German corporations demand change in EU economic policy

Germany’s largest corporations have called for a fundamental shift in the European Union’s (EU) economic policy, according to Bild. The CEOs voiced their demands during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The talks were attended by the heads of 12 leading companies, including the airline Lufthansa, arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, chemical giant Henkel, steel producer Thyssenkrupp, logistics company DHL, and energy firms E.on and Uniper.

“The executives expressed their dissatisfaction and demanded a complete ‘policy shift’ in the EU’s economic direction,” the publication reports. It is noted that such meetings with business representatives—especially from a single country—are unusual for von der Leyen.

The company leaders expressed frustration over unresolved issues with U.S. tariffs, an excessive focus on climate protection, and burdensome bureaucracy.