Press releases
Bilateral relations
EU-USA: It is time to work together – based on our shared values
Following the results of the US elections, Pierre Gattaz, President of BusinessEurope said: "We would like to send our sincere congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The tr...
Economy and finance
Rapid implementation of EU recovery instrument is key in enduring COVID crisis
Political leaders should avoid any premature unwinding of economic support
EU economic output might be 3% below pre-crisis level by end 2021
Falls in hours worked equivalent to 18 million full time...
Industrial relations and EU labour law
Proposed EU directive on minimum wages is a recipe for disaster
Today, the European Commission proposed a European directive on minimum wages and collective bargaining. This proposal goes against the majority view of EU Member States – many are in favour of a no...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: This is not the time to walk out, negotiations must continue
Following the latest developments in the EU-UK negotiations, the European business community insists that a deal is still possible if both sides remain at the table and committed to reaching a comprom...
Bilateral relations
EU trade agreements are key for jobs and economic recovery
36 million jobs based on exports - companies must make better use of free trade
Ahead of the European Commission publishing its report on the implementation of the EU free-trade deals, BusinessEurope...
Financing research and innovation
EU ministers made a decisive good step on research financing
Today, EU research ministers adopted the Council’s position on Horizon Europe, the next EU flagship programme for research and innovation.
Next to emergency financial support for millions of f...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: time is running out, a deal is needed urgently
There might not be enough time to conclude and ratify a deal in time
This week will be the last official round of negotiations currently foreseen between the EU and the U.K. Business is inc...
COVID-19 measures: A coordinated European approach is needed
Member States should coordinate their actions restricting free movement of people
Last week, the EU Competitiveness Council addressed the economic recovery amid the new stage of the non-r...
Climate change
2030 climate target must be aligned with strong EU industry strategy
Today, the European Commission revealed its new plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by at least 55% compared to 1990, substantially increasing its initial 40% target. The Commission also p...
Governance
HOW to build a better Europe?
Reacting to the first speech on the State of the Union by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, BusinessEurope welcomed her strong commitment to making Europe better, more competitive an...
Better regulation
Strategic Foresight Report key for evidence-based policy-making
Today, the European Commission adopted its first ever "Strategic Foresight Report: charting the course towards a more resilient Europe".
The Commission’s aim to identify emerging challenges and opp...
Trade
Protecting the EU economy against extraterritorial sanctions
The EU should strengthen its foreign economic diplomacy in the area of sanctions
Today, BusinessEurope published recommendations to strengthen the EU foreign economic diplomacy in the area of sanctio...
European Council
European business welcomes that deal was found in European Council
Following the agreement reached by the European Council on the EU recovery plan and the new long-term EU budget, BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: "The fact that the European Coun...
European Council
European business urges EU leaders to find an agreement
On this fourth day of negotiations to find agreement on the EU recovery plan and the new long-term EU budget, BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz reiterated his call to find a suitable co...
Data protection
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over international data transfers
Yesterday, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) invalidated the Privacy Shield, an international personal data transfer mechanism between the EU-US, while ruling on the landmark "Schrems...
Bilateral relations
EU and USA: how to build a positive agenda
European business proposal to enhance trade and economic cooperation
Today, BusinessEurope published its proposal on how to re-build a positive agenda for transatlantic relations. The proposal has be...
European Council
Gattaz to EU leaders: agreement on EU recovery stimulus urgently needed
On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July, EU leaders will meet in Brussels to negotiate the EU recovery plan and the new long-term EU budget aimed at boosting growth and employment after the COVID-...
EU single market
EU transport negotiations end with over-complex compromise
Single Market needs legal certainty, uniform application, enforcement
Yesterday, proposals on EU road transport legislation were adopted in the European Parliament after a long and bumpy ro...
Education, training and skills
EU youth employment and up-skilling is essential to transform Europe
Update of EU skills agenda must support industrial change
Today, the European Commission published a communication to update the EU skills agenda and issued a draft Council recommendation on vocation...
EU single market
Technological sovereignty: EU must resist inward-looking approach
Business needs strengthened EU capacities and measures against unfair practices
Today BusinessEurope published its position paper on "smart technological sovereignty". The concept of techno...
Data protection
The GDPR in review: a good start but improvement necessary
Today marks the European Commission’s first review of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) since its full application 2 years ago.
Markus J. Beyrer, Director General of BusinessEurope...
Bilateral relations
What trade can do for climate: More than carbon border adjustments
Amidst ongoing discussions on how the EU can better leverage its trade policy to achieve its climate policy objectives, today’s BusinessEurope publication "What trade can do for climate" aims to add...
EU social dialogue
EU social partners reach agreement on digitalisation
Today, the European Social Partners Framework Agreement on Digitalisation was signed by BusinessEurope, ETUC, CEEP and SMEunited to support the successful digital transformation of Europe’s economy...
Bilateral relations
EU needs fair and equal treatment of European companies in China
Substantial agreement on investment could support economic recovery
Today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will hold the 22nd EU-China Summit that w...