Finance & Trade

Cleppe: Barnier Is "Reckless" on Brexit Transition Terms

March 06, 2018

Pieter Cleppe of the think tank Open Europe argues that the recent position taken by the European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on the UK's rights during any post-Brexit transition period is "unreasonable and reckless," refusing Britain many of the rights enjoyed by countries, like Norway, that have ties to the EU without being a member.
Irish Leader Pushes for "Comprehensive" UK-EU Trade Deal

March 05, 2018

The Express reports that Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called for a "comprehensive free trade agreement" between the UK and EU as the best option for avoiding customs and security checks along the border between his country and Northern Ireland after Brexit.
EU Official: Future Trade Deals Will Include Climate Pledge

March 01, 2018

The Independent reports that European Commissioner for trade Cecilia Malmström has announced that the EU will require a binding reference to the 2015 UN Paris climate agreement in all future trade deals it signs with other jurisdictions.
EC Plans Global Application of Data Rules

February 15, 2018

David Schrieberg writes that the European Commission (EC) is planning to apply its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), coming into force in May this year, to foreign companies providing goods and services to citizens of EU member states and to ensure future trade and investment deals require compliance with the GDPR.
Howe: UK-EU Customs Union Would Be a "Disaster"

February 07, 2018

British barrister Martin Howe QC argues that a UK decision to remain in a customs union with the EU after Brexit would be a "political and economic disaster," requiring Britain to keep its rules and regulations governing the production of goods in line with those of the EU without having a say in the adoption of any new EU regulations.
Downing Street Source: UK Will Leave EU Customs Union

February 06, 2018

The Independent reports that a source speaking for British Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that the UK will "categorically" be leaving the EU customs union after Brexit, permitting the country to sign independent trade deals with other jurisdictions around the world.
EU Bodies Agree €873 in Clean Energy Finance

February 02, 2018

The Council of the EU has adopted a European Commission proposal to invest €873 million in "clean energy infrastructure" through the bloc's Connecting Europe Facility, with the ultimate aim of creating an interconnected and centralized EU Energy Union based on the global agenda on combating climate change.
Official: Britain Must Follow EU Customs Rules During "Transition"

January 30, 2018

Business Insider reports that the UK's Brexit Secretary David Davis has acknowledged that, under the terms of the post-Brexit transition deal his government is negotiating with the EU, Britain would remain a member of the EU Customs Union until the year 2021, meaning the country will not be able to implement trade deals with other jurisdictions before that time.
EU Convenes High-Level Group on Achieving SDGs

January 17, 2018

The European Commission's "high-level" platform of nongovernmental organizations, academics, businesses, and others formed to recommend the path toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the EU level assembled for the first time last week to discuss, among other things, how to "mainstream" the SDGs in the EU's financial strategy.
French Official Seeks Ambition in EU Banking Union Plans

January 17, 2018

Reuters reports that French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has called on EU leaders to finalize new steps toward completing the EU banking union, including by introducing new financial regulations and harmonizing tax rules across the eurozone, by the beginning of the year 2019.