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Austria wants discussion about EU customs exemption limit

by AI | 26.Sep 2024 | Europe in brief AI

On Thursday, ministers from the 27 EU states came together in Brussels for the EU Competition Council. Germany and Austria took the opportunity to advocate for the protection of European retail against competition from China.

Archive image - Considering the planned phase-out of combustion engines by 2035, technological neutrality is important, according to Kocher. Photo: Florian Wieser/APA

EU-wide/Brussels – Austria’s Economics Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) advocates lowering or abolishing the customs exemption limit of 150 euros for products imported into the European Union (EU). Otherwise, competition between European online trading platforms and those outside Europe would be distorted, Kocher said on Thursday ahead of the EU Competition Council in Brussels. Regarding the planned ban on combustion engines by 2035, technological neutrality is important.

Germany and Austria are calling for measures at the ministerial meeting to better protect European retail from the competition of Chinese companies such as Temu or Shein. The German Economic State Secretary Sven Giegold (Greens) focused less on the customs exemption limit, which falls within the competence of finance ministers, and more on compliance with European law. “The products sold in Europe must comply with the rules we have here in Europe,” he told media representatives. As an example, he mentioned rules in the area of environment or intellectual property.

A central topic at today’s council meeting will also be the Draghi report on the competitiveness of the EU presented in mid-September. “Many good ideas” are included in the report, said Kocher. On the sidelines, there will also be a discussion on how to deal with the automotive industry. “For us, it is important that there is as much flexibility as possible here. The goals (reduction of greenhouse gases) must be achieved, but they must be achieved with as much technological openness as possible,” the minister stated his position. This also includes an evaluation of the ban on combustion engines by 2035 as well as a discussion on fleet limits. (26.09.2024)