Time to sign?

SNEAK PEEK โ€” JD Vance lands in Paris as the U.K. tries to get on message.ย  โ€”ย Peter Kyle says an AI bill will avoid upsetting voluntary agreement with AI labs. โ€”ย The U.K.โ€™s own mini-summit kicks off in London. Good morning and happy Tuesday, This is Tom, coming to you from a cold press room in [โ€ฆ]

Virkkunen stands firm on American pushback against EU tech laws

SNEAK PEEK โ€” The EU plans to raise the American pushback against tech law with the U.S., said tech boss Henna Virkkunen. She also promised a more โ€œinnovation-friendlyโ€ AI regulatory framework. โ€” Rolling out AI should mean talking to workers and helping them gain new skills, said EESC president Oliver Rรถpke. Failing to get it [โ€ฆ]

Transport workers want โ€˜social stringsโ€™ on EUโ€™s competitiveness drive

“We want to have green growth, but you can’t have this huge transition in a super liberalised economy like the European economy,” the General Secretary of the European Transport Workers’ Federation told Euractiv.

As Trump torches overseas aid, will Britain step up?

Britain used to lead the world on international development. But in the era of right-wing populists, its Labour government is now treading carefully.

Britain ditches AI declaration, pitches for cash

SNEAK PEEK โ€” As the AI Action Summit kicks off, the U.K. is tempted against signing its main declaration. โ€” Peter Kyle takes his investment pitch to Paris. โ€” Back at home, thereโ€™s a backlash against the Home Office over encryption. Good Monday morning, This is Tom in Paris. You can get in touch with [โ€ฆ]

New ecodesign rules freeze out Europeโ€™s local space heaters

Proposed EU rules could see almost 100% of solid fuel local space heaters disappear from the European market, destroying European jobs, growth and competitiveness, warns CEFACD

The EUโ€™s new AI mantra: Weโ€™re open for business

The European Union has pivoted to cheering AI innovation, laying less emphasis on rules that curb potential threats.

โ€‹โ€‹Justin Trudeauโ€™s not the only Canadian pushing for a UK trade deal

Pierre Poilievre โ€” frontrunner to be the next Canadian PM โ€” is also on board with push to reboot stalled talks amid Trump’s trade war.

A Paris AI summit survival guide

POLITICO guides you through the essential events of this year’s Paris Artificial Intelligence Action Summit.

Bank of England cuts interest rates and lowers growth forecast

Double blow for Reeves as BoE cuts growth forecasts but raises its estimates for inflation.

Merkel โ€˜could not remain silentโ€™ as she jabs Merz again over far-right AfD vote

Former German leader reiterates swipe at chancellor candidate from her own Christian Democratic Union ahead of Feb. 23 election.

BoE prepares to cut rates as economic risks take precedence

The outlook has darkened since Rachel Reeves’ budget, and a relative degree of indulgence for the U.K. from Donald Trump isn’t enough to make it better.

Von der Leyen signals โ€˜extraordinaryโ€™ measure to boost EU defense spending

The move would offer national capitals more room to increase defense spending.

Has Brexit finally paid off? What Trumpโ€™s tariff reprieve means for Starmer

The U.S. president hinted heโ€™ll spare Britain from his trade war, while hammering the EU. But as Nigel Farage surges in the polls, Keir Starmer isnโ€™t safe from Brexit yet.

How Britain can escape Trumpโ€™s tariffs: Buy American gas

As the threat of a trade war looms, Britain hopes it has a few secret weapons.

Donald Trump says trade wars are easy to win. Are they?

The U.S. president’s tariff attack on Americaโ€™s closest allies is unprecedented. Economists say they wonโ€™t fix the U.S. trade deficit, restore jobs or raise much money. And people will get hurt.

Trump wants to tax the world

The U.S. president sees tariffs not just as a way to reverse trade deficits, but also as a means of reducing domestic income tax. He may find neither are likely to work according to plan.

Stocks tumble and dollar surges as Trump unleashes trade war

The U.S. currency surged across the board, while stock futures plunged on the first full day of trading since Trump slapped tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico.

