Member News

The Toy Association’s Pasierb Meets with EU Commissioner for Economic & Financial Affairs

The Toy Association joined an intimate dinner conversation on September 24, arranged by the European-American Chamber of Commerce New York featuring Pierre Moscovici, the European commissioner for economic & financial affairs, taxation & customs. Commissioner Moscovici provided insights about the achievements of the outgoing EU Commission and reflected on key priorities under the next mandate in terms of the Economic and Monetary Union deepening, fiscal policy, structural reforms, and corporate taxation.

The Toy Association’s president & chief executive, Steve Pasierb, attended as a representative of the U.S. toy community. “Given the importance of the EU market to toy companies, The Toy Association’s support and close collaboration with colleagues at Toy Industries of Europe (TIE), and uncertainty around outcomes of Brexit, it was important to hear about the direction and future priorities of the Commission,” he said. “I was also keenly interested in any pressures for further regulation that could impact the toy community.”

“A functioning relationship between Europe and the United States has never been more important,” said Yvonne Bendinger-Rothschild, executive director of the European-American Chamber of Commerce New York. “Together we make up the largest consumer market and together we can influence regulation to make sure that products adhere to a basic level of standards and are safe to use. Together we can develop reliable and responsible supply chains that elevate less fortunate populations to better living standards and turn them into customers of the future. Trade wars are disruptive and help neither businesses nor consumers. To build a better future, Europe and the U.S. need to set aside petty differences and work together to solve global problems. The world needs us as a team not as adversaries.”

Pasierb added: “Commissioner Moscovici commands a broad range of responsibilities and equally has a deep grasp on the key issues as well as the broader interests of the 28 EU member nations. The question if that number reduces to 27 with the exit of the UK continues to defy simple explanations, predictions, and timelines. Moscovici emphasized priorities of a more robust EU budget, advancing Green policies, addressing economic inequities among the populations of member nations, and overall growing the power and influence of the EU on the world stage.”

“Despite the set-back of a possible Brexit, the EU is moving closer together than ever before and is ready to take a larger role on the international stage,” said Bedinger-Rothschild. “The investment plan for Europe, harmonized taxation, and climate action along with a eurozone budget will back up these ambitions. This is not happening to compete with the U.S. but to be a better partner.”

Moscovici previously served in the European Parliament and in the French National Assembly. Before that, he served as France’s Minister for European Affairs (1997-2002) and Minister for the Economy and Finance (2012-2014). As commissioner, he is responsible for the application of the Stability and Growth Pact, ensuring economic soundness of commission proposals and deepening the Economic and Monetary Union to create the conditions for jobs, growth, and investment, and encouraging further structural reforms. On taxation, he is responsible for developing a value-added tax system at the EU level, improving the functioning of the internal market in both direct and indirect taxation, and fighting tax fraud/evasion. His responsibilities also include the development and management of an efficient EU customs union.

Compliments of The Toy Association, a member of the EACCNY