Latest news with #JohnClarke
Euractiv
2 days ago
- Business
- Euractiv
A new low: Turnberry spells the end time for the EU's common commercial policy
John Clarke is a trade consultant and former top trade negotiator at the European Commission and Head of the EU Delegation to the WTO and UN. I thought the Brexit deal was the worst trade deal in history. But the Turnberry deal between the US and Europe is giving it a good run for its money. Call me naïve, but aren't trade agreements meant to reduce tariffs, increase trade and benefit consumers? The Turnberry deal fails on all counts. The EU faces an across-the-board 15% tariff and even higher duties on steel, with more bad news to come in August when the US will slap tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Europe has condoned Trump's totally illegal tariff hikes, in defiance of international law. Nothing to be proud of. On the other side of the ledger, the EU made – thankfully – empty and unenforceable promises to buy more US energy, invest $600 billion in US manufacturing, and buy more US weaponry, all of which it was already planning to do. There is much irony in the self-styled freebooting US asking the EU to behave as a non-market economy like China, telling companies what to buy or where to invest. The EU has also committed to removing tariffs on a range of US exports, from lobsters to machinery. It remains unclear whether this will be on a non-discriminatory basis or just for the US – which would be illegal. The Commission's press briefing on Sunday shed no light on this. The EU should have been tougher much earlier, as China was. As Canada is. Instead, thinking it was negotiating a classic trade deal with a reliable partner, one based on mutual benefit, the EU time and again postponed retaliatory measures against the illegal US tariffs to give peace a chance. Trump took advantage of European naivety. Mars against Venus. The mafia bully won. This is not only about tariffs. EU business will, with some pain, adjust to a 15% duty. Business groups initially responded with relief because things could have been far worse – a 30% tariff, a 50% tariff on metals, a 200% tariff on wines…. At least now there may be some predictability in the transatlantic relationship that will help companies plan and invest. But they will hesitate before upping investment in the US. No, beyond tariffs, geopolitics dictated this outcome. In several ways. First, Trump detests the EU and wanted to punish it for both running a trade surplus (in goods only, with services they are in balance), and for being a defender of multilateral institutions. He was also determined that it should get a worse deal than the UK, to encourage the Brexiteer narrative. Secondly, the EU negotiated from a position of weakness, given the overriding priority of avoiding a trade war and breakdown of relations that could have risked the end of the US's already lukewarm support for Ukraine. There was no alternative, to quote Margaret Thatcher. The commitment to buy more US arms was to keep the US inside the tent. We shall see if it has that effect. Thirdly, the EU's unity on trade policy – already fraying – is now in tatters. This agreement sounds the death knell for the EU's vaunted Common Commercial Policy. The EU proved unable to use its considerable leverage as the world's biggest trading bloc to get a balanced agreement. And it failed to get its member states to take a unified stance – notably to do what China did and impose perfectly legitimate retaliatory duties (the only language Trump understands). This damage dates back from the restrictions imposed by Poland and others on Ukrainian imports two years ago, in blatant disregard for the single market, which Brussels accepted, and which I criticised heavily at the time. With this agreement, the EU now condones the USA's WTO-illegal behaviour. It's very sad to see the EU so helpless. Pragmatism should have had its limits. And it's not over. Companies should not assume that the trade relationship has now stabilised. In early August the US will announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals, expected to also be at 15%. It's unclear what has been agreed on cars. The two sides have still to negotiate quotas on steel and aluminium to replace the current 50% tariff. On top of this, the US will be watching closely if Europe indeed purchases defence materiel, invests in manufacturing in rustbelt red states, and honours its promise to buy $750 billion of mostly environmentally-damaging fossil fuels over the next three years. And who knows whether the US itself will stick to the deal? It has a chequered record of adherence to international commitments. So, as Lenny Kravitz – that renowned commentator on trade policy – once tartly observed, 'It ain't over til' its over'. Except that it is over for the EU's common commercial policy. China, Russia and others will be buying the popcorn and smugly watching this act of self-harm.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Transpower Launches Grid Blueprint Consultation
Today Transpower launched the first in a series of consultations that will enable it to design a future 'grid blueprint' for New Zealand. The grid blueprint is being developed as part of Transpower's Te Kanapu initiative, which was introduced at the end of May. It will guide investments in national electricity transmission infrastructure up to and beyond 2050, supporting New Zealand's economic growth and net-zero aspirations. John Clarke, Transpower Executive General Manager Future Grid said that stakeholder input was critical to build a picture of what New Zealand might look like in 2050. 'We know there are a lot of people from a range of businesses, organisations and sectors that have insights and are making plans that will shape our country in the future,' he said. 'We want to make sure the electricity infrastructure enables those aspirations.' John highlighted the real opportunity for those in the sector and across the wider economy to work together and help ensure the national electricity grid is an enabler for New Zealand. The first consultation is an online survey, open to everyone. Transpower has started conversations across the electricity sector and with industry groups and will use the survey to ensure a wide range of responses and information about plans and ideas. The information gathered will help Transpower to develop possible future scenarios for Aotearoa. The scenarios will cover both a broad vision for the future and specific detail that's important for the electricity sector, such as assumptions about growth, electricity generation and load, and future technological change. Transpower will seek feedback through this and other consultations throughout the year, with a view to delivering the grid blueprint in late 2026. 'Getting feedback from all those who will rely on the grid and across the energy sector will help us to ensure that our transmission grid is a significant enabler of growth and electrification.'
