Member News

Portolano Cavallo | Notes on the recently published evaluation of the Commission Notice on the definition of relevant market

This article is part of Portolano Cavallo’s “INFORM@Digital & IP” Newsletter. Click here to subscribe On July 12, 2021, the European Commission published a Staff Working Document (“SWD”) summarizing the result of the public consultation launched by the Commission on the revision of the 1997 Market Definition Notice (“Notice”). The public consultation was designed to assess whether the Market Definition Notice still serves its purpose in the modern European Union market and how the Notice has performed since its adoption. The consultation...

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Member News, New York Related News

Littler | New York Updates Its Model HERO Act Plan Regarding Face Covering Requirements

On September 23, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor updated its requirements for face coverings contained in its model airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan.  The update requires immediate review and possible revision of plans adopted pursuant to the New York Health and Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act. The key change in the revised model plan is the loosening of the face-covering requirements for employees in workplaces where all individuals on the premises are vaccinated.  In that circumstance, face coverings...

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Member News

GDLSK | USTR remarks on the administration’s new approach to the U.S.-China trade relationship – includes possibility of new 301 tariffs and exclusions

On October 4, 2021, USTR Katherine Tai spoke to the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the future of the U.S. trade relationship with China.  Highlights of Ambassador Tai’s comments follow: The U.S. will restart a targeted China 301 tariff exclusion process to mitigate the effects of certain Section 301 tariffs that have not generated any strategic benefits and raised costs on Americans. Such an exclusion process (a time frame for which has not yet been announced) would...

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Chapter News

IMF | How Investment Funds Can Drive the Green Transition

Sustainable investment funds need to be scaled up to support a successful transition to a green economy The transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions requires unprecedented change by companies and governments, as well as additional investment of as much as $20 trillion over the next two decades. Strong fiscal policies, complemented by a broad range of regulatory and financial policies, will be necessary to facilitate the green transition. The world’s $50 trillion investment fund industry, especially funds with a sustainability focus,...

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Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

EU-US Trade and Technology Council Inaugural Joint Statement

Section 1.  Pittsburgh Statement The EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) met for the first time in Pittsburgh on 29 September 2021. It was co-chaired by European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The European Union and the United States reaffirm the TTC's objectives to: coordinate approaches to key global technology, economic, and trade...

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Member News

Jaguar Freight | Are U.S. Ports Really Connected?

From out-of-touch U.S. ports, to trans-Atlantic bottlenecks, to guarding against supply chain cyberattacks, to power outages in China, to added air cargo capacity, we’re here to deliver the latest news in international shipping.  We’d be the first to say that data and information kept in silos is one of the biggest problems for supply chains. And, although the industry has made big improvements in this regard in the past few years, there’s still a lot of work to be done....

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Member News

BBGFX | October Monthly FX Outlook

The US dollar was driven higher in September by two main factors. The first was the anticipation of the Federal Reserve continuing to move toward tapering before the end of the year.  Investors have discounted one hike and part of a second one next year.  To be sure, the US is not leading the move away from maximum monetary stimulus.  Norway hiked rates last month, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand will likely do so this month.     Not...

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Chapter News

IMF | How Emerging European Economies Found a New Monetary Policy Tool

The purchase of government bonds by emerging market central banks may be reminiscent for some of the days of monetary financing of the government, which was often followed by rising inflation and currency depreciations. However, the successful actions by several central banks in emerging Europe to buy government bonds during the COVID-19 pandemic countered this history. Amid the financial market turmoil at the start of the pandemic, central banks in Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey rolled out asset...

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Chapter News

IMF | Crypto Boom Poses New Challenges to Financial Stability

As crypto assets take hold, regulators need to step up. Crypto assets offer a new world of opportunities: Quick and easy payments. Innovative financial services. Inclusive access to previously “unbanked” parts of the world. All are made possible by the crypto ecosystem. 'Consumer protection risks remain substantial given limited or inadequate disclosure and oversight.' But along with the opportunities come challenges and risks. The latest Global Financial Stability Report describes the risks posed by the crypto ecosystem and offers some policy options to help...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight | US-EU Trade and Technology Council breaths high-level commitments

On Wednesday, top EU and US officials attended the first meeting of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council, an effort designed to ensure that the West’s influence in technology and trade are maintained. The Representatives in attendance laid out plans to coordinate more closely on their response to emerging technologies and pressing trade threats. High-level commitments were made during the Council meeting to co-tackling burgeoning economic and security challenges. Challenges that include the regulation of artificial intelligence, easing of the semiconductor shortage...

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