The EU and the US held the third Ministerial Meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in College Park, Maryland. The TTC is a key forum to deepen transatlantic cooperation to facilitate trade and develop global standards on technology and security. Geostrategic challenges, including Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, have reinforced the […]
Read MoreCommission authorizes acquisition of Bluevia’s joint control by Telefonica, Predica and Vauban
Under the European Merger Regulation, the European Commission has authorized the acquisition of joint control of Bluevia Fibra S.L. (“Bluevia”) by Telefónica S.A., both based in Spain, Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A. (“Predica”) and Vauban Infrastructure Partners S.C.A. (“Vauban”), both based in France. Bluevia will operate and operate a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in rural […]
Read MoreParliament wants to clamp down on foreign public subsidies
Parliament is set to approve rules to counteract market-distorting foreign subsidies to companies operating in the EU. Government financing of enterprises has been on the rise worldwide, in particular because of China’s growing role in the global economy. Foreign subsidies can have a distortive effect on competitive markets. Parliament wants the European Commission to have […]
Read MoreCommission acts to promote transparency in the short-term rental sector to the benefit of all players
The Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation to enhance transparency in the field of short-term accommodation rentals and help public authorities ensure their balanced development as part of a sustainable tourism sector. While short-term accommodation bookings offer benefits for hosts and tourists, they can create concerns for certain local communities struggling, for instance, with […]
Read MoreEU exports under Free Trade Agreements surpass €1 trillion
EU trade deals mean increased exports, more stable economic relations and secure access to resources, a new report out today shows. EU exports to preferential partners for the first time surpassed €1 trillion in 2021, according to the Commission’s 2nd Annual Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Agreements. The Report also shows […]
Read MoreCryptocurrency dangers and the benefits of EU legislation
Why and how should the EU build crypto-regulation to foster innovation and protect users? The use of crypto-assets and the technology behind them has proven to be both immensely promising and problematic. The EU wants to help boost the development of these technologies and their use in the EU, while protecting users. Risks of crypto-assets […]
Read MoreEU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement turns 5
Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the provisional application of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). CETA is a central pillar of the political, trade and economic partnership between the EU and Canada. The agreement has helped boost EU trade with Canada and has provided the EU with a solid, trusted source of […]
Read MoreCommission helps resume trade in European pork and poultry to the Republic of Korea
As a result of intense high-level engagement between the European Commission and the Republic of Korea, EU countries can, as of today, export pork and poultry to the Republic of Korea more easily. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MAFRA) has decided to remove a longstanding trade barrier […]
Read MoreEU investment screening and export control rules effectively safeguard EU security
Foreign investment screening and export controls play a critical role in safeguarding European security and public order. This is the result of two reports adopted yesterday by the European Commission: the report on the screening of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and the report on the Export Controls Regulation. In 2021, the Commission analysed more than […]
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