Economy & Jobs
PwC chief: ‘I do think that tensions between US and China will continue’
Pessimism is growing among CEOs, noted the latest global survey published on Monday by PwC, a consultancy firm. In an interview with EURACTIV.com, the global chairman of PwC, Bob Moritz, recommended companies and governments to focus on execution in order to truly turn risks into opportunities.
Has the EU delivered on economy and growth?
The European elections will take place in just over four months. Economy and growth will play an important role in deciding who will sit in the new European Parliament.
The Brief – Why Davos?
The World Economic Forum starts today but as fears of a new recession grow and political tensions arise, the question for many is: does the exclusive meeting serve any actual purpose?
Czech transport companies under threat from better driver salaries
Truck drivers should earn the same salaries as their foreign colleagues while working abroad, according to new EU rules. But non-EU competition and disgruntled hauliers complicate the issue further. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Europe’s gigabit future
High-capacity connectivity is vital in scaling Europe's broadband networks across the continent, in the hope of guaranteeing Europe's position at the forefront of the 4th industrial revolution.
Copyright directive faces further setback as final trilogue postponed
The controversial EU copyright directive faces a further setback after the final inter-institutional negotiations set to take place on Monday evening (21 January) were cancelled on Friday.
Le Maire renews push for EU-wide digital services tax
Renewed plans to roll out an EU-wide digital services tax may be back on the cards and could be agreed by the end of March, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in an interview published on Sunday (20 January).
World’s 26 richest own as much as 3.8 billion poorest: Oxfam
Billionaire fortunes increased by 12% a day in 2018, while the 3.8 billion poorest people saw their wealth decline by 11% a day, according to a report released by Oxfam to mark the opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
ECB reshuffle: The EU can do better than gentlemen’s agreements behind closed doors
Appointments to the European Central Bank's Executive Board are no less than a strategic and political decision over the future of the Eurozone. But experience has shown this process is not transparent, open, and democratic enough to protect the ECB from its legitimacy gap, argue Stanislas Jourdan and Sebastian Diessner.
Electric bikes still face uphill ride in EU as China tariffs take effect
EU rules are doing a lot to promote the use of electric vehicles but tax reform proposals and motor insurance requirements risk undercutting a growing market for electric bicycles.
EU gets ready to retaliate if US adopts fresh car tariffs
The European Commission adopted on Friday (18 January) negotiating mandates to eliminate tariffs in all industrial goods, including cars, with the US, but also warned that the preparations to retaliate are “very well advanced” if Washington decides to slap fresh duties on European automobiles.
Tweets of the Week: Meaningful vote, Adamowicz, and the eurozone turns 20
This week, Theresa May thrashed by her peers, mayor’s murder brings Gdansk to tears and the Euro celebrates 20 years. This episode is supported by ACCA.
Copyright directive faces tough test as EU ambassadors meet
EU ambassadors convene on Friday morning (18 January) to try and reach a provisional deal on the controversial copyright directive ahead of final "trialogue" talks next Monday (21 January). Meanwhile, lobbyists in Brussels ramp up their opposition against the bill.
Time to give up sacred EU budget cows
As EU member states debate the bloc’s next 7-year budget, no sector should be off-limits. Annika Hedberg argues that each euro spent should provide added value for the EU and its citizens, including the agricultural sector, a major recipient of EU money.
Protecting journalism is not synonymous with protecting the interests of big press publishers
The review of the EU Copyright Directive must ensure that publishers, regardless of their size, equally benefit from this reform, writes Carlos Astiz.
Germany considers Huawei 5G ban amid global backlash against Chinese tech giant
The German government is considering excluding Huawei from the country's 5G market amid a global backlash against the Chinese telecoms company. The news comes a week after a senior Huawei executive was arrested on espionage charges in Poland.
World risks sleepwalking into next crisis, Davos report warns
Global risks are intensifying but the will to tackle them collectively is eroding, as forces across the planet call for “taking back control”, the World Economic Forum warned in its latest report published on Wednesday (16 January).
Study: Cohesion’s impact on local audiences still remains limited
Social outcomes in Cohesion policy remain relatively obscure for the general public compared to economic developments, a recent project study has found. In addition to that, the process of reaching local audiences remains a challenge for policymakers and organisations across the European regions.
MEPs agree to fund ‘chimera’ nuclear fusion project
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday (15 January) to extend the funding of an experimental fusion power reactor through to 2027, although some MEPs are still concerned about the multi-billion euro moon-shot that could revolutionise the way power is generated.
Davos forum opens debate to rethink multilateralism
The World Economic Forum will discuss new models of cooperation in Davos next week amid growing pressure from politicians and people who question the benefits of globalisation.
EU-Swiss talks hit impasse, causing Brexit confusion
Talks between Brussels and Berne have been running since 2014 in a bid to formalise the 120 separate accords that have been negotiated between the EU and Switzerland since a 1992 referendum in the Alpine state rejected joining the European Economic Area. But the draft agreement, which was made public in early December, now seems unlikely to become reality.
Cambodian PM blackmails EU, threatens to exterminate the opposition
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday (14 January) threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdraws duty-free trading access over human rights concerns.
Updating copyright rules for news: There’s a better way
The EU Copyright directive should avoid making reforms that takes away publishers’ choices about how to distribute and make money with their content online, writes Richard Gingras.