Finance & Trade

German Employers Upset at Supply Chain Act

March 08, 2021

In a decision German employers decry as unfair, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Supply Chain Act obliges companies to take action against human rights violations at their foreign suppliers and will force large companies to pay fines of up to 2% of their annual global turnover if they violate the rules.
U.S. and EU Need Eachother as China Moves on AI

March 03, 2021

Politico reports that China’s move to dominate artificial intelligence and authoritarian behavior has politicians in the U.S. and EU deeply concerned, but the two powers must find a way to work together to counterbalance Beijing’s technological ambitions.
China’s Eastern Europe Strategy Takes a Hit

February 24, 2021

Politico reports that the “17+1” platform created by Beijing in 2012 to build ties with 17 Central and Eastern European countries took a hit when half of the 12 EU national leaders invited did not show.
Johnson: EU ‘undermined’ Northern Ireland Protocol

February 03, 2021

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused Brussels of having "undermined" the Northern Ireland protocol following the move by the European Commission to invoke Article 16 of the Protocol, triggering an emergency override provision in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement as part of efforts to control vaccine exports.
Politico: Europe’s China Deal May Cloud Transatlantic Relations

January 20, 2021

According to Politico, U.S. officials and European diplomats warn that the EU’s signing of an investment deal with Beijing dampens prospects for a much anticipated transatlantic alliance to regulate the digital realm.
Trade Deal Allows Chinese Staff to Work in EU for 3 Years

January 14, 2021

According to Politico, The EU-China investment agreement that Brussels agreed upon with Beijing, if ratified by the European Parliament, will make it easier to bring Chinese staff into the European Union, where they will be able to work for up to three years in subsidiaries of Chinese companies.
Lawfare: China and EU Finalize Investment Agreement

January 08, 2021

Lawfareblog.com examines the possible consequences should the European Parliament ratify a new agreement on direct investment between China and the European Union.
Council on Foreign Relations Explains the Brexit Deal

December 30, 2020

The United Kingdom and European Union finalized negotiations for the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement on Christmas Eve, respecting the major lines for both parties but still leaving much uncertainty to be addressed in the future.
EU Parliament and Council Reach Agreement on Budget

December 08, 2020

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have agreed on the 2021 Budget but will postpone the adoption pending the lifting of Hungary and Polands blockade of the Multi-annual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
Brexit: UK Prime Minister Johnson to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

December 08, 2020

BBC reports that, after a 90 minute phone conversation between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed to advance negotiations for Brexit, the two leaders plan to meet in order to move the process forward.