On
1st January, France took the reins of the Presidency of the Council of
the EU. The Presidency’s motto “Recovery, Strength and a Sense of
belonging” will drive the agenda of the French government at EU level
for the next six months as also detailed in the Presidency’s work
programme.
EU INSTITUTIONS AGREE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2022
The
leaders of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the
Council of the European Union signed on 16 December 2021 a Joint
Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2022. The Joint Declaration
sets out the institutions' shared vision for a transformed, more
resilient Europe, and highlights key legislative proposals that are
currently in the hands of the co-legislators or will be put forward by
the European Commission by the autumn of 2022.
OECD INCLUDES SHIPPING ANCILLARY SERVICES IN GLOBAL CORPORATE TAX
On
20 December 2021, the OECD released its Pillar Two model rules, also
referred to as the “Anti Global Base Erosion”. These rules seek to
enforce a minimum 15% effective tax rate on profits earned by large
multinational enterprises in each jurisdiction where they realise
profits. The minimum tax will apply to multinational enterprises with
revenue above EUR 750 million and is estimated to generate around USD
150 billion in additional global tax revenues annually.
The
US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) published on 28 December three
policy statements which provide new guidance to shippers and others on
bringing private party complaints at the FMC and to address barriers
identified by the trade community as disincentives to filing legal
actions. These guidelines are part of the Interim Recommendations made
by commissioner Rebecca Dye in the framework of the Fact Finding 29
investigation on the impact of COVID-19 on maritime supply chains, which
were published in July 2021.
COMMISSION ADOPTS COVID-19 RELIEF MEASURE FOR RAIL TRANSPORT
On
22 December 2021, the European Commission adopted a measure to support
the EU rail sector amidst new restrictions to prevent and contain the
spread of COVID-19.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON REVISION OF STATE AID GUIDELINES FOR RAILWAY COMPANIES
On
22 December 2021, the European Commission launched a public
consultation on the proposed revision of the 2008 Guidelines on State
aid for railway undertakings (the ‘Railway Guidelines'). Interested
parties can respond to the consultation until 16 March 2022.
€88 MILLION SUPPORT TO COMPENSATE FOR DAMAGES SUFFERED BY DB CARGO DUE TO COVID-19
On
22 December 2021, the European Commission found a €88 million German
support measure in favour of Deutsche Bahn AG to be in line with EU
State aid rules. The measure, which will take the form of an equity
injection, aims at compensating Deutsche Bahn for the damages suffered
by its subsidiary DB Cargo due to the coronavirus outbreak between 16
March and 17 May 2020.
EC LAUNCHES PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON REVISED CO2 STANDARDS FOR TRUCKS
The
European Commission opened on 20 December the public consultation on
the revision of the CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles. As announced
in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, the Commission will
review this legislation and will set more ambitious emission-reduction
targets for such vehicles.
In
December 2021, the World Customs Organization (WCO) released the WCO
Data Model version 3.11.0 on a new publication platform: the WCO DM app.
The WCO DM package published in the DM app is available free of charge
to all interested parties, including WCO Members, partner international
organizations and private sector stakeholders.
EU EXTENDS CUSTOMS AND VAT WAIVER FOR IMPORTS OF COVID-19 MEDICAL AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
On
22 December 2021, the Commission extended for 23 EU Member States, at
their request, the temporary waiver of customs duties and Value-Added
Tax (VAT) on imports from non-EU countries of medical devices and
protective equipment used in the fight against COVID-19.