(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – Ahead of the upcoming steel summit in Berlin, Hendrik Wüst (CDU), Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, has issued a strong appeal for far-reaching relief measures aimed at reinforcing Germany’s industrial sector. He emphasized the critical importance of maintaining the country’s industrial strength as a cornerstone of both social justice and economic prosperity. At the same time, he acknowledged the necessity of meeting national climate protection commitments, stressing that these dual objectives must be carefully balanced and continuously harmonized.
Wüst identified the reduction of energy costs as a fundamental prerequisite for improving industrial competitiveness. He urged the swift introduction of a subsidized industrial electricity tariff, as stipulated in the federal coalition agreement, and called for the full exploitation of the European aid framework to support this initiative. He also underscored the need to streamline administrative procedures, arguing that such relief measures should be implemented with minimal bureaucratic complexity. Furthermore, he drew attention to the importance of shielding domestic industry from unfair international practices, noting that North Rhine-Westphalia, together with the Benelux countries, forms the industrial heart of Europe—a region whose continued vitality is of strategic significance for the entire continent.
In addition, the Minister-President advocated for an extended allocation period for free CO₂ certificates. He pointed to the substantial progress made by German industry in climate innovation and argued that prolonging these allocations would provide greater flexibility for investment in environmentally sustainable technologies. He maintained that financial resources should be channeled into innovation rather than absorbed by government levies, thereby fostering long-term industrial transformation.
Wüst also expressed his endorsement of federal programs that facilitate the capture, utilization, and storage of CO₂. To further incentivize domestic production, he proposed that the use of green steel in the automotive sector be credited toward fleet emission targets. Moreover, he recommended that CO₂ utilization be rewarded through the EU Emissions Trading System, thereby creating additional motivation for sustainable industrial practices.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to host the summit on Thursday, bringing together senior representatives from steel-producing federal states and key stakeholders from the steel industry. They will discuss the future of the sector as well as potential policy measures.
