Economy & Jobs
France conditions support for opening US trade talks
France wants to secure enough guarantees in terms of environmental protection and access to public procurement markets, before moving forward into trade talks with the US, president Emmanuel Macron said during the European Council on Friday (22 March).
‘Don’t be naive with China’, EU leaders tell Italy
EU leaders displayed a united front toward China on Friday (22 March) and warned the Italian government of the consequences of signing a bilateral deal with Beijing to become part of the new ‘Silk Road’.
5G not part of Italy-China agreement, Di Maio says
Chinese investments into the development of 5G communications networks are not included in the agreement between China and Italy set to be signed tomorrow, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday (22 March).
With Brexit imminent, EU celebrates ‘neighbourly cooperation’ with EEA
Only hours after intense Brexit negotiations on a delay to the UK's exit date, EU leaders on Friday (22 March) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement on joint legislation on movement of goods, services, persons and capital.
Macron, Merkel and Juncker to meet China’s Xi on Tuesday
French President Emmanuel Macron invited German chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to join a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next Tuesday (26 March), in a bid to forge a united front in European efforts to rebalance relations with Beijing.
Romanian exporters face an artificial barrier, costs transferred to EU citizens
Visions of trucks being stuck at the border in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit should also remind people of the delays faced by Romanian companies exporting into the Schengen area, writes Stefan Radu-Oprea.
EU urges China to progress on demands to dispel ‘frustration’
The EU will give Chinese leaders a comprehensive list of demands next month to address the growing “frustration” among Europeans, and to improve bilateral cooperation as it reaches a critical junction, various senior EU officials explained on Wednesday (20 March).
Europe has saved the banks, now we must save its citizens
Introducing an EU-guaranteed minimum income would send a clear message to Europeans that the Union really is there for them, writes Georges Dassis.
Europe ringfences 35% of research budget for clean tech
European Union negotiators struck an agreement late on Tuesday (19 March) to set aside 35% of the bloc’s research funding for climate-friendly technologies, despite ongoing doubts about the overall size of the EU's future budget after Brexit.
Transatlantic economy faces adverse conditions and slower growth in EU
The transatlantic economy of the US and the EU has been increasingly stressed by potential tariffs on imports and changes in global stability, according to a new report by the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU, released on Wednesday...
Europe depends on its cities
Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims.
The Brief – Alone in the dark
As Europe is nearing the end of an extremely turbulent mandate, the bloc is starting to realise just how much ground has been lost in preparing for a brave new economic world.
Almost 7% of EU imports are counterfeit and pirate goods
According to a joint report by Europe's intellectual property office and the OECD released on Monday (18 March), 6.8% of EU imports are counterfeit and pirated goods. That accounts for €121 billion.
European innovation council ramps up with improved pilot phase
The European Commission announced on Monday (18 March) new changes to the European Innovation Council and a budget increase to €2 billion, to improve and encourage entrepreneurs and innovation in Europe.
Companies will support EU law on due diligence, but need assurances on liability
Companies will support EU law on human rights due diligence, but want assurances that it will not expose them to increased risk of lawsuits, argues Virginie Mahin.
Copyright MEP in bomb threat scare
German police are investigating the Bonn office of Axel Voss, the MEP leading the controversial copyright directive through the European Parliament, after he was the subject of a bomb threat last week, German media are reporting.
Association chief: Portuguese textile industry likes to think Brexit will not happen
Portugal has strong links with Britain and Brexit is perceived as a challenge in the country, as it has affected trade since the time of the referendum in 2016. But many companies seem to believe that Brexit will not happen, Paulo Vaz told EURACTIV in an interview.
In Bucharest, local leaders call to rebuild the EU from the bottom
Hundreds of European local and regional leaders demanded a bottom-up approach to rebuild the EU, during the 8th Cities and Regions summit in Bucharest, ahead of the informal European Council on the future of Europe in Sibiu in May.
Fair taxation: A mixed bag of results for the Juncker Commission
Since the LuxLeaks scandal, the fair taxation agenda has made some headway. But resistance from member states has also blocked many measures during the Juncker Commission mandate. EURACTIV France reports. What conclusions can be drawn from the Juncker Commission’s fair...
EU’s ‘Tobin tax’ now expected to collect only €3.5 billon
The latest proposal for an EU financial transaction tax (FTT) received lukewarm support earlier this week, with expected revenues brought down tenfold, to €3.45 billion annually, under a watered-down version tabled by France and Germany, according to documents seen by EURACTIV.
Parliament rejects opening trade talks with Trump
The European Parliament failed to pass a resolution on Thursday (14 March) supporting the start of negotiations with the US on removing tariffs for industrial goods, worsening the prospects of de-escalating trade tensions between Brussels and Washington.
Spotify files EU antitrust complaint against Apple
Spotify has filed a complaint with EU antitrust regulators against Apple, saying the iPhone maker unfairly limits rivals to its own Apple Music streaming service.
Taking back control: Empowering women and girls through sports
World champions and Olympic athletes are helping empower school girls through sports to become leaders in their communities, thanks to an EU funded project.