European Union
European Union officials have expressed optimism that concerns prompting an EU lawsuit in 1997 have been addressed, paving the way for a resolution to the ongoing trade dispute between the two economic giants. US President George W. Bush has signaled his readiness to sign a bill that would gradually phase
European Union
The US Senate has given final approval to a corporate tax break bill, offering around $137 billion in new tax breaks to businesses. The bill is intended to bring the US into compliance with a World Trade Organisation ruling by ending a tax subsidy known as the Foreign Sales Corporation
European Union
The United States has officially withdrawn from a 1992 agreement with the European Union on civil aircraft manufacturing, with the US Trade Representative, Robert Zoellick, announcing that the government will request a dispute settlement case in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address what it considers unfair subsidies provided to
European Union
The European Commission has expressed concerns about the impact of rising oil prices on the economy, with Commissioner Joaquin Almunia warning that high prices could lead to both growth and inflation issues. The current price of oil is above the September 2000 average, with a reported "risk premium"
European Union
EU Ministers are set to discuss significant revisions to the Working Time Directive, the Temporary Workers Directive, and equality laws, including equal pay and treatment for men and women in the supply of goods and services. The proposed changes seek to address issues such as company flexibility, equal pay, and
European Union
The European Union's proposed update to the working time rules has drawn strong opposition from both the business community and trade unionists, citing excessive constraints and the lack of harmonization. The draft directive aims to impose a maximum 48-hour workweek, but opt-outs and exemptions are likely to undermine
European Union
A meeting in Brussels on September 22 saw the European Union and the United States launch a joint effort to crack down on charities being used to fund terrorism. With international co-operation making it increasingly difficult for terrorists to use the banking system, they are turning to other means, including
European Union
The EU's 7,000 listed companies, including 3,000 from the UK, must comply with International Accounting Standards (IAS) from 1 January 2005, with the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) confident that market forces will drive adoption of a controversial banking standard. The vice-chairman of the IASB, Tom
European Union
The European Commission's Justice and Home Affairs Directorate General is drafting a comprehensive package of proposals aimed at shaping the EU's migration and asylum policies. These proposals, which are still in the early stages of development, are set to undergo significant changes in the coming months.
European Union
The European Union and Russia have resolved a long-standing trade dispute by agreeing on uniform exports certificates for live animals and animal products. Russia had blocked all EU meat exports on June 1, but the two parties have now agreed on a new system, allowing EU member-states to export to
European Union
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has dealt a significant blow to rich-nation farm aid, ruling that the European Union's sugar exports are illegal and ordering the United States to reduce its cotton subsidies. The rulings come as part of efforts by developing and food-exporting nations to push wealthy
European Union
The World Trade Organization has agreed to a European Union request for a panel of scientific experts to review a complaint filed by the United States, Canada, and Argentina against the EU's ad hoc moratorium on new biotech crop approvals. The dispute has been ongoing since last year,
