Table.Briefings

Feature

EU kritische Rohstoffe

EU wants to secure critical raw materials

In early March, the EU Commission plans to present its legislative package on securing the supply of critical raw materials. For the Swedish Council Presidency, the matter is a top priority. It is also intended to reduce dependence on China.

By Redaktion Table

AI Act: new opportunity for compromise

On Wednesday, the shadow rapporteurs on the AI Act will meet. They finally need to agree on important points so that they can negotiate the dossier with the Council before the end of the year. Expectations are mixed.

By Corinna Visser

Luo Shengchun und Ding Jiaxi

'People disappear under force'

Luo Shengchun's husband, the well-known human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, was arrested and tortured at the end of 2019. Since then, she has been campaigning for his release. He faces a life sentence. Western governments can do more to counter dictators like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, says Luo in conversation with Marcel Grzanna.

By Redaktion Table

Commission wants combustion engine phase out for buses

A leak on CO2 fleet limits for heavy-duty vehicles reveals that the Commission wants to leave the 2025 standards untouched. Starting in 2030, they are to be tightened in five-year increments and extended to all types of heavy commercial vehicles.

By Markus Grabitz

Green claims directive: What consumer advocates and industry say

Claims about the environmental compatibility of products are often false or misleading. With a directive, the EU Commission now declares war on greenwashing. Initial reactions to the leaked draft for "green claims" are positive – only the industry fears contradictions.

By Leonie Düngefeld

European minimum tax: Germany faces complicated implementation

Olaf Scholz considered it one of his greatest successes as finance minister. But it is unlikely to impact the current chancellor's coffers much: Minimum taxation rules will apply in EU member states from Jan. 1, 2024. Scholz's successor, Christian Lindner, is still mulling over exactly how these will be implemented. And it is not only Germany's path that is problematic.

By Falk Steiner

Hongkongs Wirtschaft nach der Pandemie

Hong Kong's difficult comeback

The Chinese Special Administrative Region was hit even harder by the pandemic than the People's Republic. Now the financial metropolis seeks to make a comeback. But that will not be easy.

By Redaktion Table

China Touristenvisa

Delayed tourist visas

Although the Chinese are once again allowed to leave the country for their vacations, the People's Republic continues to deny tourist visas to foreigners. The chaos at home is supposed to fall under the radar of global perception.

By Fabian Peltsch