Green light for EU-US data deal – EUbusiness Week newsletter 766 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 766 top stories: Winter package to reform EU’s energy system; Simpler VAT rules to boost European e-commerce; EU agrees end to geo-blocking barrier to online business; EU plans EUR 5 billion defence fund; WTO rules in EU’s favour over U.S. support for Boeing; MEPs back cross-border portability for films

Publisher’s Note

MEPs have given the final green light to a historic EU-U.S. data protection agreement, despite concerns over how keen President-elect Trump will be for its implementation.

The deal, which puts in place a high-level data protection framework for EU-US law enforcement cooperation, provides important safeguards and guarantees of lawfulness for data transfers. It should also help restore some trust in the U.S., which took a big hit following revelations of mass surveillance by the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. Winter package to reform EU’s energy system

The Commission outlined an extensive set of reforms to the EU’s energy system Wednesday, with a view to maintaining competitivity in a global transition to clean energy.
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2. Simpler VAT rules to boost European e-commerce

New rules covering the VAT environment for e-commerce businesses in the EU aim to help businesses buy and sell goods and services more easily online.
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3. EU agrees end to geo-blocking barrier to online business

Ministers have agreed to ban ‘geo-blocking’ barriers to e-commerce which prevent online customers from buying products or services from a website based in another Member State.
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4. EU plans EUR 5 billion defence fund

The Commission set out proposals Wednesday to strengthen Member States’ joint defence capabilities, defence spending efficiency and a EUR 5 billion European Defence Fund.
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5. WTO rules in EU’s favour over U.S. support for Boeing

The EU won a major victory Monday in its battle over United States support for production of the Boeing 777X, as the WTO ruled the aid breached international trade rules.
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6. MEPs back cross-border portability for films

MEPs have backed cross-border portability of online music, games, films and sporting events, allowing travellers to enjoy content while abroad in another EU Member State.
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EUROPEAN LAW

German road toll: the Commission and Germany finally reached agreement Thursday on a solution to end a long-running legal dispute over the planned introduction of a road charge for passenger cars in Germany.
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Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

European fund for sustainable development – Eurogroup transparency – EU-Georgia Association Council – Passenger ship safety – Aviation safety, EASA and drones rules – Support to young researchers – Geo-blocking – EUNAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta – report on EU international cooperation and development – mainstreaming digital solutions and technologies in EU development policy
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Commission Watch

Regulation of commodities markets – Modernising VAT for e-commerce – Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition – 25 years of MEDIA programme – Education for children in emergencies – EU drone policy – European Defence Action Plan – Capacity mechanisms – Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant – Georgia Association Agenda – Investment Plan for Europe – Reducing food waste – Central Counterparties Recovery and Resolution
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Parliament Watch

Commission code of conduct – EU budget 2017 approved – EU-US data protection deal – protection for small investors – investor protection rule – Watch online films anywhere in the EU – EU-Turkey relations – Orange the World
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EU diary

5 Dec: European Parliament Committee Meetings
5 Dec: Eurogroup
5 Dec: Europe as a global actor
6-7 Dec: 2016 EU agricultural outlook conference
6 Dec: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
8-9 Dec: Justice and Home Affairs Council
8-9 Dec: Employment, Social, Health, Consumer Council
6 Dec: Commission adopts monthly infringements package
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary