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Broad Criticism, Including from Austria, of New Tariffs Deal Between the U.S. and the EU
The trade deal between the United States and the European Union, which was announced by both sides with pride, may have averted a looming escalation in the trade dispute. Still, it has been widely criticized in political and economic circles. While EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trade Commissioner Maros Sefkovic defended the agreement as a “breakthrough” and “the best possible outcome,” numerous member states and business representatives, including many voices from Austria, see and feel significant disadvantages for the EU and are calling for renegotiation.
August 20, 2025 · Updated: August 21, 2025; 12:46
Bettina Dorfer-Pauschenwein Elected Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) has a new vice president: Bettina Dorfer-Pauschenwein, a committed entrepreneur from Wiesen in Burgenland, was elected to the chamber's highest governing body on Thursday. With this appointment, the 32-year-old master carpenter and managing director of “Pauschenwein Creatives Wohnen GmbH” moves directly alongside WKÖ President Harald Mahrer and takes a significant career step in the Chamber of Commerce.
June 30, 2025
Export Day 2025: Austria's Export Economy with its Opportunities and Challenges
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's (WKÖ) Export Day 2025 was once again the largest internationalization event in Central Europe. Under the motto “Seizing Business Opportunities. NOW!”, the event brought together around 3,000 participants, including over 2,500 decision-makers, more than 60 WKÖ economic delegates, top international speakers, and leading export service providers. The aim was to encourage companies to actively seize international business opportunities and put the Austrian export industry in the spotlight.
June 11, 2025
Van der Bellen Visits Japan: Focus on Business Delegation and EXPO 2025
Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen is currently on a state visit to Japan, accompanied by a high-ranking business delegation of around 150 people. The four-day trip - organized in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber - is all about deepening bilateral economic and diplomatic relations.
May 22, 2025
Strengthening the Economic Bridge Between China and Austria at the 15th Investment Seminar in Vienna
The 15th seminar on “Austria as an investment location” took place in the Austrian capital in the context of growing economic ties between China and Europe. The event was organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vienna, under the direction of Ambassador Qi Mei. The high-caliber event brought together representatives from Austrian federal authorities, economic institutions, and federal states as well as numerous executives from Chinese companies operating in Austria.
April 21, 2025
U.S. Tariffs Cause Tensions: Austria between Willingness to Negotiate and Strong Response
Transatlantic economic relations are once again being put to the test. Following the US decision to impose import tariffs on European products - particularly steel, aluminum, and a range of industrial goods - under former President Donald Trump, the EU has responded with a second package of sanctions. Stakeholders in Austria are also taking a clear stance - between calls for diplomacy and calls for consistency.
April 9, 2025
Economic Dialogue with a Signaling Effect: China and Austria Intensify Cooperation
Economic relations between the People's Republic of China and Austria have taken a significant step forward. The focus was on the official visit of a high-ranking Chinese business delegation led by Ren Hongbin, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), accompanied by intensive talks with political decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and institutions in Vienna.
April 7, 2025
Vienna Plans Traffic-Restricted Inner City with Camera-Based Access Control
After years of discussion, the traffic restriction measures in Vienna's inner city are about to be implemented. A planned amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) is to create the legal framework for automated camera access management. This amendment is being submitted to the government by Transport Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) and is due to come into force on January 1, 2026.
April 6, 2025
Beware of Online Fraud when Buying Vignettes
Beware when buying highway vignettes online: Fraudsters shamelessly exploit the search for cheap offers. Drivers are increasingly falling for fraudulent websites when purchasing vignettes, sometimes losing huge sums of money in the process. ASFINAG is now issuing another urgent warning about fake stores and giving important tips on how to protect yourself from such scams.
March 26, 2025
Economic Forum in Vienna: Poland and Austria in Dialogue on Security and Economy
As part of the Polish EU Council Presidency, the high-caliber forum “Ensuring Security and Freedom of Business - Polish and Austrian Perspectives” took place at the headquarters of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ). The event, which was organized by the Polish Embassy in Vienna in cooperation with the WKÖ, brought together over 130 representatives from public institutions, business organizations, and various industries from both countries. The event aimed to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the areas of energy security, digital transformation, and economic policy at the EU level.
