By Pieter Cleppe Taxation has traditionally been regarded as one of the core prerogatives of national sovereignty within the European Union. Member states determine their own tax rates, structures, and revenue priorities, reflecting domestic political choices and economic models. Yet over the past decade — and particularly since 2020 — the EU’s role in shaping […]
EU Tax Policy: Ever Closer Coordination Read More »
Algeria has confirmed that work on the proposed 4,100-kilometer Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is expected to resume in the near future. The project is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, before connecting to Mediterranean export routes supplying European markets. If completed at
Algeria Signals Resumption of Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project Read More »
India has moved to deepen its economic ties with both the European Union and the United States, advancing two significant but structurally different trade arrangements within weeks of each other. While both initiatives signal New Delhi’s intention to expand global trade partnerships, the agreements differ in ambition, scope and political context. Great news for India
India Balances Brussels and Washington in Parallel Trade Deals Read More »
US President Donald Trump said on January 29 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a request to refrain from attacking Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and villages for a period of one week. Speaking at a press conference, Trump stated that he had personally asked Putin not to carry out attacks during the
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Pause on Attacks on Kyiv and Other Cities Read More »
France and Italy are urging the European Union to temporarily exempt fertilisers from its carbon border levy, arguing that the measure risks further straining Europe’s agricultural sector at a time of low crop prices and high input costs. According to documents seen by Reuters, the two countries are seeking a delay or suspension of the
France and Italy push for temporary exemption of fertilisers from EU carbon border levy Read More »
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States is deploying naval forces toward Iran, describing the movement as an “armada” while suggesting that the deployment may serve as a deterrent rather than a prelude to immediate action. Speaking to reporters while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump stated that although
U.S. Signals Military Deployment Toward Iran Amid Regional Tensions Read More »
By Pieter Cleppe EU member states are seeking to reach agreement by the end of this year on the European Union’s next long-term budget, formally known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The proposed framework would cover EU expenditure from 2028 to 2034. Negotiations are proving more complex than in previous cycles, partly because interest
Is an agreement on the EU’s long term budget in sight? Read More »
By R. Dercksen In order to protect socialist Maduro, woke critics of Trump’s actions in Venezuela forget about the Venezuelan people, who have been robbed, tortured, oppressed and murdered for decades. By a cruel dictator who ignored the election results and is dependent on Cuba, Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah. Does international law, which
Trump’s new year’s surprise Read More »
The European Union’s decision to delay the implementation of its deforestation law is increasingly seen as a stark illustration of how difficult it has become for Brussels to project its regulatory power beyond its borders. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), first proposed in 2021, was intended to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering the bloc’s
EUDR delay seen as exposing the limits of the “Brussels effect” Read More »
The Israeli government has approved a plan to expand natural gas production at the Leviathan field in the eastern Mediterranean, enabling a significant increase in gas exports to Egypt over the coming decades. Leviathan, Israel’s largest offshore gas field, is operated by a consortium led by Chevron, alongside NewMed Energy and Ratio Energies. The newly
Israel approves expansion of Leviathan gas production for exports to Egypt Read More »