All posts tagged: Single Market

We have other options – POLITICO

We have other options – POLITICO

Published by Sam

4. BTW, we are still into this globalization thing. At a time when Trump is touting trade tariffs and “America First,” von der Leyen’s speech seemed designed to send the opposite signal: We’re open to doing business with anyone. Von der Leyen addressed potential trading partners directly, saying: “If there are mutual benefits in sight, we are ready to engage with you.” Indeed, a key message from the speech was that Europe wants to diversify its trading relationships away from America.  While Trump is declaring an emergency on America’s southern border and gearing up for tariffs against Mexico, von der Leyen gave special mention to EU trade relations with Latin America. At a time when Trump is touting trade tariffs and “America First,” von der Leyen’s speech seemed designed to send the opposite signal. | Morry Gash/AFP via Getty Images And while acknowledging the economic threat from unfair Chinese trading practices, she also said Europe had to “engage constructively” with Beijing. 5. America? Who? Tellingly, von der Leyen spoke about Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, China …

EU shouldn’t leave newer members behind, Dombrovskis says on enlargement anniversary – POLITICO

EU shouldn’t leave newer members behind, Dombrovskis says on enlargement anniversary – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

“We are facing the green and digital transformation of our economies … and it’s very important that in this process we are not leaving countries and regions behind,” Dombrovskis said, speaking ahead of the celebrations of 20 years of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joining the EU. Wealthier European countries attempting to compete with American and Chinese subsidies risk tearing apart the single market’s level playing field, he added. “Not all countries have equal possibilities. Countries in the south and countries in the east will not be able to subsidize their companies as massively as Germany or France,” Dombrovskis said. He added that the EU should look at Union-wide funding instruments to protect that level playing field. “From my point of view, the more flexibility there is on state aid, the more flexibility there needs to be for redistributions through the EU budget,” Dombrovskis said. Speaking about the geopolitical impact of EU expansion, the Latvian commissioner said it had “made the EU a stronger, bigger global player. …

Springtime comes for Europe’s economy – POLITICO

Springtime comes for Europe’s economy – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Crucially, the bloc’s largest economy, Germany, recorded a return to growth, with its gross domestic product expanding by 0.2 percent after contracting in both of the previous two quarters. France’s GDP grew by the same amount, while Spain and Portugal recorded an impressive 0.7 percent growth each. Italy’s economy accelerated — up by 0.3 percent versus 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023. While monthly data suggest services have been largely responsible for the upturn, there have also been signs recently of a stabilization in industrial production, which had been battered by the surge in energy prices in 2022, has aided the recovery. German business confidence, as measured by the Ifo institute, has been rising all year. While that hasn’t yet resulted in a strong turnaround, the Czech Republic and Hungary, two countries whose manufacturing sectors are deeply integrated with Germany’s, both reported stronger-than-expected growth in the quarter on Tuesday. “This is not a flash-in-the-pan,” Unicredit analyst Andreas Rees wrote of the German figures. “In our view, the worst is finally behind us, as …

EU discord over Ukraine free trade spells trouble for Kyiv’s accession hopes – POLITICO

EU discord over Ukraine free trade spells trouble for Kyiv’s accession hopes – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Enlargement woes With Kyiv seeking closer ties with Brussels, the question remains as to how much the EU will have to change to accommodate Ukraine within its borders. Importantly, Ukraine would become the biggest beneficiary of the EU’s agricultural subsidies, if current rules apply — and that would only stoke the farmers’ fury further.  What’s happening now, “is more than foretaste. It’s the reality of how difficult it will be for Ukraine to be a member of the single market,” said one European diplomat, granted anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.  EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTION POLL OF POLLS For more polling data from across Europe visit POLITICO Poll of Polls. “[French President Emmanuel] Macron talks about sending boots on the ground, and now he’s afraid of Ukrainian eggs,” they added, referring to the push from the French leader for artillery shells and western boots in the war-torn country at the end of February.  It’s unlikely that things will get any less fraught once Ukraine moves closer to joining the bloc. “This will have an …

Building Europe’s Green Transition and Retirement Security  – Listed Real Estate’s Dual Role in Global Megatrends – POLITICO

Building Europe’s Green Transition and Retirement Security  – Listed Real Estate’s Dual Role in Global Megatrends – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

As we enter 2024, the world continues to confront financial and environmental challenges on a global and societal scale. Globally, efforts to meet the Paris Agreement’s objectives are falling behind, with the green transition’s investment levels not meeting the necessary targets. This was highlighted by the World Bank’s Senior Managing Director, at the recent EU Sustainable Investment Summit, where the critical need for accelerated private investment in sustainability was underscored. The Commission identified a 1.5 trillion euro annual funding need for the 2030s if the continent is to meet its objectives, and private capital will be key in reaching that number At the same time, financial concerns, particularly regarding retirement income security, are intensifying amid an ageing population, emerging as a major issue. During the last mandate, the Capital Markets Union (CMU) Action Plan has been a driving force behind numerous initiatives aimed at building an economy that benefits people by enhancing the flow of capital in the EU single market. These efforts have yet to trigger significant result on the ground, and the forthcoming …

