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.