Ribera defends green growth quest, simplification goals

“I think we are doing something that nobody has done before. Nobody has been able to achieve a different pattern of development and prosperity, and we know that we need to invest a lot in this because what it is at risk is terrifying.”
The post Ribera …

London snubs Brussels by putting Trump first on banking

Britain blindsided the European Union just before Trump took office by parking a host of banking reforms โ€” and directly pointing to uncertainty in the US.

Trump tariffs โ€˜an act of economic warfareโ€™ says Canadaโ€™s Chrystia Freeland

Chrystia Freeland said: โ€œThis action is utter madness.โ€ .

Trump finalizes tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, triggering likely trade war

The tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will be 25 percent.

Does Labour really think Trump is a better bet than the EU? | William Keegan

Rachel Reeves is all for growth; her party and the country needs it. But still we hear nothing about the most obvious solutionโ€ฆIn 1935, Sinclair Lewis wrote a satirical book, It Canโ€™t Happen Here, about a lying demagogue, Buzz Windrip, who rises to pow…

Scotland knows Brexit is holding Britain back. Why won’t Labour admit it? | John Swinney

Five years after we left the EU, people are still paying the price. Weโ€™re ready to work with Westminster to forge closer bonds with EuropeJohn Swinney is the first minister of ScotlandThe pantomime season may be over, but when it comes to the governmen…

UK politics: Philpโ€™s โ€˜patronisingโ€™ comment about Britonsโ€™ work ethic show Tories โ€˜out of touchโ€™, TUC says โ€“ as it happened

General secretary highlights โ€˜legacy of 14 years of falling living standards under the Toriesโ€™In an article for the Guardian, the Labour MP Clive Lewis said Rachel Reevesโ€™ growth speech this week means the party has abandoned its pre-election green com…

Europe should have grown up a long time ago โ€” now with Trump thereโ€™s no choice

Europeโ€™s leaders had plenty of warnings about what the U.S. presidentโ€™s second term might mean, but amid much eye-rolling, hand-wringing and wishful thinking, they failed to agree on a plan.

ECB further cuts interest rates amid Trump tariff fears

The bank cited easing price pressures, โ€œmoderatingโ€ wage growth, and declining corporate profits as the main reasons for its decision.
The post ECB further cuts interest rates amid Trump tariff fears appeared first on Euractiv.

European Central Bank cuts interest rates after eurozone growth stalls

Reduction by quarter of a point to 2.75% aims to stimulate economy, which stagnated in last quarter of 2024Business live โ€“ latest updatesThe European Central Bank has cut interest rates to ease the cost of borrowing across the 20-member eurozone as gro…

ECB cuts rates again as stagnant eurozone braces for Trump blast

Political environment has sapped confidence over the past year, diminishing the impact of four previous cuts.

Eurozone economy stagnated ahead of European Central Bank interest rate decision โ€“ business live

Live coverage of business, economics and financial news as ECB expected to cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points in effort to support growthIt was a flash reading on the Eurozone economy, so we donโ€™t have the details on what the drivers were. Bu…

EU decorum cracks over green agenda

Normally taciturn officials spar online over climate policy and reveal a deep split within the EU.

Whereโ€™s the Competitiveness Compass pointing?

The European Commission’s policy plans point to growth even as it tries to hold on to ambitious climate goals.

Printed Circuit Board Factory Fire in France Sparks Concerns for European Critical Industries [Promoted content]

A devastating fire at electronics manufacturer CSI Sud Ouest halted local operations with troubling implications for Europeโ€™s aeronautic, space, and other critical downstream industries. The supply disruption further exposes the alarming vulnerabilitie…

Starmer and Badenoch clash over growth at PMQs after Reeves backs Heathrow expansion โ€“ UK politics live

Prime minister faced MPs in Commons after chancellor backed runway expansion at HeathrowReeves says the supply side of the economy has been held back.Politicians have lacked the courage to confront the factors holding back growth.They have accepted the…

PMQs: Starmer wins but Badenochโ€™s getting more focused

Kemi Badenoch said the government’s employment plans harmed growth โ€” but the PM raised economic turmoil under the Tories.

