More than 50 high-ranking business representatives and 15 industry associations are calling for a more industry-friendly EU policy. In a statement on Tuesday, they advocated, among other things, simpler state aid, lower energy costs and more European mining projects for important raw materials. In the paper, which was also signed by representatives of DAX companies and is available to the German Press Agency in Brussels, they also urgently warn against competition from the USA and China.
The US economy is benefiting from government aid through the so-called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Chinese overcapacity and increasing exports to Europe are increasing the pressure on European industry. “Our companies are confronted with this challenge every day. Locations will be closed, production will stop, employees will be laid off,” it says. The declaration was signed by Bayer CEO Bill Anderson and BASF CEO Martin Brudermüller, among others.
The statement was drawn up for a meeting of industry representatives with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Together with the Belgian EU Council Presidency, companies had organized a European industry summit for Tuesday.
Environmental associations have vehemently criticized the event. “We are horrified,” said an open letter to De Croo. Organizations such as Greenpeace Belgium and the Aurelia Foundation accused the authors of not recognizing the guilt of companies in the climate and biodiversity crisis. These crises represent an enormous danger to the planet. They are the result of decades of irresponsible corporate decisions.
In their statement, the companies also urge that states provide greater protection for risk investments in renewable energies. The next EU Commission must give priority to new projects for affordable renewable and nuclear energy. The European elections will take place in the summer, and a new EU Commission will also be put together at this time.
In addition, industry representatives advocate that free trade agreements or other agreements should secure the industry’s supply of important raw materials and enable access to new markets. Every new EU law should be checked before it is passed to see how it affects the competitiveness of EU companies. (dpa)