Transatlantic News

Transatlantic News
08
Jan
1 January 2026
Euro banknotes and coins start circulating in Bulgaria
Bulgarian National Bank joins Eurosystem
Bulgaria becomes 21st euro area member
Bulgarian National Bank now also full member of Single Supervisory Mechanism following period of close cooperation
The euro officially entered into circulation in Bulgaria today, bringing the number of European Union (EU) Member States using the single European currency to 21. This follows on from the formal decision made in July, which also announced the official conversion rate of 1.95583...
08
Jan
The 147 countries and jurisdictions working together within the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) have agreed on key elements of a package that charts a course forward for the co-ordinated operation of global minimum tax arrangements in the context of a digitalised and globalised economy.
Following months of intense negotiations, the comprehensive package for a “side by side” arrangement announced today represents a significant political and technical agreement which will set the foundation for stability and certainty...
18
Dec
The European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Central Bank (ECB), national central banks and national supervisory authorities across the European Economic Area have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and information sharing in support of non-bank payment service providers’ (PSPs) access to central bank-operated payment systems.
This multilateral agreement sets out clear principles for collaboration and harmonises the processes and procedures for the exchange of information between national supervisory authorities and national central banks in relation to non-bank PSPs’ participation in payment systems operated by central...
17
Dec
Tariffs and trade disruptions dominated headlines in 2025. European firms rely heavily on global trade – it represents about half of EU output. Despite that, European businesses are not radically overhauling their globalised approach. Instead, they are investing to make their supply chains more efficient and resilient.
US firms are a different story. While they rely less on global trade (it represents roughly one-quarter of output), new tariffs caused them to reduce imports and diversify the countries they import from....
16
Dec
Today, the European Commission and the High Representative presented a Joint Communication on strengthening Economic Security. It outlines concrete steps to reinforce the EU's strength and resilience in the face of growing external economic threats, while retaining our openness and commitment to international trade and investment.
The Joint Communication builds on the Economic Security Strategy of 2023 which set the overarching economic security objectives of promoting industrial strengths, protecting European interests and partnering with like-minded countries.
This Communication sets out the EU's strengthened approach to addressing risks, using all...
16
Dec
The Commission today presented the Automotive Package to support the sector's efforts in the transition to clean mobility. It sets an ambitious yet pragmatic policy framework to ensure 2050 climate neutrality and strategic independence while providing more flexibility to manufacturers. It also responds to calls by EU industry to simplify rules.
The automotive sector has been key to Europe's industrial strength for decades, sustaining millions of jobs and driving technological innovation. As the world is changing, the car industry is transforming through new technologies and...
12
Dec
Governing Council endorses recommendations of High-Level Task Force on Simplification, which include:
reducing the number of elements in the risk-weighted and leverage ratio framework
introducing a materially simpler prudential regime for smaller banks, which expands on the existing EU regime
introducing a European governance mechanism that takes a holistic view of the overall level of capital
finalising the savings and investment union – including completion of the banking union – to foster cross-border integration and allow for more efficient...
12
Dec
The Commission welcomes today's decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail.
Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the EU, the Commission and Member States have together acknowledged the need for an urgent solution, which will bridge the gap until the setting up of the EU Customs Data Hub in 2028, as part of the EU customs reform.
The Council and the Commission are working to enable the implementation of...
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