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By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Bruce Campion-Smith Ottawa Bureau Sat., June 2, 2018 OTTAWA—Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland joined the European Union on Friday to challenge U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum shipments with the World Trade Organization, and filed a separate challenge under the North American Free Trade Agreement arguing America is offside with international trading rules. “The tariffs … are completely unacceptable, and in fact they are illegal,” Freeland said. “This is a moment when it is important for us to be clear and firm,” she said, thanking Canadians who had backed the government’s announcement a day earlier of tit-for-tat tariffs on a range of exports, including U.S.-made steel, aluminum and other consumer goods. Canada’s lengthy target list may be trimmed, or expanded, by the time a two-week consultation period ends, said a government official. For now, another … [Read more...] about Canada, European Union countries challenge Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs
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European Union proposes ban on plastic straws, stirs and cotton buds
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By The Associated Press Mon., May 28, 2018 BRUSSELS—The European Union is proposing bans on plastic products like cotton buds, straws, stirs and balloon sticks when alternatives are easily available in an attempt to cut marine litter. The European Commission said its proposal would seek to cut marine litter in half for the ten most prominent items and avoid environmental damage estimated at more than $250 billion (U.S.) over the next dozen years. EU Vice-President Frans Timmermans said that utensils would not be banned completely, but steps would be taken to have them made out of sustainable materials when possible. The proposal will now be assessed by the EU parliament and member states but Timmermans hopes to see results before May 2019. Read more: Article Continued Below McDonald’s holds onto plastic straws amid push for bans Opinion | Jennifer Wells: Ottawa should just suck it up and join the ban on plastic straws People with disabilities … [Read more...] about European Union proposes ban on plastic straws, stirs and cotton buds
George Soros’ foundation is leaving Hungary after a campaign against him ‘unprecedented in the history of the European Union’
caption George Soros. source Reuters/Jorge Silva George Soros’ Open Society Foundation (OSF) is closing its Hungarian office, citing a “repressive political and legal environment.” Hungary recently passed a law dubbed the “Stop Soros Act” that gives the interior minister the power to expel NGOs. The recently re-elected right-wing Hungarian government ran a poster campaign against the billionaire, accusing him of meddling in countries’ affairs. The OSF president said: “The government of Hungary has denigrated and misrepresented our work and repressed civil society for the sake of political gain, using tactics unprecedented in the history of the European Union.” George Soros’ Open Society Foundation (OSF) is pulling out of Hungary after the introduction of tighter restrictions on non-governmental organisations in the country that … [Read more...] about George Soros’ foundation is leaving Hungary after a campaign against him ‘unprecedented in the history of the European Union’
Insight: European Union must stop funding illiberalism
PREMIUM Since 2004, when the European Union was enlarged to include many of the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe, its regional funding mechanism has been heavily geared toward ameliorating economic inequalities between old and “new” member states. To ensure cohesion within the EU, overcoming disparities between countries and improving trade, transport, and communications i... Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. … [Read more...] about Insight: European Union must stop funding illiberalism
Trump presses European Union on trade barriers in tit-for-tat
MOON TOWNSHIP, United States: President Donald Trump renewed his demand Saturday that the European Union halts its trade barriers to US products in order to spare his allies new steel and aluminum tariffs. The American president made his comments after crunch talks in Brussels between EU negotiators and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in an effort to defuse a bitter row that many fear could turn into an all-out trade war. The EU’s top trade official said the US failed to provide full clarity on how Europe and Japan could be spared set to continue next week. “The European Union, wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade, are complaining about the tariffs on Steel & Aluminum,” Trump tweeted. US trade representative Robert Lighthizer (L) arrives for a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Japan’s EconomyMinister for talks after US President imposes tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, on March 10, … [Read more...] about Trump presses European Union on trade barriers in tit-for-tat