Katainen began his speech with condolences to the 15 April Boston Marathon bombing victims before delivering his 10 point address outlining his outlook on the European Union’s future. Katainen said he was worried about the growing attitudes of pessimism throughout the continent and believed EU discussion should highlight ways Europe can move forward. Respectful discussion, common values, and mutual adherence to the rules are the three main building blocks to a fair EU, Katainen said. The Finnish Prime Minister also said he didn’t understand why lines have been divided between northern and southern Europe, nor the populist and nationalist movements which have spread across the continent.Katainen said, “When we respect rules and the rule of law, we uphold democracy. This strengthens people’s ownership of European integration,” he added. He said his own moderate and integration-friendly country, Finland, could provide valuable contributions to discussions … [Read more...] about Finnish PM calls for a fairer European Union
European union
China, the largest exporter of high-tech products for the European Union
European Union imported, in 2017, EUR 357 billion worth of high-tech products, which represents 19 percent of total EU imports. Overall, the EU had a trade deficit in high-tech products of 61 billion within the top 20 trade partners. The largest deficit was with China, the biggest partner, totaling EUR 82 billion. Within the to-20 partners, the EU had a trade deficit with seven other countries: Vietnam, United States, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan, and a trade surplus with the remaining twelve: Mexico, Israel, Canada, Singapore, Norway, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. The trade deficit by product reveals the deficit is mainly in electronics communications (including smartphones), EUR 65 billion, and computer office machines, EUR 46 billion. In both cases most the trade deficit is with China. The product groups with the largest trade surpluses were aerospace (EUR 31 billion), pharmacy … [Read more...] about China, the largest exporter of high-tech products for the European Union
Merkel: Europe will push back if Trump administration does not permanently exempt the European Union from new import taxes
Mrs Merkel said in a statement on Sunday that she has spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May since returning from her Friday talks in Washington with US President Donald Trump. The three European leaders "agreed that the US ought not to take any trade measures against the European Union", which is "resolved to defend its interests within the multilateral trade framework". The chancellor's statement did not outline specific steps the 28-nation EU might take. The EU's temporary exemption from the tariffs expires on Tuesday. The tariffs are aimed primarily at overcapacity among state-backed firms in China that have flooded global markets with cheap steel. European leaders have argued their countries should not be held responsible for China's practices. Visits to the White House by President Macron and Mrs Merkel last week produced no immediate change in the expiration date. A Downing Street statement said Mrs May, Mrs Merkel and Mr Macron "pledged … [Read more...] about Merkel: Europe will push back if Trump administration does not permanently exempt the European Union from new import taxes
Barcelona star Messi scores victory in European Union trademark case
Football star Lionel Messi has won a court victory over the use of his name for sports and clothing equipment. The Argentina and Barcelona striker, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, had previously been prevented from using the brand “Messi” for sports and clothing equipment within the EU by a 2011 court decision. A Spanish cycling company called Massi had opposed his attempt to file his name as an EU trademark on the grounds that it could be confused with its brand. Read more: Ronaldo equals Messi tally by winning fifth Ballon d'Or A decision today by the General Court of the EU said that Messi was able to use his name because his fame would mean that it was very unlikely that people would confuse the two brands. “The football player’s fame counteracts the visual and phonetic similarities between his trade mark and the trade mark ‘MASSI’ belonging to a Spanish company,” it said. The court said that the earlier … [Read more...] about Barcelona star Messi scores victory in European Union trademark case
The European Union will be with the Armenian people
"The European Union takes note of the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. We support the efforts to achieve true dialogue for the comprehensive settlement of the current political crisis," the head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski told reporters on Tuesday during the visit to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in capital Yerevan to pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims. In the Ambassador's words, the European Union will support Armenia in deepening democracy and the rule of law, strengthening of independence of judiciary, fighting against corruption, protecting human rights. "The recent events showed these values are very important for ordinary Armenians, so the European Union will be with the Armenian people all the way," Piotr Switalski stressed. Asked to comment on the ratification of the Comprehensive & Enhanced Partnership Agreement CEPA) between the European Union and Armenia, the EU Ambassador said: "The European Union … [Read more...] about The European Union will be with the Armenian people