Guiding the EU’s quest for economic competitiveness – POLITICO

Guiding the EU’s quest for economic competitiveness – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

Given the stakes, Brussels policy circles are now abuzz with recipes for economic competitiveness. But beneath the surface, these appear to be driven by opposing ideological views: On the one hand, there’s the established liberal view, which sees free trade and competition policy as key for competitiveness, while perhaps acknowledging that the need for economic security may justify a higher degree of public intervention than usual. On the other hand, there’s the interventionist view, which pushes the need to overcome the established model in order to face the brave new world of geoeconomic and industrial competition. This means, state control of strategic industrial sectors, watering down competition policy and using trade policy instruments — like tariffs and foreign direct investment restrictions — to protect Europe’s market. This new debate is thus deeper, more complicated and more divisive than in previous incarnations. Competitiveness needs to be reconciled with the new challenges of today’s world, including economic security, decarbonization, shrinking fiscal space and economic nationalism in China, the U.S. and other trading partners. And for Europe to …

‘Everyone is just so tired’ of Charles Michel – POLITICO

‘Everyone is just so tired’ of Charles Michel – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

And while his U-turn may have been unpopular, European leaders will now get to focus on the decision to support Ukraine rather than discussing succession plans, as Michel will stay on until the end of November instead of taking up his European Parliament seat in mid-July.  Those who defend him say there was little pressure anyway. Michel staying “doesn’t make a difference. He wasn’t leaving now anyway,” said a third diplomat. “Running for elections is what they [politicians] do.”  Still, Michel’s announcement earlier this month fired the firing gun on the European top jobs race. European capitals have now actively been thinking (if they weren’t already) about how to distribute the top jobs at the European Council, Commission, Parliament, and the EU’s diplomatic service after the European election in June.  Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen | Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images Mette Frederiksen, the current socialist prime minister of Denmark, is a name that continues to be floated around Brussels. For some, she is seen as too right-wing on migration, but that could be a …

Joint borrowing is dividing Europe from within – POLITICO

Joint borrowing is dividing Europe from within – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

contentonly Voiced by artificial intelligence. Eoin Drea is senior research officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies. The European Union’s €800 billion recovery instrument (also known as #NextGenerationEU) was supposed to represent an unprecedented joint response to the Covid-19 pandemic — a transformative moment of deepening EU integration and a first step toward a fuller economic and political union. Alas, these dreams — much like European solidarity with Ukraine — have quickly given way to more grubby political realities. True, as an exercise in soaring rhetoric, #NextGenEU continues to be an outstanding success. It has been touted as a “once in a lifetime chance to emerge stronger from the pandemic, transform our economies and societies, and design a Europe that works for everyone.” In the eyes of French President Emmanuel Macron, it is a vision of Europe meeting its “moment of truth,” and in the bombastic words of wannabe MEP (but also still technically) European Council President Charles Michel, “We did it. Europe is strong . . . Europe is united.” No pressure …

Sadiq Khan says UK ‘vow of silence’ on Brexit failings must end – POLITICO

Sadiq Khan says UK ‘vow of silence’ on Brexit failings must end – POLITICO

Published by skeptic

LONDON — Sadiq Khan will call for an end to British politicians’ “vow of silence” on the ill effects of leaving the EU as he tries to rally support ahead of this year’s London mayoral election. In a speech on Thursday evening, the incumbent Labour mayor of London will accuse the Conservative government of “trying to will Brexit into a success” and “simply ignoring its impact” on the capital. But while Khan’s remarks will explicitly call out the U.K. government’s own perceived failures, the intervention will also be seen as an attempt to distance the mayor from Labour’s own national leadership, which has presented itself as increasingly comfortable with life outside the European project. Under Keir Starmer, Labour has said it wants to “make Brexit work” and has ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market or customs union, as well as reintroducing free movement. However, Khan faces different electoral terrain to Starmer, with Remain-supporting London strongly in favor of membership of the bloc — unlike some areas of England’s north and midlands. A new first-past-the-post …

Nigel Farage tells Sadiq Khan to focus on his job ahead of new Brexit attack | Politics | News

Nigel Farage tells Sadiq Khan to focus on his job ahead of new Brexit attack | Politics | News

Published by skeptic

Nigel Farage has told Sadiq Khan to focus on the knife crime epidemic on the streets of London rather than re-opening the Brexit debate once again. The Mayor is set to unveil new anti-Brexit research and declare “Brexit isn’t working” in his speech at Mansion House today. Mr Khan, who has consistently opposed the outcome of the 2016 referendum, will also make the case for a “more open debate” about the downsides of leaving the EU. He will also spark a headache for Sir Keir, by floating the merits of rejoining the single market. Despite Labour’s attempt to close down claims they would drag Britain back into the EU’s orbit, as his party’s most senior elected politician Mr Khan’s words will be leapt on by critics. In words given in advance to the Financial Times, Mr Khan will say: ““Rather than politicians dodging or ducking this issue, it’s incumbent on all of us to have an honest and mature discussion about the best way forward. “Because the hardline version of Brexit we’ve ended up with …