Von der Leyenโ€™s bid to boost business relies on government helpย 

The European Commission lays out its policy plans for the next five years to help turn the continent’s economy around.

Is Rachel Reeves ignoring the North?

Sky Newsโ€™ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politicoโ€™s Anne McElvoy look at the day ahead in British politics. Todayโ€™s the day for Rachel Reeves, as she aims to get the economy growing with a big speech this morning. Thereโ€™s the heavily trailed backing of a third runway at Heathrow, as well as the news [โ€ฆ]

Britainโ€™s Rachel Reeves needs a growth miracle

A major speech Wednesday promises a host of pro-growth policies to turn the UK economy around. But the hurdles in the chancellorโ€™s way are huge.

Von der Leyen builds bonfire of EUโ€™s environmental red tape

Brussels hopes simplifying green compliance rules will boost Europe’s flagging economy. Green groups fear something more sinister.

ECB set to cut rates as Europe eyes Trump tariffs

The central bank wants to find a ‘neutral’ level for rates. It just doesn’t know where that is.

Orbรกnโ€™s power to disrupt is exaggerated

The economic difficulties facing the Hungarian leader with will further undermine his ability to hijack โ€” let alone drive โ€” the EUโ€™s agenda.

Questions over assisted dying

๐Ÿ‘‰Listen to Politics At Jack And Samโ€™s on your podcast app๐Ÿ‘ˆ Sky Newsโ€™ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politicoโ€™s Anne McElvoy look at the day ahead in British politics. As Rachel Reeves puts the finishing touches to her big speech on boosting economic growth tomorrow, new pension rules mean โ€œtrapped surplus fundsโ€ can be [โ€ฆ]

Trumpโ€™s war on tech taxes is a big problem for Britain

U.S. tech lobby groups plan to use trade negotiations to push back against the U.K.โ€™s Digital Services Tax.

Trump vs. Xi: Who Will Win the Trade War?

Donald Trump launched a two-year trade war against China during his first term in the White House, and heโ€™s poised to do it again. Even before being sworn in, Trump threatened China with 60 percent tariffs to cut its trade surplus, 10 percent tariffs if it didnโ€™t halt fentanyl shipments and 100 percent tariffs if [โ€ฆ]

Letโ€™s kill the Green Deal together, far-right leader urges EUโ€™s conservatives

Jordan Bardella thinks he can convince the European People’s Party to suspend EU climate legislation.

Strengthening Transatlantic Ties through Innovation and Technology: A Vision for the Future, Actions for 2025 [Promoted content]

As the premier advocate for the global technology sector, ITI will explore The Digital Imperative: Europe’s Path to Innovation, Security, and Growth in partnership with Euractiv on 12 March. Register here.
The post Strengthening Transatlantic Ties thro…

UK Labour steals from the Rudy Giuliani playbook

Giuliani touted a “broken windows” push on low-level crime as New York mayor. Britain’s center-left government needs a similar win.

If we are serious about growth, the EU cannot be sidelined

Five years since the UK left the European Union, the director of the Good Growth Foundation argues that closer ties with our closest trading partner is more vital than everIt is approaching five years since the UK officially left the European Union. An…

UK climate chief Ed Miliband is fighting a losing battle

The Treasury is gung-ho about airport expansion โ€” despite longstanding climate concerns of the government’s energy secretary.

Europe hasnโ€™t grasped the real economic threat from Trump

It’s not industrial policy that the bloc has to worry about, it’s the rise of national capitalism.

UK politics: โ€˜Itโ€™s not a customs unionโ€™: No 10 leaves door open to joining pan-Europe scheme โ€“ as it happened

Downing Street says EUโ€™s suggestion of UK joining agreement would not cross its โ€˜red linesโ€™ for closer tiesWhat is the pan-Europe customs area?Here is Downing Street news release on the governmentโ€™s plans to limit the extent to which judicial review ca…

EU trade chief says it โ€˜could considerโ€™ UK joining pan-Europe customs deal

Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ says โ€˜the ball is in the UKโ€™s courtโ€™ as British ministers reportedly consult businessesBusiness live โ€“ latest updatesThe EUโ€™s new trade chief has said the bloc could consider including the UK in a pan-European trade agreement, but emphas…

