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Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer
Austria Finalizes Billion-Dollar Purchase: Twelve Italian Leonardo M-346-FA Jets to Replace Swedish Saab 105
Austria has completed the purchase of twelve Leonardo M-346-FA jets from Italy. This was announced by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (both ÖVP). The new weapon-capable subsonic jets close a capability gap that had existed since 2020 due to the decommissioning of the Saab 105.
November 30, 2025
Austria On Track: EU Commission Accepts Deficit Plans Despite Surprises
As part of its autumn package for the European Semester, the EU Commission has given Austria a positive assessment of its progress in the ongoing deficit procedure. Despite the expected higher budget deficits, particularly in some federal states, Vienna is certified to be on track to comply with EU requirements. No new requirements are expected for the time being. At the same time, the government's eagerly awaited industrial strategy is coming into focus, with leading economists calling for a “European dimension.”
November 25, 2025
25 Years of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation: Transatlantic Bridge for Science and Innovation
The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary at TUtheSky at the Vienna University of Technology. Under the motto “25 Years of Transatlantic Exchange,” the foundation brought together high-ranking representatives from politics, science, diplomacy, and numerous alumni to honor a quarter-century of successful transatlantic knowledge transfer between Austria and the United States.
November 13, 2025
Novartis Opens Second Biotech Facility in Austria
The pharmaceutical company Novartis has commissioned its second state-of-the-art cell culture facility for the production of monoclonal antibodies in Kundl (Kufstein district). The opening of the facility, which has been invested in with a total of €500 million, along with its sister facility in Schaftenau (Kufstein district), which opened in June 2024, is seen as a strong signal for the Austrian life sciences sector. With this expansion, Novartis is creating around 100 new jobs in Kundl and strengthening its global production capacity.
October 21, 2025
Austria Pushes Ahead with Hydrogen Offensive: €275 Million for Four Key Projects
Austria is underpinning its ambition to become the “European hub for green hydrogen” with a massive investment: four key national projects are being funded with a total of €274.8 million. This was announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
October 20, 2025
Hattmannsdorfer Calls for Tough EU Action Against Hungary's Special Tax
Austria's Minister of Economic Affairs is urging Brussels to take Hungary to the European Court of Justice because the special tax imposed by Budapest burdens international retail chains such as Spar and Hofer with a discriminatory levy of up to 4.5 percent of net sales.
October 12, 2025
Austria Focuses on “Continent of Opportunity” with National Africa Strategy
The federal government has given the green light in the Council of Ministers for the development of a comprehensive, nationwide Austrian Africa strategy. The strategy aims to raise relations with the African continent in the areas of economy, security, migration, education, and culture to a new, structured level.
October 2, 2025
WIFO Chief Calls for Tougher Stance in Tariff Dispute with the U.S.
In the ongoing tariff dispute between the European Union and the United States of America, Gabriel Felbermayr, Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), advocates a reorientation of the European negotiating strategy.
August 28, 2025
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
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
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
New Economics Minister Hattmannsdorfer Against the Deindustrialization of Austria and Europe
Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) sent out a signal for the importance of industry in Austria with his first official company visit as Minister of Economic Affairs. The trip took him to his hometown of Linz to voestalpine, where he emphasized that the business location is facing decisive challenges. The new minister assured that “the stop button for industrial migration” would be pressed with the new government program.
March 5, 2025
A New Chapter for Austria: The Faces of the Federal Government 2025
The inauguration of the new federal government marks the beginning of a new era in Austrian politics. For the first time, a three-party coalition of the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, led by Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), is in power. He is joined by Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS). The new government has 21 members in total. But who are the people who will steer the country's destiny in the coming years?
March 3, 2025
