Exactly 20 years after they started, representatives from the European Union and Mercosur concluded negotiations on one of the biggest trade deals in history. The EU is the South American bloc’s first major trade partner, and the new agreement is the largest ever for both sides.
Trade-agreement negotiations between the EU and the four South American countries that comprise Mercosur have dragged on for 17 years, but they’ve taken on a new urgency due to US protectionist policies. The two sides aim to finalize an agreement by the end of the year.
Last week the first-ever international transaction between banks using multiple blockchain applications took place. Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and other prominent firms are developing blockchain technologies, but blockchain’s reach is not limited to financial transactions. This post collects some of the ways various companies across industries are using this fast-evolving technology that some experts believe may be as revolutionary as the internet.
In this week's Global Glance we look at how the US-Ireland income tax treaty may save an Irish gambler millions, an international photo essay from a small-motor manufacturer, and the surprising results of a global tree census.