Economy & Jobs
EU sees carbon border levy as ‘matter of survival’ for industry
The European Union's proposed carbon border charge is essential to the survival of its own industries and the bloc will impose the levy on non-EU competitors unless they commit to lowering their emissions, the bloc's climate policy chief said on Monday (18 January).OpinionPromoted content
Why the EU needs industry for a successful Green Deal
Climate neutrality can only be reached by considering the needs of industries such as mechanical engineering, which enables climate protection in the first place. Companies need freedom to operate and innovate rather than prescriptive regulation.
Malaysia takes WTO legal action against EU over palm biofuel curbs
Malaysia is taking legal action at the global trade watchdog against the European Union and member states France and Lithuania for restricting palm oil-based biofuels, the government said.
France suggests pause on ‘poisonous’ US-EU trade standoff
The European Union and the US should "pause" a long-running tariff disagreement to allow the issue to be resolved, France's foreign minister suggested Sunday (17 January).
Dombrovskis: Continued suspension of EU Stability Pact will depend on spring assessment
The suspension of the Stability and Growth Pact in 2022 will depend on economic developments, European Commission executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis told EURACTIV’s partner Lusa, pointing to a possible decision in the spring.
Brussels postponed green finance rules after 10 EU states wielded veto
The European Commission was forced to delay publication of detailed implementing rules on the EU’s sustainable finance taxonomy because of the sheer number of comments received and a threat of blockage from eastern and southern EU member states, EURACTIV can reveal.
Commission to propose KPIs to measure ‘real’ progress in industrial strategy
The European Commission is working on a series of key performance indicators (KPI) to include in the update of its industrial strategy expected for March, to measure the transformation of European industry and its resilience in the aftermath of the pandemic.
20% of UK chemicals registrations face revocation after Brexit
Around 20% of registrations from UK-based companies to the European Union's REACH chemicals database have not been transferred to EU companies and will be revoked after 31 March 2021, according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Spain planning reforms to access EU funding sooner
The Spanish government is currently drafting a detailed “road map” of reforms – including changes to pensions and the country's labour law – in order to speed up access to EU funding and mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
From Europe to Central Asia, converted containers are trendy
Pop-up stores and restaurants using converted shipping containers are a growing trend in Europe and across the world, apparently boosted by behavioural changes caused by the Covid pandemic. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Green MEP accuses Germany of ‘setting a bad example’ in its recovery plan
The draft of Germany's recovery plan promises that 80% of the EU recovery funds will go to climate protection and digitalisation, well above the EU's requirements. However, Green MEP Sven Giegold has complained that only a quarter will go to future investments and most of the money is earmarked for old projects. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Scottish fishermen threaten to dump rotten shellfish outside British parliament
Scottish fishermen have threatened to dump rotten shellfish outside the British parliament after their deliveries to the European Union were blocked by post-Brexit red tape.
German economy braces for second wave impact
Official data Thursday (14 January) are expected to show that the German economy weathered the pandemic better than many nations last year, partly thanks to its resilient manufacturers, but a virus resurgence is fuelling concern for 2021.
Spain to extend temporary lay-off schemes for 800,000 workers
The Spanish government is ready to approve before Friday (15 January) an extension of temporary lay-off schemes put in place March last year to protect jobs for around 800,000 workers affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism and services sectors. EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports. VideoPromoted content
Services of General Interest and their role in the post-COVID19 recovery
While the COVID-19 crisis has significantly highlighted and impacted the services of general interest, they will be central in landing the green and digital transitions in a fair and inclusive way. On the occasion of their new identity, SGI Europe...
Regions want a larger say in future EU-UK relationship
Europe's local politicians want a bigger role in establishing the future relationship between the EU and the UK. This was the overwhelming feeling among members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) at Monday's meeting of the CoR-UK contact group. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Conte faces showdown with aggrieved coalition party
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte faced a cabinet showdown on Tuesday (12 January) with a small coalition partner that could bring down his government and unleash political chaos on Italy as it struggles to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
New US tariffs on French, German aircraft parts become effective
The US government on Monday (11 January) said it would begin collecting new duties on aircraft parts and other products from France and Germany from Tuesday after failing to resolve a 16-year dispute over aircraft subsidies with the European Union.
Poland, Hungary face EU regional funds blockage over fundamental rights charter
Respect for the EU charter of fundamental rights could be used to withhold EU money going to projects that trample over democracy or discriminate against gay and lesbian people, an EU official has said.
Hauliers count costs after first week of post-Brexit border regime
Hauliers are already counting the cost of the new post-Brexit border rules after the first week of life with the UK outside the EU’s single market saw truck queues, delays, and supply chain disruptions.
Berlin intends to boost the proportion of women in company management bodies
The German government presented on Wednesday (6 January) a bill that plans to introduce at least one woman into the governing bodies of German companies with more than three directors. EURACTIV France reports.
UK retailers face tariffs for re-exporting goods to EU, trade body says
More than 50 British retailers, including Tesco and Marks & Spencer, face potential tariffs for re-exporting goods to the European Union, their trade body said on Thursday (7 January), amid warnings this could make Britain less competitive.
EU nations divided on 5G security, auditors say
EU nations are 'progressing at different paces' in terms of security protocols introduced by the European Commission in order to ensure the safety of next-generation telecommunications networks, the European Court of Auditors has said.