This year, the EU celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Single Market – one of the major achievements of European integration, and one of its key drivers. Established on 1 January 1993, the European Single Market allows goods, services, people and capital to move around the EU freely, making life easier for people and opening up new opportunities […]
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Game on! Extra-EU toy imports totalled €7.1 billion
When embarking on the hunt for the perfect presents to delight children, toys are surely at the top of the list. The EU is a net importer of toys from the rest of the world, with €7.1 billion worth of toys imported from extra-EU countries in 2021. Extra-EU exports totalled around a third of this (€2.4 billion). China main toy importer to the EU China […]
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Croatia joins the Euro and Schengen areas
On 1 January 2023 Croatia adopted the euro as its currency and fully joined the Schengen area. This marks an important milestone in the history of Croatia, of the euro and Schengen areas and of the EU as a whole. It follows a period of intensive preparation and substantial efforts by Croatia to meet all […]
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EU wins in WTO appeal about Colombian anti-dumping duties on frozen fries
Arbitrators have in substance ruled in favour of the EU in the first WTO appeal dealt with under the ‘Multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement’, known as the ‘MPIA’. The final and binding award confirms that the anti-dumping duties imposed by Colombia on frozen fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands breach World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and […]
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Council approves reinforced rules on granting trade preferences to developing countries
EU member states’ ambassadors today agreed the Council’s negotiating mandate on the revised Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) regulation that grants trade preferences to developing countries. The new framework maintains the main features of the current system, but includes some improvements, such as stronger links to respect for human rights and the environment, and a better monitoring and transparency of […]
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EIB lends €120 million to Cosentino Group to support its sustainability and circular economy strategy
The EIB will provide a €120 million loan to Cosentino Group, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative and sustainable surfaces. With the support of the EU bank, the multinational company will finance its innovation and sustainability strategy, focusing on key areas such as the circular economy, decarbonisation, energy efficiency and the use […]
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Antitrust: Commission accepts commitments by Amazon
The European Commission has made commitments offered by Amazon legally binding under EU antitrust rules. Amazon’s commitments address the Commission’s competition concerns over Amazon’s use of non-public marketplace seller data and over a possible bias in granting to sellers access to its Buy Box and its Prime programme. The Commission’s concerns In July 2019, the […]
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REACT-EU: €1.8 billion to boost employment, healthcare and social inclusion in Spain
Spain will receive an additional €1.8 billion under REACT-EU to boost employment, healthcare and social inclusion. The funds will help maintain employment through short-time work measures, and support workers and jobseekers in acquiring the skills needed for a more digital and green economy. The funds will also reinforce the healthcare sector and support Spain’s economic recovery from […]
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Commission allocates €186 million to promote sustainable and high quality EU agri-food products
The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million in 2023 to fund promotion activities for sustainable and high quality EU agri-food products in the EU and worldwide. The 2023 promotion policy work programme adopted by the Commission contributes to the realisation of the political priorities of the European Commission for 2019-2024, in particular the Farm to Fork strategy. The promotion […]
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