Economy & Jobs
Finland’s paperworkers start three-week-long strike
Some 9,000 workers at Finnish paper mills will start a three-week strike on Monday (27 January) after wage talks broke down, their labor union said in a statement, the latest in a series of labor conflicts to hit Finland.
A net-zero emissions future to guide Europe through turbulent economic times
Climate action can be the polestar guiding EU leaders through turbulent economic waters, writes Pascal Lamy, calling on politicians to put climate policy at the heart of a coherent industrial strategy.
Centeno: ‘I do see good reasons to support green investment under the fiscal rules’
Speaking to EURACTIV in Davos, Eurogroup President Mario Centeno remained hopeful about the eurozone's stalled reform process, saying there are “good reasons” to support ‘green’ investment as part of a broader review of EU fiscal rules due later this year.
Divided EU leaders to hammer out budget at February summit
European Union leaders meet next month in Brussels to try to agree a first post-Brexit longterm budget, with divisions over proposed cuts that could undermine defence and climate change ambitions.
LEAK: EU charts 6G future in ambitious industrial plan
The European Commission has set out a series of comprehensive plans to revolutionise the bloc's industrial sector, with a heavy interest in developing key technologies with 'strategic importance', including measures to go 'beyond 5G' and 'towards 6G.'
IMF warns of the risk of central banks’ ‘cheap money’
The monetary stimulus has been one of the main engines of growth over the past years, but continuing with the supply of 'cheap money' could hurt low-income countries, fuel risky investments and affect savers, warned the IMF on Friday (24 January).
Davos 2020 diary – day #5
Welcome to Davos where the 50th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place on 21-25 January. Throughout the week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into one of the world’s most exclusive conferences where political and business leaders meet every year to discuss global economic trends.
China, WTO members join EU’s ad-hoc appellate body in Davos
EU member states reached an agreement on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum with 16 World Trade Organisation members, including China, to establish an ad-hoc appeal body and overcome the US blockage of the global trade-regulating system.
Davos 2020 diary – day #4
Welcome to Davos where the 50th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place on 21-25 January. Throughout the week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into one of the world’s most exclusive conferences where political and business leaders meet every year to discuss global economic trends.
ECB’s Lagarde warns of ‘danger of doing nothing’ on climate
ECB chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday (23 January) said the bank would study what role it could play in combatting climate change as part of a major policy review, warning of "the danger of doing nothing".
Merkel defends financial crisis management legacy before economic elite in Davos
German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her tough stand and the austere fiscal policy she pursued in response to the financial crisis that shook up the eurozone in 2008 as she addressed the World Economic Forum on Thursday (23 January).
Apple pushes back against EU common charger, warns of innovation risks
iPhone maker Apple on Thursday (23 January) pushed back against EU lawmakers’ call for a common charger, warning the move could hamper innovation, create a mountain of electronic waste and irk consumers.
OECD chief: ‘Sánchez government is a response to Spain’s political reality’
OECD Secretary-General Ángel Gurría is one of the most-wanted men in the corridors of the World Economic Forum, held this week in Davos (Switzerland). On Wednesday (22 January) he introduced Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the forum as “one of the great champions of multilateralism”.
Davos 2020 diary – day #3
Welcome to Davos where the 50th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place on 21-25 January. Throughout the week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into one of the world’s most exclusive conferences where political and business leaders meet every year to discuss global economic trends.
Europeans to pass national digital tax by end 2020 if no OECD deal
Despite of the US threats to impose new tariffs, France, Italy, Spain and the UK said on Wednesday (22 July) that they would move ahead with their national digital tax if there is no agreement at the OECD level by the end of this year
Spain announces 5.5% hike in minimum wage as ‘tool’ against inequality
Spain's new government on Wednesday (22 January) announced a 5.5% rise in the minimum wage retroactive to 1 January, the third major economic initiative the left-wing coalition has announced since taking office this month.
Trump revives trade battle with Europe with threat to cars
US President Donald Trump, fresh from calling a trade truce with China, threatened on Wednesday (22 January) to impose crippling tariffs on European autos unless the EU budges on a transatlantic deal. The European Union talked up hopes for such...
LEAK: EU must step up Single Market enforcement, states tell Commission
The European Union must step up the application and enforcement of Single Market law or risk losing ‘credibility and effectiveness’, according to a leaked paper to the EU executive signed by 14 member states.
EU Green Deal can help set the tone for CEOs in Davos
The European Green Deal gives CEOs a major opportunity to lead their companies in ways that can build their brands while also cutting carbon. So what, exactly, should they do? Thomas Pellerin-Carlin and Peter Sweatman have three suggestions.
German raids over suspected Mitsubishi diesel fraud
German prosecutors have raided 10 business premises as part of a probe into suspected diesel emissions cheating involving Mitsubishi cars, the latest fallout from the so-called "dieselgate" scandal.
IMF calls for ‘more automatism’ in public spending
As monetary policy nears its limits to lift the world's sluggish economy, the International Monetary Fund told governments on Tuesday (21 January) to introduce "more automatism" in their fiscal rules in order to counter the economic slowdown.
US administration declines to release report targeting imported cars as national security threat
The Trump administration is snubbing Congress by refusing to turn over a report detailing an investigation into national security risks potentially posed by imported vehicles and auto parts, citing pending international negotiations and executive branch deliberations.
The case for a border carbon tax as an own resource to the EU budget
To deliver on the flagship European Green Deal, there is a need to introduce a new source of revenues for the EU budget under the form of carbon tax, writes Ivailo Kalfin.