Customs agreement between EU and US poses a threat to existing consumer protection standards, claim advocates.

In a recent development, Ramona Pop, Chairwoman of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV), has expressed her opposition to consumer rights being sacrificed in the Brussels customs agreement with the USA.

The Brussels customs agreement, a recent negotiation between the European Union and the United States of America, has been a subject of controversy. Pop made her stance clear to the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (Saturday edition).

Pop emphasized that European standards in consumer protection and food safety should not be compromised in the agreement. She stated that consumer rights "must not be sacrificed for any deal." The concern arises from potential lowering of consumer protection levels in Europe, as critiqued by some.

The agreement has drawn criticism not only in the food sector but also in the digital sector. If European digital laws were weakened or paused, allowing US digital giants to evade their responsibilities, Pop finds it unacceptable. The agreement is also criticized for potentially compromising European consumer protection in the digital sector.

The White House's representation of the Brussels customs negotiations results mentions a simplification of hygiene certificate requirements for US pork and dairy products. However, the EU Commission presents the results differently, suggesting a more balanced approach.

The Brussels customs agreement was negotiated by former US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in recent weeks. Trump depicted the results as a stable and predictable deal to avoid a costly trade war, with US tariffs set at a maximum of 15 percent for most European products.

Pop's concerns about the impact of the agreement on the digital market are shared by many. The agreement, if implemented, could potentially lead to the weakening of European digital laws, which is a matter of concern for consumer rights advocates.

As the details of the Brussels customs agreement with the USA continue to unfold, Pop's voice serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high consumer protection standards in any international agreement.