All posts tagged: Customs

Poland faces millions in EU fines as president vetoes tech bill – POLITICO

Poland faces millions in EU fines as president vetoes tech bill – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Deputy Digital Minister Dariusz Standerski said in a TV interview that, “since the president decided to veto this law, I’m assuming he is also willing to have these costs [of a potential fine] charged to the budget of the President’s Office.” Nawrocki’s refusal to sign the bill brings back bad memories of Warsaw’s years-long clash with Brussels over the rule of law, a conflict that began when Nawrocki’s Law and Justice party rose to power in 2015 and started reforming the country’s courts and regulators. The EU imposed €320 million in penalties on Poland from 2021-2023. Warsaw was already in a fight with the Commission over its slow implementation of the tech rulebook since 2024, when the EU executive put Poland on notice for delaying the law’s implementation and for not designating a responsible authority. In May last year Brussels took Warsaw to court over the issue. If the EU imposes new fines over the rollout of digital rules, it would “reignite debates reminiscent of the rule-of-law mechanism and frozen funds disputes,” said Jakub Szymik, …

Polish president aligns with Trump to block Brussels’ Big Tech law – POLITICO

Polish president aligns with Trump to block Brussels’ Big Tech law – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Nawrocki argued that while the bill’s stated aim of protecting citizens — particularly minors — was legitimate, the Polish bill would grant excessive power to government officials over online content, resulting in “administrative censorship.”  “I want this to be stated clearly: a situation in which what is allowed on the internet is decided by an official subordinate to the government resembles the construction of the Ministry of Truth from George Orwell’s novel 1984,” Nawrocki said in a statement — echoing the U.S.’s stance on the law. Nawrocki also warned that allowing authorities to decide what constitutes truth or disinformation would erode freedom of expression “step by step.” He called for a revised draft that would protect children while ensuring that disputes over online speech are settled by independent courts. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski dismissed Nawrocki’s position, accusing the president of undermining online safety and siding with digital platforms.  “The president has vetoed online safety,” Gawkowski told a press briefing Friday afternoon, arguing the law would have protected children from predators, families from disinformation …

Firms seeking refunds face new Customs deadline

Firms seeking refunds face new Customs deadline

Published by Sam Flores

The Contemplation of Justice statue at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Pete Kiehart | Bloomberg | Getty Images There is a new deadline for U.S. importers to file for electronic refunds if the Supreme Court rules President Donald Trump’s IEEPA tariffs are illegal. U.S. Customs published details of a new electronic refund process on Jan. 2, established as part of a March 25 Trump executive order on modernizing government payments and phasing out physical checks.  A Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the Trump tariffs was not issued on Friday, the earliest date on which experts expected the Court might release its decision. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday he expects a “mishmash” of a decision, while National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Friday that the administration will find other legal means to enact tariffs, if necessary, “that get us to the same place.” The mandatory deadline for importers to sign up in order to receive electronic refunds through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network …

The Labour tribes shaping Britain’s Brexit reset – POLITICO

The Labour tribes shaping Britain’s Brexit reset – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

To Starmer’s left, backbench rebels including Richard Burgon and Dawn Butler backed the push toward a customs union by the opposition Lib Dems. The members of the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group frame their argument around fears Labour will lose voters to other progressive parties, namely the Lib Dems, Greens and SNP, if they fail to show adequate bonds with Europe. Some other, more centrist MPs fear similar. Labour MPs with a military background or in military-heavy seats also want the U.K. and EU to cooperate further. London MP Calvin Bailey, who spent more than two decades in the Royal Air Force, endorsed closer security relations between Britain and France through greater intelligence sharing and possibly permanent infrastructure. Alex Baker, whose Aldershot constituency is known as the home of the British Army, backed British involvement in a global Defense, Security and Resilience Bank, arguing it could be key to a U.K.-EU Defence and Security Pact. The government opted against joining such a scheme.   Parliamentarians keen for young people to bag more traveling rights were buoyed by …