EU Single Market Strategy: Good starting points – implementation requires a major effort in Brussels

“The EU Single Market Strategy includes promising measures to help German companies better harness the potential of their most important market – especially through reducing administrative burdens, deepening the Single Market for services within industrial ecosystems, and expanding digital tools for cross-border operations. Its success now depends on the European Commission’s consistent implementation with a strong focus on competitiveness. Without a concerted effort in Brussels, it will not succeed. 

Especially SMEs still face longstanding barriers in intra-EU trade. Removing these could almost double German industry’s exports within Europe. EU-wide, up to €1.3 trillion in additional annual GDP could be unlocked – a crucial boost for global competitiveness. The German government must also refrain from gold-plating when transposing EU law. 

The strategy only addresses part of the agenda. The Draghi report identifies further shortcomings, including in the European energy market. Only if the Commission promotes a truly integrated and functioning Single Market across all areas can it reach its full potential. This is a matter of urgency – the Single Market is the foundation of our prosperity and European sovereignty.”