Page 3 - European Commission

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

Finland seizes Russian 'Shadow Fleet'-linked oil tanker over cable sabotage

Finland and European Union link undersea cable sabotages in the Baltic to Russian 'Shadow Fleet', announce sanctions

EU intensifies demand for Apple to open up iPhone features to rivals

The commission instructed Apple on Wednesday to rework the iOS operating system so that it's more compatible with smartwatches, earbuds, headsets and other devices from competitors

India-EU trade pact talks need political directions for meaningful deal

The proposed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the European Union (EU) need political directions to reach a commercially meaningful deal while understanding each other's sensitivities, an official statement said on Thursday. The pact came up for discussion during an interaction between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Ambassadors of the European Commission delegation. Goyal said that both sides are aiming for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial FTA. "The FTA negotiations, after 9 rounds of intense engagement, need political directions to arrive at a commercially meaningful deal while understanding the sensitivities of each other," the commerce and industry ministry said. The minister also noted that any sustainability discussions must appreciate the principle of 'Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR)' and implementation of such measures should take into account differing paths of development. These remarks

Google to tweak search results in Europe after rivals highlight low traffic

Under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), Google is prohibited from favouring its products and services on its platform

Amazon likely to face investigation under EU tech rules next year

The timing and decision on whether to go ahead with an investigation will be taken by incoming EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera in the coming months,

European Commission rejects minimum price offers from Chinese EV exporters

The Commission declined to give details of the offers, but said it had thoroughly reviewed them to see if they met World Trade Organization and EU anti-subsidy rules

China's commerce minister to visit Europe ahead of EV tariff vote

The announcement of Wang's Europe trip followed the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to China earlier this week where he unexpectedly said the EU should reconsider its position

Apple loses European Union top court fight over $14.4 bn Irish tax bill

"It's important to show European taxpayers that once in a while, tax justice can be done," Vestager told reporters in Brussels in response to questions on her Apple win

Ursula von der Leyen reelected to a second term as European Commission prez

The reelection ensures leadership continuity for the 27-nation bloc as it wrestles with crises ranging from the war in Ukraine to climate change, migration and housing shortages

European Commission President Leyen faces vote for second 5-year term bid

Ursula von der Leyen pledged to be a strong leader for Europe in a time of crisis and polarization as she made her final leadership pitch Thursday in a speech to lawmakers at the European Parliament ahead of a vote on whether to grant her a second five-year term as president of the European Union's executive commission. The secret ballot at the 720-seat parliament comes hot on the heels of strong gains by the far right in last month's election for the European Parliament. I will never let the extreme polarization of our societies become accepted. I will never accept that demagogues and extremists destroy our European way of life. And I stand here today ready to lead the fight with all the Democratic forces in this house, von der Leyen said. If a majority of the lawmakers reject her candidacy, it would leave leaders of the 27-nation bloc scrambling to find a replacement as Europe grapples with crises ranging from the war in Ukraine to climate change. In her speech to the parliament,

China unveils next steps in EU brandy probe as EV tariffs take effect

There is a four-month window during which the EV tariffs are provisional and intensive talks are expected to continue between the two sides as Beijing threatens wide-ranging retaliation

French senate calls for change to nuclear power price regulation

The Senate inquiry commission recommended replacing last November's agreement with 'real regulation' in the form of a CfD on the existing nuclear fleet

Europe holds breath for France polls; Macron's role in EU to get diluted

The big fear for the EU's traditional political mainstream is an outright RN victory, forcing Macron to 'co-habit' with a government hostile to his vision of European sovereignty

Xi Jinping greets EU Council president ahead of EV tariffs taking effect

EU trade policy has turned increasingly protective over concerns that China's production-focused development model could see it flooded with cheap goods