March 19, 2025
The Austrian Institute of Technology Aims to Become a Leading Institution in Applying Modern AI Methods
The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) is pursuing ambitious goals: It wants to establish itself as a leading institution for applying modern artificial intelligence (AI) methods. At the heart of this strategy is the “AI Factory Austria” (AI:AT), a flagship project to strengthen the Austrian AI sector and promote the country's technological sovereignty. With European co-financing and broad support from business and science, the initiative is seen as a milestone for Austria as a location for innovation.
March 19, 2025
Meet Vietnam's Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna
Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang takes office as Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to Austria. His diplomatic career demonstrates extensive experience in international relations, strategic diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation. Meet Vietnam's top diplomat in Vienna.
March 14, 2025
Japan Business Talk: Lower Austria Prepares for Expo 2025 in Osaka
Lower Austria is intensifying its economic relations with Japan: At the “Japan Business Talk” event, high-ranking representatives from politics, science, and business discussed the opportunities and challenges of cooperation. The background to this is the upcoming business delegation trip to Expo 2025 in Osaka-Kansai.
March 12, 2025
Construction Prices 2024 in Austria: Moderate Increase Despite Tense Situation in the Construction Industry
Construction prices in Austria rose moderately by 1.3% in 2024 compared to the previous year. This was announced by Statistics Austria in its latest report. While price increases eased over the year, the economic situation in the construction industry remains challenging. Residential construction in particular is suffering from high construction and financing costs, which could have a long-term impact on the labor market and future housing supply.
February 10, 2025
Shock for Austrian Foreign Trade: Weak Demand from Abroad Depresses Exports
The Austrian economy is facing a new challenge: exports slumped more sharply in November 2024 than they have for years. In particular, weak demand from Germany and the EU is causing concern - experts are warning of long-term consequences for industry and the labor market.
February 7, 2025
Austria's Industry and Economy under Pressure: Economic Experts Discuss Solutions
The situation in Austrian industry has deteriorated continuously since mid-2021. The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) is now issuing an urgent warning about the consequences of this development. “Industry is in a bleak situation,” explained IV chief economist Christian Helmenstein. There is no sign of a recovery shortly, which is seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the location and the prosperity of the country.
February 2, 2025
Viennese Sausage Stand Becomes UNESCO Cultural Heritage: A Tribute to the Viennese Way of Life
The Viennese sausage stand culture has been officially added to UNESCO's national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. With this recognition, the sausage stand joins the prestigious list of Austrian traditions and is now on par with Vienna's coffee house and wine tavern culture. The decision underlines the cultural and social significance of this institution, which goes far beyond its culinary role.
November 27, 2024
Austria's Wooden Ribbon: A Symbol of Innovation for the Expo 2025
Austria is preparing for Expo 2025 in Osaka and recently presented the centerpiece of its pavilion in Lower Austria: a spiral-shaped wooden loop that symbolizes the motto “Composing the Future”. This impressive sculpture stands for Austrian craftsmanship and the strong connection to Japan, which is to be further strengthened by the Expo.
October 31, 2024
Austria's Diplomats Meet Up: Ambassadors' Conference 2024 in Vienna
More than 100 Austrian ambassadors, permanent representatives, and consuls general from all over the world have gathered in Vienna for the Foreign Ministry's annual Ambassadors' Conference. The event, which lasts until September 5, offers diplomats a platform to discuss challenges in foreign policy. The focus is particularly on topics such as security, economic and cultural diplomacy as well as strengthening international dialog.
September 4, 2024
Richard "Mörtel" Lugner: Vienna Mourns the Loss of a Dazzling Entrepreneur and Society Star
Richard Lugner, known as "Mörtel", has died at the age of 91 in his villa in Döbling. As one of Austria's best-known entrepreneurs, Lugner shaped the cityscape of Vienna and the Austrian commercial landscape for decades.
August 12, 2024
30 Years of the WKÖ Export Prize: Austrian Companies Honored for Top Performance
Austria's export industry has achieved impressive successes over the last 30 years. EU accession in 1994 played a key role in this, paving the way for a more than five-fold increase in goods exports. Despite challenging framework conditions, the 63,700 domestic export companies achieved a record value of 200 billion euros in goods exports and 83 billion euros in services exports last year.
June 18, 2024
30 Years of the EU Referendum: A Success Story for Austria
On June 12, 1994, a groundbreaking referendum was held in Austria, in which two-thirds of the population voted in favor of joining the European Union. This decision laid the foundations for a new era of economic, political, and social integration of Austria in Europe. Since its official accession on January 1, 1995, the country has changed considerably and has since benefited from EU membership in many ways.
