EU-wide/Brussels – Austria’s Economics Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) advocates decreasing or abolishing the customs exemption restrict of 150 euros for merchandise imported into the European Union (EU). In any other case, competitors between European on-line buying and selling platforms and people outdoors Europe can be distorted, Kocher mentioned on Thursday forward of the EU Competitors Council in Brussels. Relating to the deliberate ban on combustion engines by 2035, technological neutrality is necessary.
Germany and Austria are calling for measures on the ministerial assembly to higher shield European retail from the competitors of Chinese language firms equivalent to Temu or Shein. The German Financial State Secretary Sven Giegold (Greens) targeted much less on the customs exemption restrict, which falls inside the competence of finance ministers, and extra on compliance with European legislation. “The merchandise offered in Europe should adjust to the foundations we now have right here in Europe,” he instructed media representatives. For example, he talked about guidelines within the space of setting or mental property.
A central matter at right this moment’s council assembly will even be the Draghi report on the competitiveness of the EU offered in mid-September. “Many good concepts” are included within the report, mentioned Kocher. On the sidelines, there will even be a dialogue on methods to take care of the automotive business. “For us, it will be significant that there’s as a lot flexibility as attainable right here. The objectives (discount of greenhouse gases) should be achieved, however they should be achieved with as a lot technological openness as attainable,” the minister said his place. This additionally contains an analysis of the ban on combustion engines by 2035 in addition to a dialogue on fleet limits. (26.09.2024)