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Irish Times
Three men plead guilty to unlawfully killing Tom Niland (73)
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving has changed his plea to guilty. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to manslaughter over the death of Mr Niland, who suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures following the assault. He was put on life support but died from his injuries 20 months later. His attackers took his wallet containing several hundred euros and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier unable to pay for diesel they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. READ MORE Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty on Thursday morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon then discharged the jury. It can now be reported that Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina, pleaded guilty to the same offence last week. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. They assaulted him, took his wallet and drove to Lough Easkey where they disposed of gloves, the wallet and other items that might link them to the crime. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75.
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man accused of unlawful killing of Tom Niland pleads guilty and admits to killing Sligo pensioner
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving changed his plea to guilty on Thursday. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to manslaughter over the death of Mr Niland, who suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures following the assault. He was put on life support but died from his injuries 20 months later. Advertisement His attackers took his wallet containing €800 or €900 and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier, unable to pay for diesel, they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. After Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty this morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon discharged the jury which had been hearing evidence in the trial. Advertisement It can now be reported that Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina, pleaded guilty to the same offence last week. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. They assaulted him, took his wallet and drove to Lough Easkey, where they disposed of gloves, the wallet and other items that might link them to the crime. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. More to follow...
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Irish Times
CCTV shows Tom Niland entering shop two hours before men allegedly broke into his home
A jury has viewed CCTV footage of 73-year-old Tom Niland walking into a shop about two hours before three men allegedly broke into his home and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries that caused his death 20 months later. Garda Niall McDonald told the court he created a montage from hours of footage downloaded from various CCTV systems in Sligo and Mayo following the assault on Mr Niland on January 18th, 2022. Garda McDonald described the movements of a white van travelling around Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon. He said the van appeared to be a Vauxhall Vivaro and he noted distinctive characteristics, including a yellow number plate, writing on the side and a green stain on the roof. Just after 1.30pm, a van with those markings pulled into Casey's garage in Ballina. The garda identified the driver as Francis Harman (58), of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and the passenger as John Clarke (37), of Carrowkelly, Ballina. READ MORE Tony McGillicuddy, prosecuting, previously told the jury that the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Harman, Mr Clarke and the man on trial, John Irving (31), of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted Mr Niland later that evening, leaving him with fatal injuries. It is further alleged that they stole Mr Niland's wallet. At Casey's, Garda McDonald said Mr Clarke put fuel into the van before entering the shop. From footage inside the shop, said the garda, Mr Clarke can be seen attempting to buy cans of alcohol at the till, but then returning the cans to the off-licence section of the store. He said Mr Harman entered the shop and engaged with staff and the manager before driving off. At 4.35pm, said Garda McDonald, Mr Niland arrived at Feeney's Centra in Dromore West, about 7.5km from his home. Between 6pm and 7pm, the prosecution alleges, Mr Irving, Mr Harman and Mr Clarke broke through Mr Niland's door, assaulted him and left. Garda McDonald said that at 6.01pm a van similar to the one driven earlier by Mr Harman, with Mr Clarke in the passenger seat, did a U-turn at an agri-store and travelled towards Mr Niland's house. The van was not seen again on cameras further along the same road, said the garda. Mr Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Mr Niland by assaulting him at the victim's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, on January 18th, 2022. Mr Niland was admitted to hospital after neighbours discovered him crossing the N59 covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. A doctor has told the jury that Mr Niland suffered bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the orb of his right eye and multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side. Despite initially making progress in hospital, he deteriorated on January 26th and required a ventilator to breathe. He died on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. Mr Irving is accused of entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
