Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

Transatlantic Trade Monitor: Facts You Need Now | Commission proposal to impose trade countermeasures against US obtains necessary support from EU Member States

Today, EU Member States have voted in favour of the European Commission's proposal to introduce trade countermeasures against the United States. The Commission's proposal was made in response to the March decision by the US to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from the EU. The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy. The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US,...

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Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

Transatlantic Trade Monitor: Facts You Need Now | Understanding the “Liberation Day” Tariffs

On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed a new Executive Order (the “Liberation Day EO”) implementing additional tariffs on almost all U.S. trading partners, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Citing a lack of reciprocity in the U.S.’s bilateral trade relationships, disparate tariff rates and non-tariff barriers assessed by U.S. trading partners, and concerns over U.S. trading partners’ economic policies, the Liberation Day EO assesses an additional 10 percent baseline ad valorem duty on nearly all imports as of April 5,...

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Chapter News

European Commission | EU sets course for Europe’s AI leadership with an ambitious AI Continent Action Plan

To become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) is the objective of the AI Continent Action Plan launched today. As set out by President von der Leyen at the AI Action Summit in February 2025 in Paris, this ambitious initiative is set to transform Europe's strong traditional industries and its exceptional talent pool into powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration. The race for leadership in AI is far from over. From cutting-edge foundation models to specialised AI applications, the AI landscape in...

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Chapter News

OECD | Simpler, more streamlined and smarter regulations are required to address evolving policy challenges

Governments should renew their efforts to better design, deliver, and review regulation and regulatory processes, according to a new OECD report.  The Regulatory Policy Outlook 2025 - the OECD’s flagship publication on drafting laws and regulations, their implementation and review - highlights the efforts governments are making to advance policy objectives while adapting to rapid technological change and evolving policy environments. It identifies opportunities to reduce unnecessary regulations, while ensuring regulatory frameworks are focused on better outcomes for people, and contribute to...

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Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

Transatlantic Trade Monitor: Facts You Need Now | Understanding European VAT: A Guide for US Folks

By Simon Kelly, Global VAT Services, RSM US LLP For many Americans, the concept of Value-Added Tax (VAT) might seem unfamiliar or confusing. However, understanding European VAT is essential if you are a U.S. business owner looking to expand into Europe, a traveler planning a European adventure, or someone simply curious about global economics. In the United States, sales tax is the predominant form of consumption tax, applied at the point of sale and varying by state and locality. In contrast,...

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Chapter News

ECB | Empowering Europe: boosting strategic autonomy through the digital euro

Introductory statement by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament It is a privilege to be here today to continue our discussion on the digital euro. There are many compelling arguments in favour of introducing a digital euro, and in my view they all converge on one fundamental principle: strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. Today I would like to discuss what strategic autonomy in day-to-day payments means in...

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Member News

Laura Devine Immigration | US News Alert: Protecting Your Digital Privacy When Entering the US

Since the start of the second Trump administration, Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s surveillance measures have increasingly extended to travellers’ electronic devices. The US government has the authority to search all electronic devices at the border, irrespective of your legal status in the country or whether they have any reason to suspect you have committed a crime. You can state that you do not consent to such a search, but this likely will not prevent CBP from taking and...

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Member News

EIB | Cities across Europe plan to bolster climate action and social infrastructure, EIB survey shows

Most EU cities plan more investments to fight global warming and expand public housing, schools and hospitals, new EIB survey shows. Of EU municipalities surveyed, 56% to spend more on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and 53% to boost budgets for social infrastructure over next three years. Cities across Europe increasingly want to tap new sources of financing for development on top of traditional national and EU grants. Most cities in Europe plan to spend more on fighting climate change...

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ECB | Worrying about war: geopolitical risks weigh on consumer sentiment

Blog post by Olivier Coibion, Dimitris Georgarakos, Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Geoff Kenny and Justus Meyer | Military and diplomatic conflicts harm economic growth. This ECB blog shows that the expected length of wars matters for how strongly they weigh on consumer sentiment. Geopolitical tensions not only distress financial markets, but they can also make consumers worry about their personal financial future and the economy at large. Data from the ECB’s Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) suggests both notable concerns about geopolitical tensions and signs of deteriorating...

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Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

Transatlantic Trade Monitor: Facts You Need Now | Truth or Dare – Trump Tariffs – Truth v. Fake News

By Frank Desiderio, Partner, and Arthur Bodek, Partner, Grunfeld Desiderio Lebowitz Silverman & Klestadt Even before all of the craziness that was kicked off on “Liberation Day”, GDLSK partners Frank Desiderio and Arthur Bodek were invited to give a presentation entitled “Truth or Dare – Trump Tariffs – Truth v. Fake News” to the Quebec General Delegation in New York on March 11, 2025.  We addressed the then current state of affairs as it related to: Brief History of Trade War Tariffs Review...

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