In The News

EU and US Disagree in Munich: Washington Post

Michael Birnbaum, John Hudson and Loveday Morris February 24, 2020
The annual Munich Security Conference exposed widening disagreements between the United States and Europe in terms of foreign policies, tariffs, national defense and more. This conference’s theme of “Westlessness” shows the concern of some political elites over a multipolar world as China and Russia gain power. Western rules-based international order remains the best option for the ensuring...

EU Proposes Big Tech Data-Sharing: Financial Times

Javier Espinoza, Madhumita Murgia and Richard Waters February 20, 2020
The European Commission wants the world’s top tech companies – Amazon, Facebook, Google and others to follow the lead of financial services firms by sharing data with small firms. The commission released a “European Strategy for Data,” and proposes compulsory data-sharing in areas with market failure. “The commission said that tech companies were able to build huge advantages by guarding their...

Quarrels in the EU Over Meat Promotion: DutchNews.nl

February 16, 2020
The European Union is under constant pressure to enact best practices for the bloc regardless of cultural differences. Dutch officials question the need for EU subsidies to promote meat consumption amid growing health and environmental concerns. “The EU has spent some €60m promoting meat since 2017, in direct contradiction to Dutch efforts to cut meat consumption on health grounds, according to...

Sinn Féin Gains in Irish Election: AP

Jill Lawless And Nicolae Dumitrache February 11, 2020
UPDATED: Sinn Féin won nearly 25 percent of the vote in Ireland’s February 8 election. “In a surge that upended Ireland’s traditional two-party system, the left-wing nationalist party beat both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, the centrist parties that have governed Ireland since it won independence from Britain a century ago,” reports the Associated Press. “Sinn Fein’s left-wing proposals for tackling...

Clash Over Brexit Trade Rules: Bloomberg

Tim Ross and Ian Wishart February 4, 2020
The United Kingdom severed ties with the European Union, with current rules to remain in place until the end of 2020. The leaders have 11 months to develop new trade rules: The EU expects the UK to abide by strict rules to prevent unfair competition while Johnson insists the UK will “prosper mightily” even if the negotiations fail. He suggested the EU could provide a deal similar to the one with...

Wage Transparency: New Frame

Carlos Amato February 1, 2020
Wage inequality thrives on secrecy. Members of society have some insights: some positions pay minimum wage, teacher and government salaries are public information, and annual reports disclose CEO salaries and benefits. It’s no coincidence that Norway, Sweden and Finland are societies with greater equality and “every taxpayer’s annual income and tax payments are transparent,” explains Carlos Amato...

Invisible Brexit: Politico

Ryan Heath January 31, 2020
After more than three years of wrangling, Britain leaves the European Union with a transition period that ends this year. Most Europeans, weary of Brexit, hope to proceed with minimal disruptions. For many years, communities and families made plans based on a united European Union that included the United Kingdom, and the issue sharply divided the UK since a June 2026 referendum. In December 2019...