Competitive pressure in Europe: This is how the EU wants to counteract it!

Competitive pressure in Europe: This is how the EU wants to counteract it!

Europe's competitiveness is in jeopardy! In an urgent appeal, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, the Secretary General of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), warned that the EU urgently needs to boost competition. “Europe must find a comeback in performance and competition in order to keep pace with international competitors,” said Hattmannsdorfer. The focus is on the EU Commission's work program for 2025, which includes crucial initiatives such as a new internal market strategy, the Clean Industrial Deal and the promotion of start-ups and artificial intelligence. Hattmannsdorfer emphasizes: “Strategy papers alone will not make Europe more competitive – we need quick action!” ots.at reported.

Responding to US tariffs and reducing bureaucracy

In connection with the announced US tariffs on steel and aluminum, Hattmannsdorfer demands that the EU Commission responds well to the American measures and negotiates on equal terms. Another key point is the upcoming omnibus package, which is intended to reduce reporting obligations for companies by simplifying three legal acts and thus reduce bureaucratic hurdles. “We are experiencing an unbearable flood of regulations that are particularly placing a heavy burden on small and medium-sized companies,” explains Mariana Kühnel, deputy general secretary of the WKÖ. While the EU has adopted around 13,000 legal acts in the last five years, the US has only passed around 3,500, underscoring the urgency of truly reducing bureaucracy.

But the challenge still goes on! In addition to simplifying regulations, the focus is also on creating a secure and independent energy supply in order to ensure the international competitiveness of the industry. “We have to deepen the European energy market and accelerate the expansion of renewable energies,” warns Hattmannsdorfer. The deputy WKÖ General Secretary Kühnel demands: “The omnibus package must be presented on February 26th so that we can quickly return to more entrepreneurial freedom!” europa.eu emphasized. Time is of the essence, because without quick action Europe could fall behind in the long term.