Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000828/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Georgios Aftias (PPE)
Addressing Parliament, the European Central Bank’s former president and former prime minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, stressed that ‘progress is now happening outside of Europe’ and that ‘Europe’s internal barriers are equivalent to a tariff of 45% for manufacturing and 110% for services’.
The EU has wound up being a single market of obstacles rather than of unhindered access to markets and services, which was the initial idea behind the European project. It is therefore losing the main advantage upon which it was founded. All obstacles must be overcome. For instance, European regulatory rules on tech companies alone pose a significant burden, as the cost of complying with the GDPR has reduced profits for small European tech companies by up to 12 %. As a result, bureaucracy and over-regulation are leading European companies to boost trade with non-EU countries, such as the US and China, which have simpler legislative frameworks.
Based on the above, can the Commission answer the following:
- 1.Does it intend to take measures to reduce red tape within the EU, while boosting transparency and trade?
- 2.Will it introduce self-help financing schemes that will strengthen the EU’s domestic industries so as to reduce its dependence on third partners?
- 3.Is it aiming to introduce single energy prices?
Submitted: 24.2.2025