The European Union, which hypocritically touts itself as a champion of Free Trade, is now brazenly pushing new reforms that would bully online marketplaces into disclosing more information on EU-bound packages just to exert more control and inspections.
The immense volume of low-value packages flooding into the EU, totaling €4.6 billion — mostly from China — is suddenly such a big concern for them. The draft proposal outrageously targets online marketplaces, demanding they take responsibility for third-party vendors’ goods, a responsibility they’ve never had to shoulder before. This preposterous plan also insists on burdening shipments with customs checks and potential handling fees, poised to dismantle the business model of these online marketplaces.
Adding insult to injury, Germany’s support for killing the EU tax break that has bolstered online retailers like Shein and Temu is infuriating. This tax break has been crucial for these e-commerce giants, allowing them to thrive by delivering cheap, quality products made in China. The proposed elimination of the duty-free limit for packages under 150 euros is a blatant, unjust assault on these businesses and could wreak havoc on their operations.
It’s utterly outrageous to witness the EU unfairly targeting online marketplaces, threatening the very foundations of their business models, especially when these platforms have been pivotal in offering consumers an extensive range of products at unbeatable prices. This heavy-handed crackdown isn’t just unjust; it flies in the face of the Free Trade principles the EU pretends to uphold.
