Finance & Trade

EP Requires ESG Disclosure for Pan-European Pension Fund

April 29, 2019

Paulina Pielichata reports that the European Parliament (EP) has clarified requirements for institutions that plan to sell the newly created pan-European pension product, including a mandate that such sellers disclose the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies of their funds.
EU Body Points to SDGs as Top Priority

April 26, 2019

The European Economic and Social Committee has adopted an opinion calling for EU institutions to pursue a “holistic and cross-sector policy” strategy in an effort to “become the global leader” in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lawmaker: UK, EU Can Solve Irish Border Impasse

April 24, 2019

Member of the UK Parliament and Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Nicky Morgan writes that the Irish “backstop” issue, which is at the heart of the conflict over the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement with the EU, is soluble if both sides can agree to no new physical infrastructure and to customs checks away from the border.
French Party Leader Supports EU-UK Talks on Customs Union

April 23, 2019

Politico reports that the lead candidate for the French President’s party for European elections, Nathalie Loiseau, has pointed to a post-Brexit EU-UK permanent customs union, limiting the UK’s ability to negotiate trade deals with other countries, as a compromise option the EU is prepared to discuss with UK negotiators.
UK Official: No-Deal Brexit Tariff Plan Complies with WTO Rules

April 23, 2019

The Guardian reports that UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove has argued that waiving tariffs on goods crossing the Irish border in case of a no-deal Brexit would be legal under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules due to the special nature and needs of the Good Friday Agreement.
UK Authorities: WTO Rules Protect Post-Brexit Energy Flows

April 23, 2019

According to Reuters, the UK’s National Grid has confirmed that electricity and gas flows between Europe and Britain would continue unabated under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules in case of a no-deal Brexit.
EU Institutions Agree to Bolster Authority of Financial Supervisors

April 22, 2019

In another step toward EU officials’ goal of forming a centrally governed Capital Markets Union, the European Parliament and EU governments have broadly agreed on the reinforcement of powers of the finance-focused European Supervisory Agencies that “keeps pace with further integration” of the eurozone.
UK, EU Bank Regulators Reach Post-Brexit Cooperation Deal

April 22, 2019

Highlighting continued cooperation between UK and EU regulators to limit the negative impacts of a no-deal Brexit, bank watchdogs in each jurisdiction have reached a deal on “uninterrupted information-sharing and supervisory cooperation” in the event Britain leaves the EU without a withdrawal deal.
UK Reaches Trade Deals with Iceland, Norway

April 22, 2019

Reuters reports that the UK government has reached an agreement with Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, to apply current rules to British trade in case of a no-deal Brexit.
EU Council Approves No-Deal Brexit Contingency Measures

April 22, 2019

The Council of the EU has approved legislation preparing for a potential “no-deal” Brexit scenario by, among other policies, providing for social-security rights of EU and UK citizens and uninterrupted transport between Britain and the Continent in case the UK leaves without a broad withdrawal agreement.