Press releases
Industrial relations and EU labour law
European business: Solid economic recovery is key for a social Europe
Porto Social Summit on implementation of European Pillar of Social Rights
Today, the Porto Social Summit was convened by the Portuguese Presidency and the European Commission in Portugal to discuss t...
Industrial policy
EU industrial strategy: a good step forward, tailor-made actions must follow
Today, the European Commission published its update of the “2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe’s recovery”. It aims at learning lessons from the COVID-19...
Trade
Foreign subsidies: EU should prevent market distortions
Today, the European Commission published its proposal for a regulation on foreign subsidies that distort the EU internal market. BusinessEurope supports the efforts of the Commission to ensure fair ma...
Bilateral relations
The European Union-Mercosur trade agreement: a cornerstone to foster sustainable development and economic growth – Business statement
BusinessEurope, the Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP) and the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI), with the support of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European...
Bilateral relations
Health and humanitarian crisis in India
Europe and India have strong historic and economic ties and a tradition of close cooperation and mutual support that dates back many centuries. The European business community is extremely concerned b...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: European Parliament ratification ends uncertainty for business
Today the European Parliament ratified the EU trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) with the United Kingdom, just a few days before the end of its provisional application. This finally brings clarity...
Climate change
CBAM: WTO compatibility and continuity of free allowances are essential
This week, the European Parliament will vote on a report on a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, in support of the EU's efforts to go climate-neutral by 2050 while preventing Europe's effort from bei...
Multilateral / WTO
Airbus-Boeing tariff suspension important step towards a solution
Today, the European Commission and the United States Trade Representative agreed to suspend for 4 months the tariffs currently applied to aircraft and non-aircraft products in relation to the WTO airc...
Industrial relations and EU labour law
EU Pillar of Social Rights: We need a trust-based social partnership
Today, the European Commission published its action plan to implement the European pillar of social rights, which includes a Commission recommendation on Effective Active Support to Employment – EAS...
Trade
EU’s trade policy review: Open markets the key to the EU’s resilience
Today, the European Commission published a Communication on the EU’s trade policy review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy.
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "T...
Multilateral / WTO
New WTO Director-General should bring fresh energy, optimism and trust
Tomorrow, the General Council of the World Trade Organisation will meet to consider the appointment of the new Director-General of the WTO, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria.
BusinessEurope Director...
Bilateral relations
EU and US business: work together on tariffs, data, tax, aircraft, China
Call on Biden, Harris, EU to support common transatlantic approach
Today, BusinessEurope and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce jointly called on the EU and the U.S. to redouble their efforts to rejuvenate...
Circular economy
EU a step closer to a functioning market of secondary raw materials
Today the Environment Committee of the European Parliament approved the New Circular Economy Action Plan report. European businesses are fully on board with the EU’s ambition to achieve a circular e...
Bilateral relations
EU-US: business looks forward to a new era of partnership
Today marks the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States of America. It should also mark a new era for transatlantic relations that hopefully will be more cooperative and l...
Trade
Better protecting the EU’s economic and financial interests
The European Commission communication on "Strengthening the EU’s economic and financial sovereignty" is an important step to kick off a broader debate on making Europe’s economic and financial sys...
Gattaz: Deepest regret about passing of former BusinessEurope Vice-President Hans de Boer
BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz expresses his deepest regret at the sudden decease of Mr Hans de Boer, former President of VNO-NCW and Vice-President of BusinessEurope: "Hans de Boer was a high...
Bilateral relations
EU-China deal can be important step to rebalance the relationship
Today the European Union and the People’s Republic of China announced the conclusion in principle of the negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). The agreement aims at increa...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: a deal is most welcome
Today the European Union and the United Kingdom concluded a long-awaited agreement that will govern their future relationship. As we are approaching the end of the transition period, both sides should...
Climate change
EU leaders agreement is oxygen for Europe’s economic recovery
Today’s agreement reached by the European Council and all EU Member States on the long-term EU budget (MFF 2021-2027) and the Next Generation EU recovery fund is a major step forward to support our...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK negotiations: a deal is needed now
Today, during a meeting of BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents, its member federations expressed great concern about the EU-UK negotiations.
BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: "The end...
Governance
European business to future Portuguese EU presidency: Supporting the recovery of companies protects workers
Today, BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents met virtually in Lisbon by videoconference at the invitation of Mr António Saraiva, President of the Confederation of Portuguese Business, CIP. ...
Bilateral relations
Business confederations call for ratification of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur
In a joint statement, the confederations of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay and BusinessEurope reiterate their full support for the completion of the agreement between the two trade blocs. ...
European Council
European social partners urge member states to endorse the agreement found on the recovery fund and long-term budget – Joint statement ahead of the European Council on 19 November 2020
Ahead of the video conference of the members of the European Council on 19 November 2020, the European social partners urge member states to endorse the agreement found on the European recov...
Economy and finance
EU agreement on long-term budget is a key step forward for Europe
Following today’s agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "T...