As the Group of Seven prepares to meet in Biarritz, France on 24-26 August, BusinessEurope sends a strong message against trade tensions, in favour of free and open trade, supporting the critical role of the multilateral trading system. BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: “Businesses in Europe and the rest of the world already experience a negative impact of the escalation of trade tensions, especially between the U.S. and China and, lately, also between Japan and South Korea. The increasing tendency by some governments to use national security to pursue a protectionist agenda is also worrying. We urge the G7 to be open and constructive in their deliberations during the Biarritz Summit this weekend to rapidly and effectively ease tensions giving confidence to investors.”
Press release and Joint B7 Statement of 5 July 2019.

Business presents new tool to improve consumer information

Today the European business community presents its voluntary tool to inform consumers better when they’re shopping online. The aim is to help companies find good ways to present their information to consumers including standard terms and conditions. The tool was developed in the spirit of the ‘2018 New Deal for Consumers’, and agreed by the business organisations expert group. This initiative was facilitated by the European Commission, which today published its own guidance on the ‘Unfair contract terms’ directive to improve online shopping. The European business voluntary tool includes practical examples through a “Consumer Journey” – a graphic that helps businesses understand at which stage the information should be given and how it could look like in order to be easily understandable, including mandatory consumer information. Read more

Today, the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen as new President of the European Commission. BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: "The European business community congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on her election as President of the future European Commission. We look forward to working with her and the future Commissioners to build the innovative and entrepreneurial European society needed to strengthen our economy and shape the emerging new global order according to our common European values. Strong leadership will be needed to create the conditions to have healthy and profitable companies, encourage the development of people’s talents, and pursue competitiveness-friendly policies to preserve our planet." With its congratulation letter BusinessEurope has proposed 50 actions to be taken during the first 100 days in office of the future European Commission to start delivering a Europe with opportunities for all.