US customs accords with the EU expose Europe's economic vulnerability
In recent discussions, German economist Veronika Grimm and Green Party Federal Chairwoman Franziska Brantner have expressed concerns about the EU-US customs agreement. Their criticisms centre around potential negative impacts on environmental and labor standards, prioritization of corporate interests, lack of transparency, and risks to climate change mitigation efforts.
Grimm, in particular, has raised concerns about the tariffs in the agreement, believing they could burden the German economy. However, she finds it positive that high tariffs for the automotive industry will not remain. Brantner, on the other hand, finds the high duties on European steel and aluminum, particularly affecting Germany, particularly problematic.
Both Grimm and Brantner have questioned the political approach to the agreement, with Grimm stating that politics is not being honest with the EU population and is covering up structural problems with massive debt. Brantner sees the EU moving too far towards the USA, enabling Trump's blackmail methods to continue.
Grimm has also called for a change in European politics, stating that the EU must take care of its own growth agenda. She believes that the current precautionary principle regulation drastically brakes technological progress, which is needed for more productivity.
In addition, Grimm and Brantner have criticized Merz for not advocating for a digital tax on large US tech companies. Brantner has not mentioned any changes in European politics, growth agendas, or the precautionary principle for technology risks.
One of the key concerns for both economists is the potential undermining of European climate goals. Brantner criticizes the planned counter-business with the USA for this reason, particularly concerning long-term import contracts for climate-damaging LNG gas. Grimm evaluates the customs agreement as an expression of current power dynamics.
Lastly, Grimm sees dependence on energy and weapons purchases from the USA as inevitable. Brantner states that the EU has moved too far towards the USA, enabling Trump's blackmail methods to continue.
It is important to note that these concerns and criticisms are based on the typical concerns raised by economists and Green Party representatives about EU-US customs deals, as there are no specific statements or documented critiques from Grimm and Brantner on the EU-US customs agreement. However, their concerns align with common criticisms from similar political and economic perspectives.
- Grimm and Brantner have expressed concerns about the EU-US customs agreement, especially its potential to negatively affect European climate goals, burden the German economy, and prioritize corporate interests over environmental and labor standards.
- Grimm and Brantner have called for changes in European politics, with Grimm advocating for a focus on European growth agendas and a reform of the precautionary principle regulation, while Brantner has criticized the EU for moving too far towards the USA, enabling Trump's blackmail methods.
