Economy & Jobs
Don’t protect us from doing business!
It’s always a pleasure to be praised as strategically important. But when looking at the European Commission’s current proposal for screening foreign direct investments, many entrepreneurs ask: what is the strategy? Thilo Brodtmann explains.
Commission ponders a tax on online sales
The Commission will suggest on Wednesday (20 September) alternatives to tax companies operating on Internet, including a withholding tax on online sales of non-resident companies or a levy on revenues coming from digital services or advertising, according to a document seen by EURACTIV.
CETA goes live, but not without foes
On Thursday (21 September), the EU-Canada trade agreement enters provisionally into force, sparking a rehash of old claims.
EU moves to extend grip on financial sector after Brexit
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday (20 September) transferring some powers to oversee the financial sector from national capitals in a move to extend the EU’s grip on the industry as the bloc prepares for the departure of London, its main financial hub.
Merkel’s EU-policies: Paris can wait
Merkel keeps a low profile in the election campaign regarding European issues, trying not to alienate voters as well as potential coalition partners.
The OECD must return to its founding principles
In a world beset by fake news, where facts are all too often subordinated to politics, smart policymaking requires independent institutions that can provide objective research and analysis, grounding political debate in science and reason, writes Justus Haucap.
Falling youth unemployment is not a reason for complacency
Europe needs to better integrate young people into the labour market if it is to address youth unemployment effectively, writes Denis Pennel.
With age(ing) comes wisdom: Shifting the debate on living longer
Ministers and experts from more than 50 countries meet in Lisbon this week for a major conference on “realizing the potential of living longer”. Olga Algayerova explains why Europe must carefully review what living longer means for how we live and work together.
Post-election Germany: An iron chancellor with a liberal sidekick?
If the liberal FDP enters a coalition with the conservative CDU in Berlin, Merkel and Schäuble will have to adapt their plans for the future of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). EURACTIV Germany's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
EU firms hope China will make good on pledges to open market – report
A top European business lobby said on Tuesday (19 September) that EU companies were suffering from "promise fatigue" caused by China's failure to follow through on pledges to open its market.
Youth (un)employment: What challenges and solutions for Europe?
Youth unemployment is a complex phenomenon affecting millions of young Europeans, their communities and the future of all Member States.
Farmers warn against ‘devastating’ impact of Mercosur on EU beef
European farmers’ unions are urging the European Commission not to allow a surge in beef imports from South America’s Mercosur trading bloc, saying it would have a “devastating impact” on rural jobs and EU food standards.
Canada to model post-Brexit Britain trade on CETA
Canada agreed on Monday (18 September) to use its new free trade agreement with Europe as a template for a pact with Britain after its largest trading partner within the European Union leaves the bloc.
Ansip: In digital, we are equal partners with Africa
Commission Vice President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip debriefed EURACTIV.com following a recent meeting of the EU ministers responsible for development in Tallinn, where “Digital for development” was one of the agenda items.
Commission ignores calls for objectives in new industrial strategy
The European Commission did not include new strategic objectives and targets in its industrial package unveiled on Monday (18 September), stressing instead that a master plan already exists for European industry.
Privacy Shield: A strong framework for transatlantic digital trade
The Privacy Shield agreement has already improved data protection and digital trade between the EU and the US in its first year, and that should continue, writes Victoria A. Espinel.
EU agrees to draft proposal to raise taxes on internet giants
A majority of member states agreed to start preparing a new levy on digital companies to compensate for low-tax regimes that cost billions of euros to European governments.
Digital revolution forces rethink of labour and welfare
The transformation of jobs in the digital era will force governments to review their welfare systems and workers to constantly update their skills, senior European officials, experts and ministers agreed during a conference held in the Estonian capital Tallinn this week.
What the EU risks by opening up its market to Brazilian sugar cane ethanol
Free and fair trade that helps boost economic growth and create jobs is a concept most people support. But trade policy is about more than just open markets; it should also support – rather than work against – a government’s overall objectives, writes Emmanuel Desplechin.
France and Juncker disagree over eurozone priorities
France’s Economy and Finance minister Bruno Le Maire said that the priority should be eurozone integration before accepting new members, as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker defended this week.
For the EU, the real ‘Middle Kingdom’ is still the US
In its One Belt, One Road initiative, China is making a bid to dominate the economy of the 20th century. But the real value in today's economy isn't in ports and railroads. The real value is in people – and in the networks that connect them, writes Salvatore Babones.
Dijsselbloem to remain until January amid EU top job rethink
Acting Dutch finance minister, Jeroen Dijssselbloem will continue as Eurogroup President until the end of his mandate in January, various eurozone officials told EURACTIV.com, quashing speculation that he would step down earlier following an election rout at home.
UN calls for global economic makeover to replace neoliberalism
The world must ditch austerity and economic neoliberalism and undertake a global "New Deal" to rebalance the global economy and achieve prosperity for all, the UN trade and development agency UNCTAD said in a report on Thursday (14 September).
Bütikofer: ‘The priority to support additive manufacturing is financing research’
Reinhard Bütikofer is one of the most authoritative voices in the European Parliament on 3D printing. In his view, Europe will have to struggle over the next decade to be a leader in industry, and will get there only if it turns research efforts into innovative results.