At the COP 25 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU bank, will be discussing how its new climate action roadmap and recent decision to phase out support for unabated fossil fuel energy projects can support European Union leadership on international climate action. The EIB delegation will engage with national governments, the private sector and civil society as well as fellow financial and European institutions to debate how more climate finance can be...

Read more

Downside risks to global and euro area economic growth have increased and continue to create financial stability challenges, according to the November 2019 Financial Stability Review (FSR) of the European Central Bank (ECB). Low interest rates should support economic activity in the euro area, but may also encourage excessive risk-taking by some non-bank financial institutions and highly leveraged non-financial corporations, and in some real estate markets. “While the low interest rate environment supports the overall economy, we also note an increase...

Read more

Ian Steff, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, Performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary of Global Markets and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, recently led the U.S. delegation to Berlin, Germany for the U.S.-Germany Informal Commercial Exchange (ICE). The talks were held with senior German officials to discuss ways to further strengthen the substantial U.S.-German economic ties and expand cooperation on the investment environment. The delegation was hosted by Dr. Eckhard...

Read more

The European Commission published today its proposal for an EU-US agreement on conformity assessment for industrial products, in line with its commitment to enhanced transparency in trade negotiations. A product exported between the two sides often has to undergo an assessment to demonstrate that it complies with the technical and safety requirements of the importing party, a so-called 'conformity assessment'. This often means additional costs for exporters, which is especially burdensome for smaller companies, who often decide not to export...

Read more