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The Maltese Herald

Being pro-European is a matter of principle: not a political convenience

—

by

Mark Camilleri
in ,

The mask is off for Peter Agius, who for many years projected himself as a forward-looking, pro-European Maltese politician. Well, now we know it was all theatre, smoke and mirrors.

Peter Agius is now running a populist campaign against the EU’s €3 duty on Chinese parcels, a measure aimed at curbing Temu’s retail practices. China engages in severe anti-competitive practices worldwide, including the dumping of products and materials. It is also one of the main threats to European industry.

Peter Agius has thrown away his lifelong pro-EU posturing to defend China’s dumping and anti-competitive practices inside the European Union.

I expect these kinds of outrageous positions from the likes of Alex Agius Saliba, but Peter Agius has now joined the same populist circus.

Total disgrace. I deeply regret ever thinking this man was even remotely genuine. He is just another populist idiot, no different from the Labour MEPs. What a complete waste of space in the European Parliament.

Comments

7 responses to “Being pro-European is a matter of principle: not a political convenience”

  1. Pat Laferla avatar
    Pat Laferla

    He’s definitely being a voice for his contituents! No one can say that he’s there only to “heat his seat”

    Reply
    1. Mark Camilleri avatar
      Mark Camilleri

      Representing Ġaħan then

      Reply
  2. Bastjan avatar
    Bastjan

    I would urge you to reconsider here. I get your point, and perhaps there is some populist end here (though is there ever none, when it comes to politics?), but his position is well-thought out and well-reasoned.

    I don’t think that he would be entirely opposed to your objections, either. But it is true that the tax is a short-term, and even quite myopic, solution that merely shifts the responsibility on the consumer, once again.

    Meanwhile, it also limits options. His point is to ensure that any measures are met with others which would reopen other venues. And his prediction is not entirely off either: the tax itself won’t truly solve things if the alternatives remain unattractive. At best, people will just fork out more money to nevertheless keep buying from China (and with all the realities and consequences that entails); at worst, a loophole will be found.

    You’re not wrong to voice the objections, but you are being too harsh in my opinion.

    Reply
  3. A.J. avatar
    A.J.

    Li kieku jista, Peter Agius jilaghaq kull sorm li jara, dment li jista jivvutawlu. Dan huwa t-tip ta’ bahan li jmur tajjeb mal-gahan.

    Reply
  4. N Scerri avatar
    N Scerri

    Will soon see extra taxes on Chinese EV car imports, very successful in Europe, at this rate.

    Reply
  5. CeeEmm avatar
    CeeEmm

    This I feel strongly about. This €3.00 tax is designed to protect local (Maltese/EU) resellers. Its obvious, €3.00 total is what you pay if you get 1 or 1000 of the same item (same HS code). So its designed so that resellers who import more than 1 of the same item only pay that amount but a normal person who orders for ex: a pencil, a note book and a crayon has to pay €3 for EACH item regardless of their value.

    Local and EU resellers are thieves who inflate their prices. If they cannot compete with Chinese manufacturers and resellers that is THEIR problem and there should be no anti-consumers laws designed to protect thieves.

    Personally I urge everyone to keep purchasing from Temu, Shein and Aliexpress regardless… even IF you end up paying more. Just to spite the resellers in Malta and Europe for pushing for this tax citing what they call a “level playing field”.

    Local resellers are not up to date, many times lots of items not in stock, you have to park and walk to get the items and then they price something that costs 5 euros from China at 15 euros.

    Personally I don’t care if thats their livelihood, nor do i care that they employ people. Not my problem. If you cannot compete then close your doors and move on. From my side I will keep on buying from China.

    Reply
  6. Peter Agius tries to renew his campaign against the "Buy Europe" campaign - The Maltese Herald avatar
    Peter Agius tries to renew his campaign against the "Buy Europe" campaign – The Maltese Herald

    […] campaigning against the €3 customs charge on small parcels imported from outside the EU, which mainly affects the enormous volume of […]

    Reply

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