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ANNOUNCEMENT
Brussels spoke! The European Commission has introduced its lengthy -term finances proposal, beginning troublesome negotiations on who will get what and those that pay for this. Rich international locations reminiscent of Germany and the Netherlands have already rejected the sport of numbers as too formidable.
But it isn’t nearly politics, however these are those that win and those that lose in essential areas reminiscent of expertise, agriculture and climatic motion. Who will lastly set off? And what are the advantages for unusual residents?
Questions for our panel this week: Kait Bolongaro, editor -in -chief for Europe close to Mlex, Tomi Huhtanen, govt director of the Wilfried Martens Center and Dave Keating, Brussels correspondent for France 24.
To say that the proposal of the European Commission for a protracted -term finances wouldn’t survive in its present type, it could be an understatement.
For Chancellor Friedrich Merz the EU should do extra with the cash he has. This creates a conflict with the German Christian Democratic colleague Ursula von der Leyen who believes that the growing challenges want an satisfactory tax response – in different phrases: more cash.
Prepare for the finances battles that might final two years!
Another combat on cash: this time, it could make smoke, in all its kinds, costlier. The EU Commission has introduced a renewed push to curb tobacco consumption by way of higher taxation.
At the identical time, the World Health Organization is taking part in the alarm bell: persistent public well being issues are getting out of hand. As a treatment, the WHO is pushing the international locations to extend the costs of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 % within the subsequent ten years by way of larger taxes.
This would save thousands and thousands of lives and would have collected 1.4 trillion {dollars} globally, in response to WHO.
The transfer would assist to scale back the consumption of merchandise that contribute to ailments reminiscent of diabetes and most cancers. The WHO is turning into an ally for the European Commission, which needs to modernize the EU tobacco tax directive. A powerful sign for public well being or simply one other strategy to squeeze taxpayers? Can public well being be improved by tax measures?
Finally, panellists talk about the Fast-Fashion trend trade that operates in Eurpope, for the reason that hunt for Super-Coap on-line events may turn into rather less enticing, at the very least in France.
The Paris authorities has affected the Ultra Fast Chinese Shein trend big with a advantageous of 40 million euros for what the regulators name “misleading business practices”. It is a vital escalation within the European management of the quick trend mannequin.
The blow comes two months after the European Commission has declared that Shein Guilty to interact in unlawful business practices pursuant to EU legislation, following a coordinated investigation with the nationwide client safety authorities.
And at first of this 12 months, France has already introduced a brand new laws geared toward Shein and its Chinese rival Temu, imposing ecological taxes, promoting prohibitions and influencer restrictions.
Will these steps influence the shoppers? Will they cease shopping for from these websites?