Press releases
SME internationalisation
EU SMEs need to make better use of EU trade agreements
Today, 600 participants of the EU’s 2018 SME Assembly meet in Graz under the Austrian Presidency to support small and medium-sized businesses to make better use of the increasing number of EU fr...
Bilateral relations
BusinessEurope welcomes positive step towards orderly Brexit
Today’s decision from President Donald Tusk to schedule a meeting of the European Council on the 25 November opens the way for an orderly exit of the UK from the EU.
BusinessEurope President Pi...
Digital economy
Making the free flow of data a reality
Today, Council voted in support of the EU regulation on the free flow of non-personal data in the EU. This is the last step in making this regulation a law which will enter into force by the end of ne...
Bilateral relations
EU-US after midterm elections: business expects transatlantic solutions
Now that the US midterm elections have taken place, the EU and the US must concentrate all efforts on solving critical problems in their transatlantic relationship, especially in trade-related policy...
Economy and finance
Escalating global trade tensions and skills shortages a risk for EU economy
- Economic Outlook Autumn 2018 -
The danger of an escalating trade war is seen as a key risk for economic growth by BusinessEurope’s members. It could reduce global GDP by almost one percent in 2...
Energy and environment
EU’s single-use plastics waste should be a shared responsibility
Tomorrow’s vote in the European Parliament on single-use plastics waste will be an important decision for European industry. BusinessEurope believes it is essential that the EU takes actions to add...
ASEAN
Gattaz: We should better connect Asia and Europe, based on rules
Today, business and government leaders from Asia and Europe gathered in Brussels to participate in the 16th Asia-Europe Business Forum and published conclusions on deepening and expanding the Asia-Eur...
European Council
October Council should not become a lost chance for a Brexit deal
In spite of intense discussions ahead of the October European Council both sides have still to find common ground on the withdrawal agreement that also includes transition.
BusinessEurope President...
Companies treasure Europe’s key foundations and values
On the initiative of its new President, Pierre Gattaz, BusinessEurope has gathered its members for a seminar in Paris on 9 and 10 October to define their expectations on the evolution of the further c...
Climate change
IPCC report confirms urgent need for global action
Reacting to the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz stated:
“We welcome this report and see it as a key scientific input in view of COP24 in Katowice.&n...
Multilateral / WTO
Reforming the WTO: this is a now or never moment
WTO members should find the necessary will and flexibility to lead the organisation out of the current crisis
BusinessEurope is a vocal supporter of multilateral trade and the World Trade Organisatio...
Digital economy
European Parliament advances fight against Europe’s cyberthreats
EU should authorise companies to self-certify medium risk level products
Yesterday the European Parliament’s plenary supported opening negotiations with the Council on the Cybersecurity Act. Th...
EU single market
Goods package: EU law should be better enforced to protect consumers and companies
Yesterday, the European Parliament Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee voted on several legislative proposals to improve the functioning of the EU Single Market
aimed at better...
Bilateral relations
EU-US trade relations: reason has prevailed
Reacting to the results of the agreement reached between Presidents Juncker and Trump yesterday to work towards a trade agreement with zero tariff and non-tariff barriers and zero subsidies for non-au...
Bilateral relations
EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement is a milestone in international trade
Speedy ratification is essential
Today, the EU and Japan will sign the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, four years after the launch of the negotiations. This ambitious and comprehensive free...
Bilateral relations
EU and China need to advance talks on investment, overcapacity to benefit both economies
Today European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meet on the occasion of the EU-China Summit, taking place in Beijing, Chi...
Data protection
Europe should counter cybersecurity threats now
Today, the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee agreed its position on the Cybersecurity Act and signalled its intention to proceed towards opening up negotiations with...
Bilateral relations
New BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz: EU to retain leadership in times of trade protectionism
Today, Pierre Gattaz has taken office as President of BusinessEurope. CEO of Radiall and former President of the French business and employer federation Medef, he is succeeding Emma Marcegaglia. Two o...
EU single market
A bumpy road for EU mobility and road transport drivers
Today the European Parliament voted on the first EU mobility package and did not support the exclusion of international transport operations (transit, bi-lateral and cross-trade) from the posting of w...
European Council
EU Summit should act against protectionism and strengthen the EU
Ahead of the June EU Summit, European business supports EU leaders in their actions against protectionism. Europe must be united, strong and smart to respond to the current challenges.
EU growth is...
Bilateral relations
Union and business leaders issue joint appeal for urgent progress in Brexit negotiations
The TUC, CBI, ETUC and BusinessEurope met for the first time in London, ahead of June’s European Council meeting
Leaders call for agreement on key issues, including regulatory alignment, fricti...
Economy and finance
EU growth at risk of peaking
Launching BusinessEurope’s Spring 2018 Economic Outlook today, BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia commented: “After a very strong 2017, businesses are increasingly concerned that growth i...
Industrial relations and EU labour law
Employment and Social Affairs Council: steps in the direction of a more realistic approach to social Europe
On 21 June, the Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO) reached a general approach on the draft directive on transparent and predictable working conditions and on the draft directive on work-lif...