About: Subsidies

Chinese business group reacts to EU plan against state-backed foreign buyers

The European Commission's plan to fence off the EU's industrial crown jewels from state-backed foreign buyers may breach WTO rules, lobbying group the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said in its feedback on the proposal.

Croatian Presidency praises Kazakhstan for readiness to host ‘difficult’ WTO ministerial

The Croatian EU Presidency praised Kazakhstan on Monday (20 January) for its initiative to host a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at a time when the world trade body is facing a deep crisis.

EU plans for own retaliation in aircraft dispute with US

The EU has begun preparations to retaliate over Boeing subsidies, an EU official said on Tuesday (9 April), a day after Washington listed EU products it plans to hit with tariffs in their aircraft dispute.

US threatens EU with new tariffs over Airbus subsidies

The US on Monday (8 April) threatened to impose tariff counter-measures of up to $11.2 billion on a host of European products, including cheese and wine, in response to subsidies received by aircraft maker Airbus.

WTO requests final fix in EU-US aircraft subsidy war

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) released a final ruling on Thursday (28 March) saying the US and Boeing have complied with all but one subsidy complaint in a dispute with Europe over aircraft subsidies.

Member states support tougher stance toward China despite warnings

EU’s foreign affairs ministers expressed their “full support”on Monday (18 March) to the EU’s new stance toward China, described as “systemic rival”, as the bloc seeks to rebalance its economic and trade relationship with Beijing.

Britain can become ‘global leader’ in agricultural trade outside EU – study

Adopting a market-oriented agricultural policy after leaving the EU could make Britain a world leader in agricultural trade in the decade to come, according to a briefing published on Thursday (2 November) by leading UK think tank Chatham House.

Europe faces $10bn in retaliatory duties after WTO ruling in Airbus case

The US and Boeing declared victory after the Word Trade Organisation concluded yesterday (22 September) that subsidies for aircraft maker Airbus were illegal. However, the US said it was "ready to negotiate" before slapping retaliatory duties.

Commission wants aviation deals with growing markets by 2019

European Commission will start negotiating comprehensive aviation agreements with United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and countries from the Southeast Asia region, after member states gave the green light on Tuesday (6 June).

Georgieva urges Eastern Europe to contribute more to border security

Kristalina Georgieva has called upon Eastern European countries that are struggling to deal with the influx of refugees to increase their efforts to secure the EU's external borders. EURACTIV's partner Tagesspiegel reports.

Agricultural crisis: ‘Global markets are not the future’

Earlier this week, EU agricultural ministers discussed potential measures against price drops. However, there are many who think that these plans do not go far enough. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU makes slow progress on aviation deals with Gulf countries

EU member states have not even started discussing the mandate for the European Commission to negotiate agreements with fast-growing aviation countries in the Persian Gulf, despite a push from Brussels to get the green light by early spring.

Ignore the fear-mongers and grant China market economy status

Free trade has brought the EU peace, prosperity and advancement. We have nothing to fear from levelling the playing field for China, argues Diego Zuluaga.

Austria’s unwieldy subsidies system continues to cost the country

In 2014, Austria allocated €19.3 billion for direct and indirect subsidies. This ranked it second worldwide just behind France. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Commission mulls new measures against aviation subsidies from third countries

The issue of subsidies and “unfair pricing” in the aviation sector will be an “important” part of the upcoming talks with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, according to the latest draft of the aviation package seen by EURACTIV.

Angel Gurria: ‘Climate challenge should be seen as an opportunity’

Years of inaction on climate change have significantly held back the world’s economic growth, according to the secretary general of the OECD. But fossil fuel subsidies are still commonplace, Angel Gurría told EURACTIV partner La Tribune.

France ends coal subsidies for developing countries amid fears of COP 21 failure

France hopes its decision to end export credits for coal-fired power stations will breathe life into the sluggish international climate negotiations, which have all but ground to a halt in the EU. EURACTIV France reports. 

Energy Union needs clear, transparent rules and a change of mind-set

The completion of the Internal Energy Market can certainly be seen as one of the pillars of the Energy Union, but the closed markets of South-East Europe are a major obstacle, writes Kalina Trifonova.

UK moves to slash renewables subsidies

Britain’s government on Wednesday (22 July) moved to rein in the spiraling costs of renewable power subsidies which it said threatened to push up household bills.

France promises emergency aid to farmers

French President François Hollande on Tuesday (21 July) promised measures to help livestock and dairy farmers who have been protesting for weeks over what they say is a squeeze on their profits by retailers and food processors.

Eurofer boss: Europe’s steel industry needs modern trade defence instruments

The European steel industry is confronted with unfair competitors outside the EU, Axel Eggert, Director General of Eurofer, told EURACTIV Slovakia.

France may extend coal subsidies to save jobs

France may renege on its promise to end subsidies for coal-fired power stations abroad to protect jobs in the energy sector. EURACTIV France reports. 

Greenpeace, German utilities launch suit against UK nuclear plant

Greenpeace and nine German and Austrian utilities selling renewable energy said on Thursday (2 July) they are launching legal action against state aid for a new British nuclear power plant, which was approved by the European Commission.

Decarbonising Europe: Fossil fuel subsidies must go

The Commission is organising a huge conference on decarbonising European transport this week, but remains unwilling to discuss government support for fossil fuels, writes Wendel Trio.