims of trade rule harmonisation is to eliminate regulation related market boundaries. The business market for jam is worldwide by default, and businesses may choose to target different consumer markets based on regional preferences for organic versions, seedless versions etc. However, different packaging and label laws force manufacturers to run their businesses around legislative markets. UK jam manufacturers selling 500 g jars in France are forbidden by law from selling that size in the UK. So they would have to have two different jar sizes and therefore would be inclined to talk about the 'French' market and the 'UK market' even if the business market is identical in all other respects. As another example, the US Federal law requires warning labels on alcohol that mention the 'Surgeon General'. That prevents the same label being used outside the US. UK law permits liquor in 700 ml bottles but forbids 750 ml bottles. US law permits 750 ml but forbids 700 ml. So there is a US and UK government enforced division of whisky sales into markets by region, regardless of how the distillers would otherwise perceive the markets.
