Thilo Brodtmann, Executive Director of the VDMA, comments on today's vote in the European Parliament:

„Especially in times of increasing protectionism, the EU needs a strong Trade Commissioner who can successfully represent and enforce the advantages of open markets and free trade even against opposition. Valdis Dombrovskis has what it takes as an experienced EU politician. We strongly support his statements that the EU must conclude an investment agreement with China this year. We also advocate strengthening the EU‘s resilience against the extraterritorial application of sanctions by third countries and achieving a level playing field with third countries. At the same time, the new EU Trade Commissioner should make a clear statement against sealing off Europe, for example by extensive State intervention in supply chains. Only companies are in a position to make decisions about their global supply chains. The EU should only create the necessary framework conditions here. It would also be a mistake for the EU to focus on sustainable development in its Free Trade Agreements. The most important goal of EU trade policy is to open up new markets and to secure existing ones for Europe's export-oriented companies. Anything else would overstretch trade policy“.

A photo of Thilo Brodtmann, Executive Director of VDMA, can be found here

The VDMA represents around 3300 German and European companies in the mechanical engineering industry. The industry represents innovation, export orientation, medium-sized companies and employs around four million people in Europe, more than one million of them in Germany.

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VDMA European Office
BluePoint Building
Boulevard A. Reyers 80
B - 1030 Brüssel
Tel. + 32 2 706 8205, Fax + 32 2 706 8210
E-Mail european.office@vdma.org
Internet www.vdma.org
President: Carl Martin Welcker
Executive Director: Thilo Brodtmann
Vereinsregister beim Amtsgericht Frankfurt Nr. VR4278