Photo by Henrik Hansen on Unsplash The EU-Africa relationship offers great investment and trade opportunities, according to Europe’s business community. But they also warn that stronger and more targeted action is needed from policymakers is needed to overcome existing hurdles. Although the EU remains the top trading partner for African countries, with an estimated €467.2…
Business
New Factory Aims to Boost Europe’s Strategic Autonomy
Photo by Kevin Ache on Unsplash Europe’s largest rare-earth magnet factory has opened in Narva, Estonia. The EU funded factory will produce rare-earth permanent magnets to be used in key economic sectors, for example in electric vehicles, wind turbines and microelectronics. As more than 90% of magnets currently imported in the EU come from China,…
Pressure for Sanctions on Russian Titanium
Photo by Sergei A on Unsplash Calls are intensifying for the US, UK and EU to extend sanctions to Russia’s titanium industry, as Western policymakers face renewed scrutiny over lingering gaps in their response to Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite sweeping restrictions on Russian hydrocarbons and other commodities since the invasion in 2022, titanium,…
MEPs in Warning to EU Over Online Ads Market
Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash MEPs have warned the European Commission not to yield to the threats and to enforce the digital acquis as intended. As reported in the media, the European Commission reportedly pulled back a fine for Alphabet (Google) over the misuse of its powerful position in the online advertisement…
EU Tariff Cuts Proposed for US Trade Deal
Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash The European Commission has put forward two proposals paving the way for the implementation of the EU-US Joint Statement. These steps, says the EU, contribute to restoring stability and predictability in EU-US trade and investment relations, “to the benefit of business, workers and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.” The…
Harnessing the Resources of the Sea
Photo by samsommer on Unsplash The European Union has announced a major new investment, one which promises to make waves. It says it will plough some €116 million in 13 new projects aimed at restoring the health of the ocean and waters. The projects, selected under the EU Mission Ocean and Waters calls, will focus on a range…
Activists Accuse Business of Causing Wildfires
Climáximo, the Portuguese climate justice collective have accused cellulose and fossil fuel companies of being responsible for the recent spate of wild fires, and have held protests in support of all the people currently fighting the flames with their hands and bodies. Climáximo supporters pasted images of the fires that are ravaging the north…
EU-US Trade Negotiations
Photo by specphotops on Unsplash Publication of the EU-US joint statement o trade brings much needed clarity for businesses, but this should not be the end result. So says Europe’s business community in response to the keenly awaited statement from the EU and US. This establishes a framework for what the EU calls a fair,…
Campaign Group Concern over Animal Welfare
Photo by Jorge Maya on Unsplash Campaigners say the European Union must support farmers meet the “highest” animal welfare standards. Compassion in World Farming’s demand is in response to the Commission’s recent proposals for the next EU budget and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The animal welfare and environmental NGO expressed regret the EU budget fails to…
Shake-Up for EU Passenger Rights
Photo by Mike van den Bos on Unsplash MEPs are pushing for radical and far-reaching changes to passenger rights throughout the EU. They have called for a common reimbursement form, no charge for selecting a child seat, free on-board personal item and small hand luggage and better protection for what are called multimodal journeys. The changes are…










