Poland’s vice-premier is responsible for the economy in his country.
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(Photo: AP)
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Berlin Jaroslaw Gowin has been the deputy prime minister in Poland’s government responsible for economics since October 2020.
As head of the small coalition party Porozumienie (Understanding), the 59-year-old is often at odds with the nationalist-populist Law and Justice party (PiS).
Mr Deputy Prime Minister, your government is proposing a new economic policy agenda for the EU. What does it look like?
Brexit did not come without a reason. That should make us think and look for a broader future for the EU. According to surveys, the Poles are the most pro-European people. But some actions by the EU Commission arouse Euro skepticism. The greatest danger to more European integration is represented by excessively vigorous euro enthusiasts than the skeptics.
What do you mean by that?
I mean the federalization tendencies, the way to a supranational state. The too deep intervention of the EU in the member states, an excessive bureaucratization of the EU and insufficient delimitation of competencies have led to Euro skepticism and to Brexit. When it comes to deregulating the economy, we have to orientate ourselves more towards Anglo-Saxon models. That brought a lot to Poland, making us one of the most attractive locations in Europe for investors. As an EU advocate, I want the Member States to work together within the framework of the EU. But a two-speed Europe or a parliament for the euro zone is damaging instead of leading to more integration.
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What must Europe do to overcome the crisis?
Europe, of course, has many advantages. But there are also disadvantages to the European economic model. One of the weaknesses is the excessive outsourcing of industrial production outside the continent. The pandemic has made it clear to us that we are too dependent on supply chains that are too long. Europe needs more strategic autonomy in the most important economic sectors.
How are you going to achieve that? With quotas for specific sectors or location requirements?
I am not a believer in such deep intervention in the economy. But we must select our trading partners so that they adhere to European standards and values, above all in terms of environmental protection and occupational safety, the protection of intellectual property and mutual, fair market access as well as equal access to state tenders, product safety and equal competitive conditions.
But then the EU is not allowed to sign the negotiated investment agreement with China and is not allowed to buy Chinese goods.
In geopolitical terms, it makes sense to come to an agreement with the new US administration on China before concluding a deal. Only in this way will Europe remain a global trading power. Above all, China must tear down its non-tariff barriers, with which Beijing has so far restricted fair market access.
So before signing the China Agreement with Washington, a common China strategy has to be agreed?
It would be a mistake if Europe did not work together with the new leadership in Washington on such an important issue.
Why did Poland agree to the investment agreement with China in the EU consultations?
Like all Member States, Poland is keen to develop good conditions for trade. It brings real benefits to European entrepreneurs.
How is the cooperation with German companies developing? What are the next projects?
We should especially cooperate in the high-tech area. It is about Ipsey projects funded at European level, i.e. investments in projects of great common European interest. We are particularly interested in joint battery cell production, hydrogen technologies and microelectronics. Poland has made a quantum leap in spending on research and development.
Poland must move away from coal within the framework of the EU climate targets. Will it succeed, and what does that mean for the country?
This is a great burden for the Polish economy and has high costs for our people. But in order to achieve climate neutrality, we must invest resolutely in hydrogen technologies. The climate targets, if not balanced fairly in Europe, would unfairly exacerbate inequalities between old and new Europe.
More: Poland is coming through the crisis better than many EU countries and has become Germany’s fifth largest trading partner. Now a huge restructuring of the economy is imminent – German companies could benefit.
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