The German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce expressed concern about the controls announced by the German government last week at all borders. Businesses warned that the measures would result in additional costs exceeding tens of millions of euros.
Given the importance of maintaining the flow of goods and supply chains, Oliver Luksic announced a series of measures to reduce the impact of the controls, which have been in place at all German land borders since yesterday.
As a reminder, the German Ministry of the Interior has planned increased controls at all land borders for six months from Monday, September 16. In addition to the controls already in place at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, and Switzerland, inspections will also be introduced at the borders with Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark.
The Federal Police, in consultation with the German Interior Ministry, is examining whether it will be possible to create special truck lanes, so-called “green lanes,” at border crossings through which heavy traffic passes. Such traffic management worked well during the coronavirus pandemic.
Companies surprised by control decision
Günter Gülker, director of the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce (DNHK), expressed surprise at the introduction of controls at all borders.
“The sudden introduction of border controls between Germany and the Netherlands has taken Dutch companies completely by surprise. We understand the discussion in Germany, but the fact is that open borders are an important achievement for Europe and a necessary condition for prosperity,” he noted.
The Chamber stressed that Germany is the most important export market and that border controls are hurting both Dutch and German companies.
“In Europe, the Netherlands is Germany’s most important trading partner, and globally we are number three: after China and the United States. The volume of trade between the two countries amounted to €215 billion last year,” DNHK pointed out.
100,000 trucks per day
There is no information yet as to how Germany wants to carry out checks at the 567-kilometer German-Dutch border.
The Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the extra costs for hauliers and the disruption of supply chains, which could prove disastrous for fresh products such as dairy and flowers.
According to the business organization TLN, around 100,000 lorries cross the German-Dutch border every day. Each hour of waiting costs €100 per truck. According to calculations by the business association Evofenedex, a six-month border control will cost tens of millions plus the resulting financial losses due to the disruption of supply chains.