Economy & Jobs

Re-starting the EU economy – How can industry contribute to a resilient and sustainable recovery?

The outbreak of the corona pandemic has posed a serious threat to European industry in both the short and long term, from disruption of supply chains due to transport and travel restrictions, to the loss of suppliers. Most industrial companies...

Dutch MEP Paul Tang to chair new tax subcommittee

Dutch Labour MEP Paul Tang is expected to be elected the chair of the new European Parliament’s subcommittee on taxation on Friday (10 July), after the political groups reached an agreement on his choice, Parliament sources have told EURACTIV.com.

Dutch ‘preachers and salesmen’ lead EU frugality drive

The Netherlands will be at the centre of upcoming talks over European spending on the coronavirus crisis, driven by a mix of traditional Calvinist frugality and political reality, experts say.

Italy will not accept ‘weak compromise’ on EU recovery fund, PM says

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday (7 July) the European Union must act decisively to build a common response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, urging that support measures be activated rapidly.

EU to face difficulties without a deal on recovery plan, Budget Commissioner warns

If EU leaders fail to reach an agreement on a pandemic recovery package next week, “we will enter into difficulties,” the EU Commissioner for Budget, Johannes Hahn, warned during an event in Brussels on Tuesday (7 July).

Altmaier argues against ‘international monopolies’ in the platform economy

A "well-regulated" platform economy should allow for small and medium-sized enterprises to compete fairly and should not lead to the formation of "international monopolies", German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Tuesday (7 July).

Europe’s need for an investment plan sustaining its future

The EU should to co-finance independent investments with equity in growth enterprises by guaranteeing public funding as pooled at EU level, write Christian Motzfeldt, Erika Mann and William Stevens.

Rule of law a must before getting EU money, Jourova insists

European Union countries should only get money from the bloc's budget and the COVID-19 recovery fund if they have robust courts and safeguards against corruption, a top official said on Monday (6 July), a couched warning to Poland and Hungary, among others.

Eyeing United States, EU lawmakers seek quicker trade retaliation

EU lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a proposal on Monday (6 July) to allow the European Union to retaliate more quickly in trade disputes, with a clear eye on the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

EU must end investment protection in the fossil sector

The Energy Charter Treaty, which dates back to the 1990s, severely restricts Europe's ability to change regulations in the energy sector, with many EU member states facing court actions worth billions of euros, write a group of MEPs. If the treaty cannot be reformed, then it must be scrapped, they argue.

Counterfeit and illegal sellers to be targeted in Digital Services Act, Vestager says

A crackdown on the sale of counterfeit and illegal goods across online platforms is likely to feature in the European Commission's upcoming Digital Services Act plans, the EU's Vice-President for Digital Affairs, Margrethe Vestager has said.

Six months to reflect on the new world we want

Decision makers should ‘take a breath’ and come up with a comprehensive plan to achieve the digital and green future we want in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, officials and experts said.

Belgium and most EU countries exempted from UK travel restrictions

The UK will lift its two week quarantine requirements for people travelling to and from most EU countries from next week, as Boris Johnson’s government continues to ease restrictions put in place to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Austria’s trains take over short-haul flight route

Austrian Airlines will cease operating its Vienna-Salzburg route, the flag-carrier announced on Thursday (2 July). Instead, the service will be replaced by more direct trains, in an effort to honour the terms of the government's recent bailout deal.

Europeans save up to €2 billion thanks to caps on bank cards fees

Bank cards fees for European merchants and consumers have decreased over the past years thanks to the new EU rules, generating savings of up to €2 billion annually, according to a European Commission report published this week.

Regional leader: Without cohesion, Europe cannot stand

As the EU faces the deepest recession in its history, the bloc's long-contested Cohesion Policy – its regional development instrument – has now become central to the recovery plan. EURACTIV spoke about it with the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

EU hits 10 countries with ‘voucher-gate’ legal action

The European Commission announced on Thursday (2 July) that it would launch an infringement procedure against ten EU member states that are in breach of the bloc’s passenger rights rules. Greece and Italy were hit with legal action twice.

Alstom ready to sell assets to get EU merger approval

French TGV high-speed train maker Alstom is prepared to sell assets to secure early EU antitrust approval for its bid for Bombardier Inc's rail division, people familiar with the matter said.

EU-Mercosur deal will have devastating impact on climate, NGOs warn

After 20 years of negotiations, the text of the EU-Mercosur deal was concluded between the EU and the Latin American countries of Mercosur on 28 June in Brussels. While the agreement still has to be approved by the European Parliament and Council, farmers and environmental NGOs are still disappointed. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.

Von der Leyen calls mini-summit to push for a deal on recovery plan

European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen called on Thursday (2 July) a mini-summit for next week with her counterparts at the Council, Parliament and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to work towards a deal on the EU recovery package.

Malaysia vows WTO lawsuit against EU over palm oil

Malaysia will file a lawsuit at the World Trade Organisation over the European Union's plans to end the use of palm oil-based biofuels, a minister said Wednesday (2 July).

Mercosur leaders look to close EU deal despite Macron’s resistance

Mercosur ministers reported progress on the final text of a trade agreement with the European Union on Wednesday (1 July) on the eve of a summit meeting overshadowed by French President Emmanuel Macron's latest comments against the deal.

EU fiscal watchdog wants to scrap ‘unrealistic’ 60% debt limit

The European Fiscal Board on Tuesday (1 July) recommended to get rid of the EU's debt threshold of 60% of GDP and instead adopt realistic debt targets specific to the bloc's national economies.

German EU Presidency: Berlin to lead on EU economic policy

As Germany took over the EU Council Presidency on Wednesday (1 July), Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) presented plans for reorienting the bloc's economic policy, signalling Germany's commitment towards non-EU countries and confirming the focus on the digital and green economy. EURACTIV Germany reports.