Kiri

Bundeskanzleramt • 11012 Berlin Claudia Roth MdB Seiner Exzellenz dem Staatsministerin für Kultur und Medien Mitglied der Europäischen Kommission Bundeskanzleramt Kommissar für Generationengerechtigkeit, Willy-Brandt-Straße l Jugend/ Kultur und Sport 10557 Berlin Herrn Glenn Micallef Postanschrift 11012 Berlin Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 T+49 (0)30 18400-2060 1049 BRÜSSEL F +49 (0)30 18400-1808 BELGIEN bkmfSbk.bund.de ausschließlich per E-Mail: Berlin, 2. April 2025 [email protected] [email protected] Seiner Exzellenz dem Mitglied der Europäischen Kommission Kommissar für Handel und wirtschaftliche Sicherheit, interinstitutionetle Beziehungen und Transparenz Herrn Maros Sefcovic Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 1049 BRÜSSEL BELGIEN ausschließlich per E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] DearCommissioners, In response to the introduction of new D.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union, the European Commission stated on 12 March 2025 that it intends to launch a package ofcountermeasures. The Commission suggested a two-stage procedure. The plan is, firstly, to reinstate measures initiated in 2018 and 2020 (volume: 8 billion euros)/ and, secondly, to introduce a new package of measures (volume: 18 billion euros).  SEITE 2 VON 2 BERLIN, 2. APRIL 2025 The new package is based on initial considerations, which are summed up in a roughly 100-page list of many types of D.S. goods on which, according to the European Commission, punitive tariffs for their import into the EU could be imposed. According to our Information, this list is to be translated into a proposal for a legislative act by the end ofthis week, to be adopted in the comitology procedure bythe end of April. This approach also includes imposing tariffs on the import of paintings and books from the U.S. - a proposal which l find problematic. As the European Union, we should make sure not to involve in the trade conflict with the U.S. areas that, in Europe's understanding, are vital for democracy and freedom and which, in contrast to many other goods and Services, enjoy particular protection for this very reason. In Germany, for instance, they are expressly protected by Article 5 ofthe Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Through tariffs on paintings and books, we would without an imperative need place burdens on the freedom ofculture and the media in a time when cultural and media diversity are under particular threat in the D.S. If we took such a step, the D.S. administration might use the EU measures äs a pretext to justify further restrictions of freedoms which we believe are vital for democracies. l therefore kindly request that you join me in working to make sure that the catalogue of punitive tariffs is not extended to cultural and media goods, such äs paintings or books. l have also sent this letter to my colleagues in the other EU Member States for their Information. Yours sjncerely, Bundeskanzleramt • 11012 Berlin Claudia Roth MdB Seiner Exzellenz dem Staatsministerin für Kultur und Medien len Kommission Bundeskanzleramt Kommissar für Generationengerechtigkeit, wi^B'ran'dtTt'r'aße i Jugend, Kultur und Sport ioss7 Berlin Herrn Glenn Micallef postanschrift 11012 Berlin Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 T+49 (0)30 18400-2060 F+49 (0)30 18400-1808 BELGIEN bkmObk.bund.de ausschließlich per E-Mail: Beriin.z AP"l2025 [email protected] [email protected] Seiner Exzellenz dem Mitglied der Europäischen Kommission Kommissar für Handel und wirtschaftliche Sicherheit, interinstitutionelle Beziehungen und Transparenz Herrn Maros Sefcovic Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 1049 BRÜSSEL BELGIEN ausschließlich per E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Dear Commissioners, In response to the introduction of new D.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium Imports from the European Union, the European Commission stated on 12 March 2025 that it intends to launch a package ofcountermeasures. The Commission suggested a two-stage procedure. The plan is, firstly, to reinstate measures initiated in 2018 and 2020 (volume: 8 biliion euros), and, secondly, to introduce a new package of measures (volume: 18 billion euros).  SEITE 2 VON 2 BERLIN, 2. APRIL 2025 The new package is based on initial considerations, which are summed up in a roughly 100-page list of many types of D.S. goods on which, according to the European Commission, punitive tariffs for their import into the EU could be imposed. According to our information, this list is to be translated into a proposal for a legislative act by the end ofthisweek, to be adopted in the comitology procedure bythe end of April. This approach also includes imposing tariffs on the import of paintings and books from the D.S. - a proposal which l find problematic. As the European Union, we should make sure not to involve in the trade conflict with the D.S. areas that, in Europe's understanding, are vital for democracy and freedom and which, in contrast to many other goods and Services, enjoy particular protection for this very reason. In Germany, for instance, they are expressly protected byArticle 5 ofthe Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Through tariffs on paintings and books, we would without an imperative need place burdens on the freedom of culture and the media in a time when cultural and media diversity are under particular threat in the D.S. If we took such a step, the D.S. administration might use the EU measures äs a pretext to justify further restrictions of freedoms which we believe are vital for democracies. l therefore kindly request that you join me in working to make sure that the catalogue of punitive tariffs is not extended to cultural and media goods, such äs paintings or books. l have also sent this letter to my colleagues in the other EU Member States for their information. Yours sjncerely,