Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek had nothing good to say Wednesday about the Obama administration's efforts to jump-start the U.S.

WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just one day after the Czech parliament ousted the country's cabinet and a few days before Barack Obama's trip to Prague, Czech Premier Mirek Topolanek showed little humility. In his Wednesday speech to the European Parliament, he described the U.S.

The European Union has said no to a proposal by Hungary to assemble a $240 billion bailout for Eastern European countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a sweeping bailout proposal wasn't appropriate, The Washington Post reported Monday. Saying that the situation is the same for all Central and Eastern European states … I don't see that, Merkel said after a summit meeting Sunday in Brussels.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the European Union should defend itself from the potential threat of protectionism. We need to coordinate our response to protect the single market from protectionism, even from the inside, Barroso said this week, the EU Observer reported Wednesday. A cry of isolating trade policies was sounded earlier this week with the Czech Republic and Sweden concerned over French government's proposals to help its automotive industry. I am convinced that the internal market is the long-term instrument that will help us overcome the crisis, said Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. Sweden has said it was very worried about the French proposals. On Tuesday, the commission asked France to explain its proposals, the Observer reported. Protectionism fear also surfaced after refinery workers in Britain suddenly struck over the importation of foreign labor at a construction project. Small businesses are increasingly concerned by the new wave of prot

In less than eight weeks time the Czech Republic will assume the rotating EU presidency, replacing France. Six months after that, the position will shift again to Sweden.