Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

EU Transport Ministers Fail to Find Common Ground in Fuel Tax Talks

European Union transport ministers last night failed to reach a common position on the plight of European truckers who face rising fuel prices, even after talking late into the night

by Staff
September 21, 2000
1 min to read


European Union transport ministers last night failed to reach a common position on the plight of European truckers who face rising fuel prices, even after talking late into the night.

According to the Associated Press, after more than seven hours of discussion over social and environmental concerns related to transportation, transport ministers failed to coordinate their tax policies.
The 15 EU ministers gathered in Luxembourg to try to find a way to put an end to protests by truckers, farmers, and fisherman who have been voicing their anger about skyrocketing world old prices, which have reached 10-year highs.
Transport ministers criticized France for giving truckers a tax break, saying the move inspired similar anti-tax fuel protests across the continent.
France, who currently holds the EU presidency, issued a statement saying it "will continue its study of indirect fuel taxes, in line with its objectives for common policies on transport and energy."
France, Italy and the Netherlands reacted to protests in recent weeks by slashing fuel taxes, while Britain and Belgium refused to give into protesting truckers.
The protests showed signs of spreading to Canada, where 1,800 independent truckers warned they would go on strike at Friday night unless something was done to reduce fuel costs.

Topics:Equipment

More Equipment

FTR 2026 trailer sales.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 20, 2026

Trailer Orders Hold Steady in January as Backlogs Rebuild

FTR says net trailer orders are flat month over month at 24,206 units, with 2026 orders still trailing last year.

Read More →
Daimler Gen 6 diesel engines.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsFebruary 19, 2026

Detroit Bets on Evolution, Not Reinvention, for EPA 2027 

Detroit's DD13, DD15, and DD16 engines get a pre-SCR boost, 3% fuel-efficiency gains, and familiar service intervals as Daimler prepares for trucking's next emissions era. 

Read More →
Photo of Volvo VNR pulling a trailer into building
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 17, 2026

Volvo Starts Factory Production of All-New VNR Regional Truck

Production begins less than a year after Volvo unveiled its new regional-haul VNR.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Aurora Drive autonomous truck.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 13, 2026

Aurora Adds 1,000-Mile Driverless Run from Fort Worth to Phoenix

Aurora announced it has validated a 1,000-mile driverless lane beyond Hours of Service limits and plans to have more than 200 self-driving trucks on the road by the end of the year.

Read More →
Mercedes-Benz 130 years of trucking.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsFebruary 12, 2026

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates 130 Years of Trucking Heritage

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks Classic is opening the anniversary year “130 Years Trucks” at Retro Classics Stuttgart from February 19 to 22, 2026. Check out these photos.

Read More →
Phillips Connect TrailerID.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 11, 2026

Phillips Connect TrailerID Automates Trailer Pairing to Cut Errors and Boost Fleet Visibility

New hardware-and-software solution from Phillips Connect confirms tractor-trailer connections automatically, eliminating manual driver input and improving compliance, dispatch accuracy, security, and billing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sidekick fifth-wheel attachment for forklifts.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 10, 2026

Sidekick Introduces Forklift-Operated Trailer Movers for Safer Yard Operations

A new, hands-free, self-locking fifth-wheel attachment helps facilities reposition trailers without tractors or chains.

Read More →
2026 Mack Pioneer
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 10, 2026

Mack Extends Partnership as Official Hauler of Nascar

A new, multi-year renewal deal will keep Mack in place as Nascar’s official hauler.

Read More →
Illustration showing diesel exhaust fluid pump sign and EPA headquarters
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeFebruary 3, 2026

EPA Wants to Know: Are DEF De-Rates Really Needed for Diesel Emissions Compliance?

The Environmental Protection Agency is asking diesel engine makers to provide information about diesel exhaust fluid system failures as it considers changes to emissions regulations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
PlusAI, Traton Group autonomous truck partnership.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

Traton, PlusAI Accelerate Factory-Built Autonomous Truck Launch in U.S. and Europe

The companies also said they plan to coordinate deployment planning across priority freight corridors and define routes and operational design domains for U.S. commercial service while laying the groundwork for expansion into key European markets.

Read More →