Finance & Trade

EU Institutions Launch 100-Million-Euro Clean Energy Fund

June 05, 2019

The European Commission, European Investment Bank, and investor-led climate fund Breakthrough Energy Ventures have launched a 100-million-euro investment fund to “bring radically new clean energy technologies to the market” in an effort to reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions.
UK, Ireland Preserve Common Travel Area

May 30, 2019

The Irish Examiner reports that Britain and Ireland have signed a deal preserving the Common Travel Area providing for free movement of UK and Irish citizens and shared access to healthcare and education after Brexit.
Lawyer Explains Problems with EU-UK Customs Union

May 30, 2019

International trade lawyer Shanker Singham has warned that an EU-UK customs union after Brexit would mean Britain would no longer have a significant voice in its own trade policy.
US Ambassador Warns UK on EU Customs Union

May 30, 2019

US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson has warned that the agreement of a new customs union between the UK and EU after Brexit would complicate efforts to strike a UK-US free trade deal.
EP Requires ESG Disclosure for Pan-European Pension Fund

April 29, 2019

Paulina Pielichata reports that the European Parliament (EP) has clarified requirements for institutions that plan to sell the newly created pan-European pension product, including a mandate that such sellers disclose the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies of their funds.
EU Body Points to SDGs as Top Priority

April 26, 2019

The European Economic and Social Committee has adopted an opinion calling for EU institutions to pursue a “holistic and cross-sector policy” strategy in an effort to “become the global leader” in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lawmaker: UK, EU Can Solve Irish Border Impasse

April 24, 2019

Member of the UK Parliament and Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Nicky Morgan writes that the Irish “backstop” issue, which is at the heart of the conflict over the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement with the EU, is soluble if both sides can agree to no new physical infrastructure and to customs checks away from the border.
French Party Leader Supports EU-UK Talks on Customs Union

April 23, 2019

Politico reports that the lead candidate for the French President’s party for European elections, Nathalie Loiseau, has pointed to a post-Brexit EU-UK permanent customs union, limiting the UK’s ability to negotiate trade deals with other countries, as a compromise option the EU is prepared to discuss with UK negotiators.
UK Official: No-Deal Brexit Tariff Plan Complies with WTO Rules

April 23, 2019

The Guardian reports that UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove has argued that waiving tariffs on goods crossing the Irish border in case of a no-deal Brexit would be legal under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules due to the special nature and needs of the Good Friday Agreement.
UK Authorities: WTO Rules Protect Post-Brexit Energy Flows

April 23, 2019

According to Reuters, the UK’s National Grid has confirmed that electricity and gas flows between Europe and Britain would continue unabated under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules in case of a no-deal Brexit.