"Obama's statements may lead to protectionism. I am, of course, worried about the growing trend of protectionism. And G20 leaders should take note of it and when they meet in (South) Korea they will make it quite clear that the answer to the problems in international financial crisis does not lie in protectionism," Mukherjee told a television channel.
Mukherjee said he would raise the issue during the meetings of G20 finance ministers scheduled to be held next month. "In itself the statement of Obama may not be protectionist but it may lead to protectionism and I will have the opportunity to share my views with finance ministers’ meetings in G20,” he said, adding there was no need to press the panic button on the issue.
Published 20 September 2010, 15:18 IST