June 12, 2024
Strengthening Economic Relations Between Austria and Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Minister of Economy, Faisal Al-Ibrahim, visited Vienna and met with the Austrian Federal Minister of Labor and Economy, Martin Kocher. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed as part of the 9th Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee, which aims to strengthen further and diversify economic relations between the two countries.
June 5, 2024
20 Years of EU Enlargement: Austria Looks at the Success Story of European Integration
Exactly 20 years ago, on May 1, 2004, a historic enlargement of the European Union came into force. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Cyprus became member states, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Europe. This fifth round of enlargement marked a milestone for the countries involved and a significant change for Austria, as Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Austrian Society for European Politics emphasize.
May 5, 2024
Future of Research in Austria: Leader in the European Union
In an unprecedented phase of development, Austria's research landscape has set out to achieve the highest research quota within the European Union. The year 2024 marks a turning point in which the country achieves a research quota of 3.34% of gross domestic product (GDP) - a record figure that puts Austria on the ambitious path to the top in Europe.
April 24, 2024
Trade Seminar in Vienna on the Latest Regulatory Developments in the UAE
Diplomacy, business, and finance representatives gathered in Vienna for a seminar dedicated to the latest regulatory developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Organized by the Embassy of the UAE in cooperation with Crowe UAE and the Austrian Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), the seminar provided a platform for an exchange on innovations in tax, corporate, and immigration law in the UAE. The event received special support through the participation of experts from the UAE Ministry of Finance and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
March 24, 2024
Negotiations at AUA at a Standstill: Risk of Strike at Easter Increases
An impending strike at Austrian Airlines (AUA) is casting its shadow and threatening the upcoming Easter travel season. The negotiating parties are sticking to their positions regarding the collective agreements and an agreement seems a long way off.
March 24, 2024
Austrian Economic Chamber: Opportunities and Challenges for Austria in Global Trade Dynamics
Against the backdrop of an increasingly interconnected global economy and the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, Mariana Kühnel, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), emphasized the critical role of international trade for the Austrian economy. On the occasion of the Market Access Day in Vienna, she spoke about the need to secure access to global markets and open the doors to international sales markets, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
March 21, 2024
Francophonie Forum in Vienna: A Bridge Between Culture, Business and Sport
An event took place in Vienna that underlined the cultural and economic importance of the Francophonie. The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), in close cooperation with the French Embassy in Austria and the French-Austrian Chamber of Commerce (CCFA), organized the forum "L'industrie du sport parle français" ("The sports industry speaks French").
March 21, 2024
"Shaping Europe together": EBÖ Launches Second Workshop in the Run-Up to the 2024 EU Elections
The European Movement Austria (EBÖ) is intensifying its efforts to actively involve companies and associations in shaping the future of Europe. Under the motto "Shaping Europe together", the second workshop in this series will take place on March 18, 2024, at the House of the European Union in Vienna. The aim is to give participants a comprehensive insight into EU policy and enable them to play a greater role.
February 20, 2024
Michelin Guide Puts Austria's Cuisine Back on the Map
The MICHELIN Guide, one of the world's most renowned institutions for restaurant ratings, has announced that it will once again publish an Austria-wide selection of top restaurants from 2025.
February 15, 2024
Africa Day 2024: Austria Looks to Africa's Future Markets
This year's Africa Day was all about Africa's future markets and offered a platform to strengthen economic relations between Austrian and African companies. Organized by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), the event attracted more than 1,200 participants from Austria, over 30 African countries, and guests from Europe, Asia, and the USA.
February 5, 2024
Austria-Ghana: New Embassy and Strengthened Partnership
In the spirit of deepening bilateral relations, Austria and Ghana have reaffirmed their desire to intensify economic and political cooperation. At an official meeting in Vienna, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized the planned opening of an Austrian embassy in Accra later this year as a symbolic step towards promoting bilateral relations.
February 5, 2024
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg's Pioneering Visits to Senegal and South Africa
In an unprecedented diplomatic mission, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was the first Austrian official to visit Senegal and South Africa, setting new impulses in Austrian-African relations and opening the 31st Austrian Cultural Forum in Pretoria.
