Industrial Policy
France and Germany prepare plan to create European champions
Following the rejection of the Alstom-Siemens merger, France and Germany are working on a review of the EU’s competition rules to create European champions capable of competing with US and Chinese multinationals.
Europe: An industrial society of the future
The responsibility for pursuing long-term sustainable goals falls upon those in the wider community who can stake a claim in the climate debate. One such player is Europe’s tech industry, who made their intentions clear during last week’s Industy Day’s conference in Brussels.
Six takeaways from Siemens-Alstom rejection
The European Commission decided on Wednesday (6 February) to block the merger of Siemens and Alstom, meant to create a European champion in the railway sector, due to the negative impact it would have on the European market and consumers.
EU’s future global industry leadership
Addressing the Industry Days conference on Tuesday (5 February), European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker highlighted the importance of ensuring that the EU stays at the forefront of developments in economy and society, if it is to lead the way in the global industrial marketplace.
A future vision for EU industry
As part of his 2017 State of the Union address, European Commission President Juncker stood before the European Parliament and introduced a new Industrial Policy Strategy. His aim, he said, was to help the EU's industries become "world leaders in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation."
Industry first: CECE calls for making Industrial Policy a political priority
CECE calls on all candidates in the European elections to push for a European Commission mandate that puts Industrial Policy as a priority in their political agenda.
Italy’s Salvini attacks France, Germany over shipbuilding intervention
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini attacked France and Germany on Tuesday (8 January) over their role in a European Union investigation into a planned merger involving Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
19 EU countries call for new antitrust rules to create ‘European champions’
A total of 19 EU governments have proposed updating the EU’s antitrust rules in order to facilitate the emergence of European industrial giants able to face “fierce competition” from the US and China.
German industry expert: ‘No one will be bypassed by digitisation’
Digitisation has become a fix point in the public debate as significant effects on the economy and the working world are expected. Are Germany and the EU well prepared? EURACTIV Germany spoke to Iris Plöger.
France, Germany push EU funding for tech start-ups
France and Germany are pushing for an EU-wide initiative to fund innovation and research in tech start-up projects across the bloc so that Europe can compete more effectively against the likes of China and the United States.
Tech industry and consumer watchdogs at odds over robot liability
Tech industry groups and consumer watchdogs are at odds over whether the European Commission should overhaul the bloc’s legislation on product liability to cover robots and artificial intelligence.
‘Juncker plan’ mobilises €284 billion in investment
The EU’s investment fund set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis has mobilised €284 billion to date, mostly in private capital, surpassing the halfway point of its 2020 target.
EU considering taking China to WTO over IP practices
The European Commission is “closely examining” the option of filing complaints against China before the World Trade Organization for their rules and practices on intellectual property, a spokesperson told EURACTIV on Wednesday (4 April).
The plastic heart of Europe’s industrial renaissance: The role of fluoropolymers in revitalising the EU’s key industry sectors
In light of the increasing global competition across all markets there is a broad consensus between the Council, the European Commission and EU Member States that one of the key priorities for the future is to revitalise Europe’s industry sectors to generate growth and prosperity. VideoPromoted content
Time to implement a forward-looking EU industrial strategy
As the second annual EU Industry Day approaches on 22 and 23 February, industry representatives are calling for action on an ambitious, forward-looking EU industrial strategy.
EU bank approves financing for ‘Europe’s largest battery factory’
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved €52.5 million in financing for Swedish battery cell manufacturer Northvolt, a bank executive said on Monday (12 February), part of a European Union push to compete with Asian and US manufacturers.
More space for more Europe
2018 will be a crucial year to shape a stimulating new narrative for EU space policy. Jean-Loic Galle lists a couple of key points ahead of the 10th EU space policy conference taking place in Brussels on 23 and 24 January.
Circular economy success needs more than ambitious policies
Voluntary agreements are hardly a new concept but industry action on this front can drive real progress, particularly when it comes to the circular economy, writes MEP Martina Dlabajová.
EU cybersecurity chief: Now is the time to discuss liability
There needs to be more discussion about liability for cybersecurity attacks, Steve Purser, director of operators at the EU cybersecurity agency ENISA, told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
European battery alliance launched in Brussels
The European Commission hosted auto, chemical and engineering executives in Brussels yesterday (11 October) to develop battery manufacturing in the EU to compete with Asian and US manufacturers.
Cross-border mobility of companies: ‘Real seat’ vs ‘incorporation’
EU member states have adopted contrasting approaches to the cross-border mobility of companies, with some insisting on “real” economic activity and others happy to consider the legally-registered office instead. How the EU eventually decides could have important implications, writes Corrado Malberti.
Bieńkowska: ‘What we want from Volkswagen is a different approach’
The car sector is keeping EU Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska busy. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, the Polish official spoke frankly about carmaker responsibility following the Dieselgate scandal, how to deal with Uber and how Brussels-Warsaw relations might not improve.
Alstom, Siemens merge to create new European rail champion
The maker of France's TGV trains announced Tuesday (26 September) a "merger of equals" with German industrial leader Siemens in a giant and politically tricky deal to create a new European rail champion.