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SPD warns: Climate protection must not endanger our industry!
The SPD warns against climate protection measures that could endanger industry and is calling for targeted tariffs to strengthen locations.
SPD warns: Climate protection must not endanger our industry!
On November 7, 2025, German companies will face crucial decisions in industrial policy. The SPD recently presented its strategy, which is specifically aimed at securing Germany as an industrial location. In a draft resolution entitled "Secure Industry. Strengthen Work, Create a Future", the party emphasizes the role of industry as the "backbone of our prosperity" and advocates suitable measures to boost competitiveness. Protection against international dumping practices plays a central role, as does the demand for “targeted tariffs” on foreign imports, especially from countries such as Russia and China.
A pressing issue is the upcoming “Steel Summit,” which is scheduled to take place on Thursday. Here politicians and business representatives will discuss together how the crisis-hit steel industry can be supported and jobs secured. SPD party leader Lars Klingbeil has already announced that the party will put together a comprehensive package of measures to help the industry, which provides over eight million jobs in Germany. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to bring steel imports from Russia to a permanent end in order to promote domestic production.
Challenges and solutions
The steel industry faces numerous challenges, including geopolitical uncertainties, high energy costs, bureaucracy and skills shortages. In the last six years, more than 200,000 jobs have been lost in industry, a significant proportion of them in steel-intensive sectors. The automotive industry in particular is suffering from the general conditions and has cut more than 50,000 jobs since the summer of 2024. To counteract this, the federal government has initiated a steel dialogue in the Federal Chancellery. Here, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other participants emphasized the need to improve the competitiveness of the steel industry and introduce protective measures against global overcapacity.
A central concern of the dialogue was the switch to climate-friendly production processes. The SPD orective has expressed concerns that the targeted decarbonization must not lead to deindustrialization. The importance of government support for companies that are committed to long-term location loyalty and willingness to innovate is highlighted.
The role of the federal government
The federal government is planning various measures to reduce electricity costs and introduce industrial electricity prices from January 2026. The aim is to improve the competitive conditions for companies that have been suffering from high energy costs for some time. The CDU also supports the demand for higher tariffs on steel imports, although the decision will ultimately rest with the EU Commission.
Another potential advance could be promoting the use of hydrogen in steel production to make the industry more climate-friendly. Innovative production processes are to be supported through funding programs, while at the same time the circular economy is being promoted in the steel industry. These topics are not only on the steel dialogue agenda, but are also part of the broader strategy to strengthen Germany's industrial base and make it sustainable. It remains to be hoped that the political measures adopted will not only ensure stability, but also new opportunities in German industry.