Kiri

Bundeskanzleramt • 11012 Berlin

Seiner Exzellenz dem

Mitglied der Europäischen Kommission

Kommissar für Generationengerechtigkeit,

Jugend/ Kultur und Sport

Herrn Glenn Micallef

Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200

1049 BRÜSSEL BELGIEN

ausschließlich per E-Mail:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Claudia Roth MdB

Staatsministerin

für Kultur und Medien

Bundeskanzleramt

Willy-Brandt-Straße l

10557 Berlin

Postanschrift 11012 Berlin

T+49 (0)30 18400-2060 F +49 (0)30 18400-1808 bkmfSbk.bund.de

Berlin, 2. April 2025

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,