European Commission

Meta may face daily fines over pay-or-consent model: European Commission

The move shows the Commission's continuing crackdown against Big Tech and its push to create a level playing field for smaller rivals despite US criticism about the bloc's rules

EU prepared for breakdown in US trade talks: European Commission prez

The European Commission president said at a press conference in the early hours of Friday that her team is still assessing the latest US tariff offer

G7 needs to raise pressure on Russia for ceasefire, says EC chief Leyen

With diplomacy at a standstill, the European Union is set to adopt a new sanctions package on Russia, but have so far failed to convince Trump - who has been reluctant to weigh on Putin

UK trade body urges continuation of duties on Indian PET plastic imports

The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings that a countervailing or anti-subsidy measure on the imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from India be maintained for a further five years. The proposal, published in a Statement of Essential Facts' this week, follows a review initiated in July last year which concluded that subsidised imports of PET are likely to recur if the measure was no longer applied and that injury to UK industry would also be likely to recur. The TRA also found that maintaining the measure is in the economic interest of the UK, a statement notes. Countervailing or anti-subsidy measures are the UK's one of three trade policy tools to counter imports which are causing or threatening injury to domestic industry, the other two being anti-dumping and safeguard measures. Countervailing or counteracting measures address imported goods which are being subsidised by foreign governments. The TRA found that while Indian imports of PET

EU warns fashion brand Shein over consumer law breach, threatens penalty

Shein faces EU warning over consumer law violations and potential fines, while its return to India sees poor response as app downloads drop sharply. Regulators highlight concerns over unsafe products

China urges EU to reconsider parcel levy amid Shein, Temu impact concerns

Brussels is considering a €2 handling fee on low-value parcels from outside the bloc, prompting Beijing to warn against measures that could hurt Chinese e-commerce exports

Ursula von der Leyen opens 1st strategic dialogue with EU defence industry

The meeting highlighted the crucial role of the defence sector, with President von der Leyen emphasising the urgent need for Europe's defence industry to operate at a greater scale and speed

Algorithmic management of work led to decline in job quality: ILO report

AM refers to the allocation, monitoring and evaluation of work tasks and workers' performance through extensive data collection, surveillance, real-time decision-making and metrics-driven evaluations

EU chief hails Trump's tariff pause, stays quiet on bloc's retaliatory plan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday welcomed President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily halt most US tariffs, but she did not say whether the European Union intends to press ahead with its own retaliatory measures. I have authorised a 90 day PAUSE, Trump said, after recognising the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs. Countries subject to the pause will now be tariffed at 10%. The EU's rate was 20%, but it was not entirely clear how the 27-nation bloc would be impacted. China was not included. Trump further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%. Von der Leyen described the halt on reciprocal tariffs as an important step towards stabilising the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Before Trump's announcement on Wednesday, EU member countries voted to approve retaliatory tariffs on $2

Apple set to avoid EU fine after changes to iPhone browser options

The EU decision will come amid tensions with US President Donald Trump who has threatened to slap tariffs against countries that levy fines against US companies

Countermeasures to Trump's tariffs will go into effect on April 1, says EU

The European Union on Wednesday announced retaliatory trade action after the Trump administration officially increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25%, with duties on industrial and agricultural products that will go into effect April 1. As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros (USD 28 billion), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. The commission manages trade and commercial conflicts on behalf of the 27 member countries. We will always remain open to negotiation. We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs, von der Leyen said. The commission also said that steel and aluminum products would be hit in return, but also textiles, leather goods, home appliances, house tools plastics and wood. Agricultural products will also be impacted including

Amid US-Ukraine tensions, Starlink's European rival sees shares soar 500%

Eutelsat has the infrastructure to expand its role in Ukraine, whose troops rely on Starlink for internet connectivity to operate drones, secure messaging, and real-time coordination

EU leaders back new defence spending after Trump hints at self-reliance

European Union leaders on Thursday backed new defence spending plans aimed at freeing up billions of euros for the continent's security after the Trump administration signalled that Europe would have to fend for itself in future. Facing the prospect that the United States might cut them adrift, EU leaders held emergency talks in Brussels to explore new ways to beef up their own security and ensure that Ukraine will still be protected. The 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their military spending. They also urged the European Commission to seek new ways to facilitate significant defence spending at national level in all Member States, a statement said. The EU's executive branch estimates that around 650 billion euros ($702 billion) could be freed up in this way. The leaders also took note of a commission offer of a loan package worth 150 billion euros ($162 billion) to buy new military equipment and invited EU ...

EU Commission proposes 800-billion-euro plan to boost defence capabilities

The 150 billion euros of new joint borrowing is to go towards building pan-European capability domains like air and missile defence

India, EU looking to seal FTA deal this year: EC Prez Von der Leyen

A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the largest deal of its kind anywhere in the world and both sides are looking at firming it up by this year, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday. In an address at a think-tank, the top leader of the 27-nation bloc also said that the EU is exploring a future security and defence pact with India in line with its partnerships with Japan and South Korea. Von der Leyen's comments came ahead of her wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This world is fraught with danger. But I believe this modern version of great power competition is an opportunity for Europe and India to reimagine their partnership," she said. "In many ways, the EU and India are uniquely placed to respond to this challenge together," she added. Von der Leyen said it is time to take the EU-India strategic partnership to next level. "This is not a time to place limits on our cooperation. Or to get stuck looking for ...

EU Commission prez, top Europe leadership to visit India from Feb 27-28

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen accompanied by the College of Commissioners will visit India next week, during which she is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU delegation said here on Friday. "The unprecedented visit, one of the first by the College of Commissioners early in the new mandate, highlights the strong momentum in EU-India relations," the Delegation of the European Union to India said in a statement. On February 27 and 28, President von der Leyen will visit New Delhi accompanied by the College of Commissioners, it said. "It follows President von der Leyen's announcement of a new strategic agenda with India to be presented this year at the EU-India Summit. The visit emphasises the importance of strengthening ties in key areas vital to the prosperity and security of both Europe and India," the statement said. During the visit, the College of Commissioners and the Indian government will hold a plenary ...

Trump's reciprocal tax plan sets off alarm bells amid global trade war buzz

The European Commission on Friday said the US's 'reciprocal' policy is a step in the wrong direction and will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade

EU to tighten checks on cheap products from sites like Temu, Shein

According to the Commission, 91 per cent of all ecommerce shipments into the EU valued under 150 euros last year came from China. In total 4.6 billion low-value shipments arrived in the EU last year

Piyush Goyal to travel to Brussels on Saturday for FTA talks with EU

Meeting to give 'political direction' to expedite India-EU FTA negotiations

Digital sovereignty, focus on data centres: Ten trends to watch in 2025

The year 2025 will also see corporations leveraging AI models to reduce their environmental footprint, more recourse to alternative funding sources for startups