Starmer versus the blockers

๐Ÿ‘‰Listen to Politics At Jack And Samโ€™s on your podcast app๐Ÿ‘ˆ Sky Newsโ€™ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politicoโ€™s Dan Bloom look at the day ahead in British politics. Today, Sir Keir Starmer is on the NIMBY offensive to boost economic growth, with plans to reduce the number of times people can go to [โ€ฆ]

The Rachel Reeves fightback

๐Ÿ‘‰Listen to Politics At Jack And Samโ€™s on your podcast app๐Ÿ‘ˆ Sky Newsโ€™ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politicoโ€™s Anne McElvoy look at the day ahead in British politics. Anne is in Davos where Chancellor Rachel Reeves is kickstarting her economic fightback. The chair of the Competition and Markets Authority has been moved on [โ€ฆ]

UK ousts antitrust chief, brings in former Amazon exec

Marcus Bokkerink will leave the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after facing pressure from Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Trump announces $500B AI investment

AI development is a significant part of the Trump administrationโ€™s tech policy proposals.

Ursula von der Leyen seeks closer economic ties across EU as new Trump era begins

European Commission president tells Davos that the bloc can no longer rely on โ€˜rising tide of global tradeโ€™Business live โ€“ latest updatesThe president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for a new era of EU integration to susta…

Ukraine war briefing: โ€˜Conflict will not end tomorrow or day after,โ€™ says Macron as Trump takes office

French president tells Europe to โ€˜wake upโ€™ and spend more on defence; captured North Korean soldier says many casualties. What we know on day 1,063 The French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned that Russiaโ€™s war against Ukraine would not end โ€œtomorrow …

What Trumpโ€™s exit from the climate deal really means

Quitting the Paris Agreement triggers a cascade of real-world impacts and signals the beginning of an aggressive agenda to undo U.S. climate policy.

UKโ€™s David Lammy in last-minute Trump love-bombing

The British foreign secretary loves Donald Trump’s grace, humor and warmth … honest.

Oxfam report finds billionaires’ wealth soared in 2024 as global elite prepare for Davos

Oxfam International reported that billionaires’ wealth increased three times faster in 2024, outpacing the previous year’s growth. Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the group also forecasts the emergence of five trillionaires within a decade…

Austriaโ€™s central bank chief: Donโ€™t fear the far right

ECB rate-setter also warns that inflation risks are on the rise and that a January rate cut is not a done deal.

Europe needs to adapt or it will get left behind

Boldly aiming for โ€œstrategic interdependence,โ€ the EU should embrace interconnectedness where prudent while building autonomy where it can.

โ€˜If You Compromise With Totalitarian Systems, You Will Pay a High Priceโ€™

In a new book, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dรถpfner urges the U.S. and Europe to join together in a โ€œFreedom Trade Allianceโ€ against China, Russia and other autocracies.

Escalate to de-escalate: How the world will deal with Trumpโ€™s trade offensive

The Americas, China and Europe have developed playbooks to react to the aggressive tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is threatening. Retaliation is inevitable.

The Davos Man is back

… and heโ€™s running America.

Sorry you hated us: 5 grovelling apologies from UK politicians

Taken over as the leader of a wounded political party? Try some self-flagellation.

The fight to replace Justin Trudeau is on

Mark Carney has run two central banks and championed the green transition. Now he wants to lead Canadaโ€™s Liberal Party.

Fall in UK trade with EU should spur rewrite of post-Brexit rules, says IPPR

Thinktankโ€™s report details decline in trading position and also calls for new strategy as Trump takes power in USA slump in trade with the EU should spur ministers to negotiate a fundamental rewrite of post-Brexit rules to more closely align the UK wit…

UK should seek new customs union with EU, Lib Dems to say

Leader Ed Davey to call for talks to begin immediately, urging ministers to be โ€˜far more positive, far more ambitiousโ€™The Liberal Democrats are to call for the government to seek a formal customs union with the EU to boost growth and insulate the UK fr…

PMQs: Badenoch misses an open goal as Starmer gets lucky

Strong, specific questions from the Tory leader soon gave way to a scatter-shot approach.