19/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – With two days to go before the European Council, SMEunited, which represents SMEs and the craft industry, warned of the consequences of soaring energy prices for SMEs in a statement published on Tuesday 19 October. Despite the economic recovery of companies (see EUROPE 12812/10), SMEunited notes a slowdown in activity, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The employers’ organisation advocates at national level, among other things, a temporary reduction in energy taxes. At European level, it calls on European competition authorities and market regulators to investigate possible abuses by market players, for example in the ETS market for emission allowances, as well as in the maritime transport market. In the medium term, the association believes that there is a need to improve gas storage mechanisms in Europe, and to consider the voluntary joint purchase of stocks. (PH)