Cheap Imports Under Fire: EU Eyeing Tariffs on Non-European Goods, Including Temu and Shein
The Government of the United States is advocating for tariffs on economical imports from the European Union.
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Are the days of cheap imports numbered? Germany, alongside the EU Commission, is advocating for customs tariffs on goods from third countries, such as China, below the €150 mark. The proposals for taxation on these inexpensive goods will be discussed among finance ministers, with the objective of creating equal competitive conditions and saving European jobs.
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil emphasized the importance of fair trade practices, stating, "Those who pay decent wages and comply with the rules should not be the losers in the end." The fight revolves around "trash products" from China, manipulated prices, and economical overproduction, all of which are detrimental to Germany and European companies.
Discussions surrounding the reformation of the customs union, initially proposed by the EU Commission, will happen at this week's finance ministers' meeting. The proposed reformation seeks to subject numerous goods within the €150 price range to customs duties, with only a few exceptions, such as tobacco or perfume currently. This move is to ensure all traders, regardless of location, are granted an equal competitive landscape.
Online platforms, such as Amazon and Etsy, are also set to be held responsible for collecting appropriate tariffs and taxes during transactions to ensure compliance and a balanced market. With the rise of online shopping leading to a staggering amount of low-cost package deliveries in the EU in recent years, these reforms are crucial in combating competition distortion.
Recent speculations also indicate the EU Commission is considering flat-rate fees on orders from third countries, potentially reaching up to €2. This could impact e-commerce giants, including Temu and Shein. Temu, a popular online marketplace, has been a topic of interest for its mini-prices and high discounts, while Shein, a Chinese company headquartered in Singapore, has gained attention for its rapid fashion trends and exceptionally low prices.
[1] EU Commission Proposes Reform[2] EU Examines Temu and Suspected Violations[3] Criticism of Chinese Platform Addiction Danger[4] Online Marketplaces: What Consumers Should be Wary of[5] Politics: Online Marketplaces compared to Ebay, Amazon, and Co.[6] Rising Number of Packages from Third Countries: Flat-Rate Fee Under Consideration[7] ntv.de, mbr/dpa
- China, Europe, Trade, Germany
- The EU Commission's proposed reform aims to subject numerous goods within the €150 price range to customs duties, levying equal competitive conditions for traders across Europe, including those from China and Germany.
- The fight against "trash products" from China, manipulated prices, and economical overproduction has led to discussions about imposing tariffs on inexpensive goods, which could significantly impact e-commerce giants like Temu and Shein.
- As online platforms such as Amazon and Etsy are expected to collect appropriate tariffs and taxes during transactions, the EU Commission is also considering flat-rate fees on orders from third countries, which could create a level playing field for the business sector and general-news sectors alike.
