Economy & Jobs
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.
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.
Italy to spend 222 billion euros of EU funds to revive economy
Italy plans to spend more than €222 billion from various European Union funds to revive its coronavirus-battered economy, a draft government document seen by Reuters showed on Thursday (7 January).
US suspends French tariffs over digital services tax
The United States has indefinitely suspended 25% tariffs on French cosmetics, handbags and other imports it had planned in retaliation for a digital services tax Washington says will harm U.S. tech firms, as it investigates similar taxes elsewhere.
Portugal aims to seal EU-Mercosur trade agreement, progress on other deals
Portugal will try to conclude a free-trade agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur during its six-month EU presidency, and attempt to expand Europe's ties with other potential trade partners, the country's foreign minister said on Thursday (7 January).
France’s Brittany Ferries in dire straits due to double Brexit/COVID whammy
After Brexit and the global pandemic, a new variant of the coronavirus ravaging the UK has dealt a fresh blow to the emblematic French shipping company Brittany Ferries, which now hopes for help from the French government. EURACTIV France reports.
PSA and Fiat Chrysler close in on mega-merger
Shareholders gave their blessing on Monday (4 January) to a merger of carmakers PSA and Fiat Chrysler that catapults the new company "Stellantis" into fourth place globally, as the auto industry races to make the transition to cleaner cars.
Brexit ‘big bang’ to trigger tectonic trading rift in Europe
Europe will see its biggest transfer of share trading in more than two decades when stock exchanges open for business in 2021, with Brexit shifting its centre of gravity away from London.
Peugeot, Fiat merger to be sealed by shareholders
The shareholders of France's PSA and US-Italian rival Fiat Chrysler are expected to approve their merger on Monday (4 January), creating the world's fourth-biggest automaker by volume, Stellantis.