The EU wants to update the existing rules for defective products to better protect consumers and keep up with the development of new technologies. The existing Product Liability Directive was adopted almost 40 years ago. In September 2022, the European Commission published a proposal to adapt the guidelines to address the technological advantages newer products may […]
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EU food prices: olive oil up 75% since January 2021
After substantial increases in 2022, food prices in the EU continued to rise also in 2023. Data for the second and third quarters of this year show that the prices of some items registered a slower increase. In September 2023, prices of eggs, butter and potatoes in the EU are higher than in January 2021 […]
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EU-Japan agreement on cross-border data flows
The EU and Japan have concluded, on the margins of the G7 Trade Ministerial in Osaka, a landmark deal to make doing business in the online world easier, less costly and more efficient. The agreement was concluded at the EU-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), co-chaired by European Commission Executive Vice-President, Valdis Dombrovskis, Japanese Minister of Economy, […]
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The European Commission clears the creation of a joint venture between Iberdrola and BP
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture between Iberdrola, S.A. of Spain and BP, p.l.c. of the United Kingdom. The operation mainly concerns the markets for the installation, operation and maintenance of a public network of electric vehicle charging stations with fast and ultra-fast charging speeds […]
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Competitive EU agri-food sector achieves high level of diversification in trade
The EU’s high level of trade diversification, showcased in a European Commission report published today, supports a competitive and resilient EU agri-food sector. Trading key commodities, such as food, with a wide array of partners minimises supply chain risks and vulnerabilities. In the case of agrifood products, it strengthens resilience by not creating unnecessary dependencies […]
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Commission launches investigation on subsidised electric cars from China
The European Commission has formally launched today an anti-subsidy investigation into the imports of battery electric vehicles (BEV) from China. The investigation will first determine whether BEV value chains in China benefit from illegal subsidisation and whether this subsidisation causes or threatens to cause economic injury to EU BEV producers. Should both prove true, the […]
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Anti-coercion instrument: the EU’s new weapon to protect trade
The anti-coercion instrument will be the EU’s new tool to fight economic threats and unfair trade restrictions by non-EU countries. Why does the EU need a new tool to tackle trade conflicts? Global trade can help to boost wealth and create jobs. However, sometimes countries resort to blackmail or trade restrictions to give their companies […]
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EU calls for greater market access and fair competition at EU-China High-Level Dialogue
European Commission Executive Vice-President, Valdis Dombrovskis, and Vice Premier of the State Council, He Lifeng, co-chaired today the 10th EU-China High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue (HED). The HED is the main platform for the EU and China to discuss economic and financial matters, as well as trade and investment cooperation. Specifically, the two sides discussed […]
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Green transition: new EU rules to protect consumers
The Council and the Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement on the directive to empower consumers for the green transition. The proposal aims at enhancing consumers’ rights by amending the unfair commercial practices directive (UCPD) and the consumer rights directive (CRD) and adapting them for the green transition. Today’s agreement maintains the main objectives […]
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