December 20, 2023
New Regulations in Vienna: Year-round Outdoor Cafés and Green Parklets
In an innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Vienna has adopted new regulations for catering establishments and public lounges. Both Schanigärten (Viennese Outdoor Cafés) and the green parklets known as "Grätzloasen" are now allowed to remain in public spaces all year round.
September 10, 2023
Austrian Government Aims to Increase Skilled Immigration and Address Labor Shortages
The Austrian government, led by Economy and Labor Minister Martin Kocher, plans to attract a minimum of 15,000 skilled workers from non-EU countries to Austria annually by 2027 through the Red White Red card (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte) program.
July 18, 2023
Austria on the Way to Innovation Leader in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023
Austria has improved to sixth place in this year's European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) and is thus on the right track to becoming an innovation leader.
July 13, 2023
Austrian Business Leaders and Government Officials Discuss Economic Ties with South Korea
The President of Austrian Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer welcomed South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. South Korea will be a global hotspot for future technologies of central importance for Austria.
May 14, 2023
Austrian Leadership Programs Begins With the Subject of “Life Science”
The Austrian Leadership Programs (ALPs) will run its 15th edition this year from April 17 to 21. Young leaders from around the world will gather in Vienna to discuss and represent the topic of “Life Science”
April 18, 2023
French Embassy in Vienna Held the Day of Francophonie
The French Embassy celebrated Francophonie Day in the form of an exchange on French as a "business language" at the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce.
March 30, 2023
Who Were the Four Expelled Austrian Diplomats in Moscow?
The expulsion of the Austrian diplomats, who must leave Russia, will lead to a significant reduction in embassy staff. But what positions did the diplomats hold?
February 20, 2023
30 Years of EU Single Market: Austria’s Advantages are Apparent
30 Years of the EU Single Market have had a positive influence on Austria’s economy. This is shown by the reports of the Ministry of Labor and Economy and the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO).
February 18, 2023
Austria's Agriculture Minister Totschnig against Mercosur Agreement
Austria's Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig is against ratification of the Mercosur trade agreement. In his opinion, the agreement with South America would put domestic farm families and supplies under pressure.
February 6, 2023
Austrian Companies Remain Strong in Russia
Many Austrian companies are active in Eastern Europe, especially in the Balkans, Ukraine and Russia. Especially in Russia, the activity of Austrian companies has been very successful but is controversial due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. According to research by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), almost a year after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, two-thirds of the previously present companies from Austria are still active in Russia.
January 18, 2023
Renowned MIT Europe Conference in Austria in March 2023
The Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce is bringing top researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to Austria. Innovative technologies and solutions around sustainability, energy, climate and nutrition will be presented on March 29/30, 2023 in Vienna and for the first time in Graz and Salzburg.
January 4, 2023
Austria Awards State Prize for Innovation
The State Prize Innovation 2022 from the Austrian Ministry of Labor and Economy goes to the Lower Austrian company DSM Austria GmbH. With their innovation, they make an important contribution to the safe and healthy nutrition of animals and humans.
November 16, 2022
Weekly Briefing: Fight Against Climate Crisis
The Find out more about this week's developments. At the World Climate Conference in Sharm El-Sheik, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen advocates climate justice. The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency is also trying to counter the climate crisis at the COP27 summit with its knowledge of nuclear technology and nuclear energy. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.
November 10, 2022
Austrian Chamber of Commerce Demands Acceleration of Energy Transition with Faster Approval Procedures
The EU Commission's emergency regulation is intended to accelerate the expansion of additional energy capacities, with the draft also to be extended to other areas of energy infrastructure. The head of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Karlheinz Kopf, demands acceleration of the Energy Transition with faster approval procedures and eased bureaucracy.
November 10, 2022
What is the Alps-Adriatic Economic Network?
Since 2007, the Network of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Crafts, Agriculture and Economy of the New Alpe Adria (NAAN) has been working to deepen economic relations. It now comprises - with the new addition of Bolzano - ten chambers from Austria, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. According to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, with one million member businesses, NAAN is making rapid progress toward becoming an EU Alps-Adriatic macroregion. Read more to find out about the project.
November 7, 2022
Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce and EU-Mercosur Agreement
The Association Agreement between the European Union and MERCOSUR countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, includes provisions on political dialogue, cooperation and trade. For the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce, the agreement is a fair trade deal that increases exports and jobs, and high social and environmental standards remain untouched. The EU would be the first region to conclude an agreement with Mercosur.
November 4, 2022
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