Finance & Trade

EU Court Rules in Starbucks' Favor

September 25, 2019

A European Union General Court has ruled that a deal between Starbucks and Dutch officials, which allowed Starbucks to pay less tax, does not amount to illegal state aid.
German Finance Minister Proposes EU Air Travel Ticket Tax

September 16, 2019

Although it was a proposed climate-change tax on fuel that triggered violent anti-government "yellow vest" demonstrations in France, to fight climate change, Germany's Finance Minister, Olaf Scholz, is proposing that governments introduce an EU ticket tax on flights and encourage more train travel.
European Environment Agency Warns of Climate Change Impacts on Crops and Cows

September 04, 2019

According to a new report published by the European Environment Agency, due to the impacts of climate change, crop and livestock production is projected to decrease or may have to be abandoned in parts of Europe's southern and Mediterranean regions.
Expert Calls for EU Development of "Trustworthy" AI Platform

August 22, 2019

Opining on the European Leadership Network website, Raluca Csernatoni explains how EU could play a significant role in "putting forward policy and research frameworks and initiatives for the responsible design and governance of AI in Europe and the world, thus potentially mitigating great power competition."
Russia and Iran Oppose Competing Trans-Caspian Pipeline

August 19, 2019

Citing “ecological concerns,” at a recent Caspian Economic Forum, Russian and Iranian delegates made clear their opposition to a proposed natural gas pipeline through the Caspian seabed.
Industry Group: EC Must Do More to Prepare for No-Deal Brexit

July 29, 2019

The Confederation of British Industry has warned that the European Commission (EC) is lagging behind the UK in preparing for a potential no-deal Brexit and is calling on the EC to supplement its currently minimal contingency measures to ensure British businesses will continue to have access to the EU market.
Australian PM Seeks Quick Trade Deal with Post-Brexit UK

July 26, 2019

Politico reports that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he is ready to strike a trade deal with the UK in a matter of weeks or months after Britain withdraws from the EU customs union.
EC Proposes Framework for Eurozone Budgetary Instrument

July 25, 2019

The European Commission (EC) has proposed a governance framework for a eurozone Budgetary Instrument for Convergence and Competitiveness that will set priorities for investments and reforms to promote the convergence of the economies within the currency area.
UK Peer: Irish "Backstop” Would Harm Good Friday Agreement

July 23, 2019

Lord David Trimble, who helped negotiate the 1998 Good Friday Agreement between the British and Irish governments, has argued that the potential separation of Northern Irish territory from the UK’s market under the Irish "backstop” provision of the current EU-UK Brexit deal would “wreck” the Good Friday Agreement.
Commission Offers New Options for Post-Brexit Irish Border

July 19, 2019

UK Member of Parliament Nicky Morgan describes how the final report of the Alternative Arrangements Commission, set up by the nongovernmental organization Prosperity UK, offers fresh options for the post-Brexit Irish border that can replace the controversial “backstop” provision in the current UK-EU deal.