archiveENFF

BRUSSELS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - European Union's second-top court on Wednesday backed an EU competition regulator's decision against a 700-million-euro ($748 million) Belgian tax scheme for 55 multinationals, in a major win for EU antitrust chief's crackdown on sweetheart tax deals.The Luxembourg-based General Court had in 2019 annulled Margrethe Vestager's decision after Belgium and about 30 of the companies challenged it.Beneficiaries of the Belgian scheme that dated from 2005 included U.S. manufacturer Magnetrol, oil company BP (BP.L), chemical producer BASF (BASFn.DE), Wabco, Cellio, Atlas Copco (ATCOa.ST) and Belgacom, now Proximus...

Bolivia's President Luis Arce addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Bolivia is open to tie-ups with European and other global companies for lithium exploration and extraction provided they adhere to the country’s conditions, president Luis Arce said on Wednesday."We are open to any company that wants to come to Bolivia, but the conditions are clear," Arce told Reuters in an interview, adding that his country wants to participate...

Workers are seen at the production line of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EV) at a factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The European Union could become as dependent on China for lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells by 2030 as it was on Russia for energy before the war in Ukraine unless it takes strong measures, a paper prepared for EU leaders said.The document, obtained by Reuters, will be the basis of discussions on Europe's economic security during a...

LONDON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Whether China has become "uninvestable" or not, avoidance of the world's second-largest economy suggests the economic and political risks there have simply become too hard to assess.U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's trip to China last month had promised some economic and trade detente between the two superpowers now at loggerheads. But it was quickly defined by her comment that more and more U.S. firms see China as "uninvestable" amid spying, fines, raids and other risks.While bricks-and-mortar investment, supply-chain exposure and stock listings have been under...

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hold a joint press conference in Warsaw, Poland, July 5, 2023, REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsEnergy projects focal point of agreementSaudis could invest in 'Made in Italy' fundPM has sought closer ties with Gulf countriesMILAN, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Italy and Saudi Arabia are in talks about a potential Saudi investment in Rome's new strategic fund, Italy's Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said on Monday, as the two signed a deal to forge closer economic relations, particularly in energy.The...