Austria’s economy loses competitiveness. This is also shown by the latest export numbers, which broke up by 14.7 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month of the previous year. Exports to the EU have even declined by 18.1 percent. In two years, Austria’s export quota dropped from 62 percent to 57 percent.
“These numbers are once again a warning signal and order to work on an active location policy and to enable the comeback of our competitiveness,” said IV general secretary Christoph Neumayer.
For the industrial association, Austria must therefore continue to actively work at EU level to abolish existing trade barriers and bureaucratic hurdles. It is particularly important to delete excessive regulations quickly and to harmonize regulatory standards where necessary, to ensure fairs and entrepreneur -friendly competition.
Fair free trade creates prosperity
Austria’s companies are dependent on stable export relationships, open markets and a strong position in the EU. Free trade and the completion of new partnerships are decisive for future prosperity in the country. On the other side of the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump threatens products from abroad with higher tariffs. “We have to use Donald Trump’s property as a ‘Dealmaker’. We should therefore also use a new attempt for a transatlantic trade and investment agreement, ”said Neumayer.
In this sense, the industrial association demands that Austria give up its blockade to the Mercosur trade agreement. “The Mercosur Agreement is a well-made trade agreement. If you take the export relationships with third countries seriously, you have to be open to internationally and cannot be guided by a short -sighted protectionism for a few, ”said Neumayer.
“‘Made in Austria’ has so far been successful worldwide, which is precisely why we also earn six out of ten euros in export. With the right framework conditions, we have to further maintain and expand this success, which also assures our prosperity, ”emphasizes Neumayer.
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