Photo by 1Click on Unsplash Most people familiar with EU affairs know the single market is a myth. Hailed as the bedrock of the European Union, it was never completed and is now crumbling, writes Giles Merritt Saving it is vital but difficult. The Commission has just announced a new single market strategy, although it…
Trade
New Sanctions on Russia and Belarus
Photo by MDSUMAR28 on Unsplash MEPs in Brussels have backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods. The move, taken in a vote on Thursday, seeks to reduce EU dependency on those imports. The parliamentary plenary has endorsed the EU Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products…
EU-UK Relations Open New Chapter Post-Brexit
Photo by Rocco Dipoppa on Unsplash MEPs have broadly welcomed a new set of agreements thrashed out at an EU/UK summit in London on Monday. The summit, attended by, among others, two EU leaders and the UK PM, aims to strike a re-set in post-Brexit relations between the two. It was attended by Sir Keir…
Belgian SME Commended on Anniversary
The Mayor of Waterloo in Belgium has praised a local SME for helping to boost the local economy. Florence Reuter was speaking at a special event to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of Caspian Tradition, based in Waterloo. From relatively humble beginnings, the business has grown to become a leading player in its…
MEPs Back New Measures Against Russia
Photo by Roger Starnes on Unsplash The EU parliament’s International Trade Committee has approved a 50% increase in tariffs on certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods to further reduce EU dependency. MEPs on Thursday backed a Commission proposal to increase EU tariffs by 50% on those agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that are still…
Hungary: Russia’s Back Door to Dodge Sanctions
Photo by Ivan Rohovchenko on Unsplash As the European Union maintains a unified stance on countering Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Hungary continues to chart a divergent course that increasingly aligns with Moscow’s interests. While Hungarian authorities insist on preserving pragmatic economic ties with Russia, the reality is more complex – and potentially more…
Trump’s Global Trade War
Photo by syahmi syahir on Unsplash The ongoing global trade war has created major uncertainty for businesses operating on both sides of the Atlantic, including the EU. One key area of Donald Trump’s trade policy is China and the question is: how will China respond to these policies and what will be the impact on…
Wine Intergroup Calls for Dialogue after Trump’s Tariffs
Photo by Klara Kulikova on Unsplash The EU should demonstrate unity in responding to Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs. So says the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Wine, Quality Foodstuff and Spirits after it analysed the consequences of the 20% tariffs. The new additional taxes will be applied to all EU products starting from April 9. During a…
EU Counter-Measures to Trump’s Tariffs
Photo by LSE Library on Unsplash The EU is set to announce a first package of counter-measures in response to President Trump’s announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, including the EU. The US is EU 5th most important trading partner, with total trade exceeding €9 billion. Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called…
Trump Squares up for a Fight with the Penguins
Photo by Tam Minton on Unsplash Outrage. Disbelief. Mockery. Pity. These are some of the emotions stirred by the announcement by Donald Trump with the imposition of tariffs on every country in the world except Russia and North Korea. It is not immediately clear why he has decided to exempt the two most hated dictatorships…