Intrance Interview – Minister of Economy: “No fear of the US”

“We are the largest internal market. We don’t have to be afraid of neither the US nor for Donald Trump. The rates and trade policy that Donald Trump does mainly damage the United States. She massive heat inflation. There economic growth there must be corrected almost every week because Donald Trump shoots his own knee with his policy, “says Hattmannsdorfer in an interview with the” Krone “.

EU should focus digital companies
He thinks it is correct that the EU has responded to Trump’s rates made of steel and aluminum with four billion rates for Harley-Davidson, Jeans, Whiskey and everything that is produced in the Republican States. Another package of 18 billion, which deals with the field of life and food, from steak to soybeans, is in preparation.

“And we also have to place a third package that the US will become painful because it is aimed at digital companies, social media platforms and digital offers such as Netflix,” said Hattmannsdorfer. “That can also be a third escalation screw. But, and I clearly say that a trade war, a customs war does not yield anything, especially in Austria, that six out of ten euros earn in export, and therefore the primary goal must now be to force the United States to the negotiating table through these hard and unmistakable measures.

Asked about the goals of Trump, says Hattmannsdorfer: “I have the impression that Trump mainly connects every political measure to the question of whether it likes its fans or does not like it. It is difficult if politics is made exclusively for the table of the regulars in the cowboy salon. We are aware that the US president is especially important for the car industry and seafood. These things that are known to us must be put on the table and see that you can find a fair solution together.

Minister will look for a new American ambassador to talk
Austria and the EU need stable relationships with the United States. As soon as the new American ambassador for Austria is certain, he will contact him or her contact immediately and make an appointment. “The United States are the second most important export partner and, in contrast to other exports, where we fell everywhere last year, we also had a clear plus for the US.”

The EU has established the wrong points of attention in recent years. Reinustialization and a clear competitive orientation are needed again. “We must ensure that we also appear strongly on the world market and stop the EU bureaucratisation. Keyword -captured Regulation and Supply Chain Regulation. We need a comeback of services and competition in Europe and Austria. If we don’t want Europe to die in beauty, then we now need a focus on competition, on workplaces, on income, when asked how we can keep our prosperity, “said Hattmannsdorfer.

Europe must concentrate on important technologies. “For example, I am thinking of semiconductors and chips, Austria is number four in Europe. The same applies to life science, environmental technology and mobility. We must concentrate on our strengths. If China can no longer put its products in the United States, it will put more pressure on Europe. According to the minister this is provided.

EU wants to delay cheap platforms
There would also be “a protective shield” that focuses on a harmful production of the environment, said Hattmannsdorfer. This is a defense mechanism for products from Asia. “An environmental habits that take into account the CO2 intensity of production in the respective country of origin,” explains the new Minister of Economic Affairs. “We also had to deal with the subject of cheap platforms such as Temu in the competition board. We call for the abolition of the duty -free limit of 150 euros so that we are not flooded by Chinese cheap products, ”explains Hattmannsdorfer.