On the X platform (formerly Twitter), Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, an MEP from Poland’s PiS party, addressed Elon Musk directly to debunk a popular myth about EU funding. The politician emphasized that Germany does not bear the highest costs of EU integration. On the contrary, it is the greatest beneficiary of the single market.
Germany Stows Away
Saryusz-Wolski highlighted that Germany reaps massive economic benefits from the EU’s single market, gaining access to the open markets of less affluent member states. He also noted that the EU’s net budget transfers are modest and disproportionately small compared to the macroeconomic advantages enjoyed by the bloc’s largest economies.
A Comparison with the US
In his post, the MEP referenced budgetary data, pointing out that the EU’s budget amounts to just 1% of the bloc’s GDP, while the US federal budget constitutes a striking 23% of GDP. For context, in 2023, the US allocated over $1 trillion in transfers to poorer states, underscoring the stark difference in approaches to addressing regional disparities.
A Message to Musk
Saryusz-Wolski aimed to inform Elon Musk that the narrative of Germany as a “net contributor” doesn’t capture the full picture of the benefits it derives from EU membership. The MEP backed his claims with an extensive bibliography and documents from the European Commission.
Dear @elonmusk
— Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (@JSaryuszWolski) November 21, 2024
This is utterly W R O N G ‼️
Germany does not carry a lot of the cost of the EU.
On the contrary, GERMANY IS THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARY of the EU, freeriding on its Single Market and the currency €urozone.
Various deep economic studies, see rich bibliography… https://t.co/PPAyOWIzYC pic.twitter.com/wFZxkLvdTh