European Union
France's participation in the European Constitution referendum has ignited a contentious debate within the country, exposing deep-seated divisions in society. The outcome of the vote, scheduled for May 29, remains uncertain, but the effects on the French political landscape are already apparent. Both the center-right government of President
European Union
As the seventh year of a housing boom unfolds in Spain, the European Central Bank faces a daunting task in setting interest rates, balancing the needs of booming countries like Spain with economically weaker nations like Germany. The disparity between these two nations has created a conundrum for the bank,
European Union
As the European Union considers limiting its working week to 48 hours, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has voiced its opposition, citing concerns that such a move would harm economic growth, particularly in regions already lagging behind the US. IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato emphasized that the EU's
European Union
A German plea for gradual reform of the European Union's sugar subsidies system has put the spotlight on the divisive issue, which is set to pit heavyweight EU states against smaller, more vulnerable producers. The proposed reform, backed by Brussels, aims to cut subsidies and eliminate the current
European Union
France's Pascal Lamy, top candidate for the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has expressed surprise at the current EU-China dispute over the surge of textile imports from China. In a recent interview, Lamy noted that the WTO had long ago worked out principles governing both scrapping
European Union
As the French referendum on the European Union constitution draws near, EU leaders are choosing their words carefully to avoid upsetting French President Jacques Chirac. In response, the European Commission has put on hold sensitive decisions affecting France until after the May 29 poll. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has
European Union
Top trade negotiators from the US and European Union have agreed to continue talks to resolve the long-standing dispute over subsidies to rival aircraft-makers Boeing and Airbus. The agreement comes after a meeting between EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and new US Trade Representative Rob Portman. Despite a rocky start
European Union
The European Union was dealt a significant blow yesterday when a World Trade Organisation panel confirmed that its subsidised sugar policy is illegal, sparking intense debate over plans to reform support for sugar farmers. The ruling, made in response to a case brought by Brazil and Australia, has set off
European Union
The European Union is set to implement its sugar reform plan, announced in a recent press conference by EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson in Bangkok. The reforms, designed to bring the EU's sugar system in line with World Trade Organization rules, will proceed regardless of the WTO's
European Union
As Britain's Tony Blair gears up for a third election campaign, his former trusted advisor Peter Mandelson is stuck in Strasbourg, addressing routine European Parliament meetings. However, Mandelson's new role as European Union trade commissioner has proven challenging, with a bitter dispute between the EU and
European Union
Canada and the European Union have strengthened their trade relationship by agreeing to simplify rules for approving pork processing plants that export to each other's markets. This move is part of a broader effort to ease trade restrictions and accelerate the approval process for export of dairy and
European Union
The United States and European Union have missed a critical deadline to eliminate aircraft subsidies, leaving the future of billions of dollars in loans and tax breaks for top commercial airplane manufacturers uncertain. The two sides were unable to reach an agreement by April 11, despite efforts to negotiate, and
