Customs duty on small parcels: good news for Europe's economy?
As of today, customs duties will be levied on parcels of goods from non-EU countries worth less than 150 euros. These will be subject to a fixed fee of three euros per item type. Until now, such parcels had enjoyed an exemption. The tariffs are expected to hit online retailers which sell cheap goods, such as Temu and Shein, particularly hard. Commentators debate whether the measure will strengthen Europe's economy.
Tariffs on cheap goods not enough
Europe must do more to promote research and product development, argues Ilta-Sanomat:
“We're not just talking about low-end goods here. ... In many areas, Chinese technology has caught up with – and even overtaken – European technology. ... Europe accuses China, complaining of state subsidies, closed markets and unfair competition. The EU's demands for market liberalisation are justified, but they fail to address the root of the problem. If Europe wants to compete with China and other emerging economies, tariffs alone will not be enough. The problems which European research, product development and manufacturing are facing must not become self-inflicted obstacles. ... Temu tariffs may be a sensible short-term measure, but they will not make Europe stronger on their own.”
Money and feelings of guilt have run out
Columnist Assia Neumann Dayan doubts the tariff will be effective in La Stampa:
“Can three euros really stop someone from buying a T-shirt from China that costs a third of what it costs in the stores around the corner? ... I don't think so, quite simply because people have run out of money. It's gone, and when money runs out, people just buy their T-shirts for three euros and no longer think about child labour, global pollution or supporting small-scale artisans. When the money runs out, you pay even less attention to grand policy statements from the institutions, which are mostly aimed at making citizens feel guilty. I have the feeling that, along with the money, the feelings of guilt have also run out.”
Another step towards industrial stagnation
Gustav Theile, China correspondent for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, advises against starting a trade dispute with China:
“Calls for tougher protective measures are growing ever louder. ... The first mistake of those calling for such measures is that they fail to consider the full implications of what could happen in the event of an escalation. ... For although Europe is an important market, according to China's customs authority it accounted for only around 15 percent of all exports between January and May this year. ... Brussels' leverage is therefore not as substantial as it thinks. ... The second mistake is that there is no consensus on what this trade policy is actually supposed to achieve. ... If the domestic market is shielded from Chinese competition, this will only encourage further industrial stagnation, as economic studies indicate.”
Only useful as a temporary measure
Delo reflects:
“The main aim of tariffs is to protect the domestic economy. However, when it comes to imposing tariffs on parcel deliveries, clearly it's ultimately domestic consumers who foot the bill. When the EU imposes tariffs on shoes, clothing, tablets or cars made in China, it's attempting to encourage European consumers to buy domestic goods. ... This generally also helps to safeguard jobs, wages and local demand. At the same time, the EU – at least for now – is well aware that such protective measures only make sense if they are temporary and give domestic companies the chance to adapt and enhance their competitiveness.”