FRANCE

U.S. Retaliates Against France’s Digital Services Tax by Announcing Tariffs on French Handbags and Cosmetics

22 July 2020

On 10 July 2020, certain products originating in France were listed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as set to receive retaliatory tariffs. The 25% tariffs will target $1.3 billion worth of French goods, including French handbags and cosmetics. Cosmetics targeted include lip make-up, eye make-up, manicure and pedicure products, make-up powders, sunscreen, suntan preparation products and soaps. More

life & style

Digital vintner wins amid lockdowns

29 April 2020

Among the worst losers in the COVID-19 outbreak, the catering sector has suffered as the number of diners and drinkers in restaurants and bars first slumped on contagion fears, then faced restrictions on customer numbers or were shut altogether. More

hktdc research

Dialogue Becomes Amicable Between France and US over Tax on Cross-border Digital Services

07 February 2020

Bruno Le Maire, France’s Minister of Finance, has announced that “there won’t be a trade war” between France and the United States and explained that the two countries will continue their dialogue over the new global tax rules for companies that provide cross-border digital services. The announcement by Le Maire stands as confirmation of the reported ‘truce’ agreed between French President Macron and US President Trump. More

hktdc research

Year-end Sales Gain Momentum Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainties

31 December 2019

In 2019, as ever, as the year end approached, retail sales peaked as shoppers made ready for Christmas and the New Year. With the festive buying period kicking off in November, the final two months of the year typically account for a considerable proportion of overall annual retail sales in a substantial number of economies. In light of this, many view the total sales recorded over this period as bellwethers of consumer demand in the individual markets and regional economies concerned. More

hktdc research

Sexist Toys Targeted by Dutch Minister and France

05 November 2019

Last month, the Dutch minister for Education, Culture and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven, was questioned in the Dutch Parliament following her statement published in a Dutch newspaper in which she had called on toy manufacturers to re-assess the role-enhancing toys they may produce. More

hktdc research

The Greater Bay Area: Flash Fashion in the Pan-Pearl River Delta

18 September 2019

OnTheList opened in Hong Kong almost four years ago to help brands shift excess and end-of-season stock. Riding on its success in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, the company, founded by an enterprising French couple, opens for business in Shanghai later this year and cities across the GBA are very much on its radar. More

market spotlight

Where beauty meets sustainability

17 September 2019

Luxury products and sustainability might not seem to belong on the same shelf but French cosmetics start-up La Bouche Rouge has found strong demand for its eco-friendly lines, including a healthy interest in Hong Kong. More

hktdc research

French Minister Reveals Plans to Reform VAT Collection in the E-commerce Realm

09 September 2019

On 22 August 2019, the French Minister of Public Action and Accounts, Gérald Darmanin, in an interview with the French financial newspaper “Les Échos,” revealed plans to reform the collection of VAT from e-commerce platforms. More

hktdc research

Controversial French Tax to Be Imposed on Tech Giants; France Faces US Retaliation

30 July 2019

On 24 July 2019, France’s President Macron signed into law a 3 percent tax on large tech companies' local revenues. The law was published in the country’s official gazette on 25 July. Tech giants will thus have to pay higher amounts of tax in France when doing business there, and not in the countries in which their headquarters are located. More

hktdc research

French Government Proposes Anti-waste and Circular Economy Law Covering Numerous Consumer Goods

26 July 2019

On 10 July 2019, the French Government presented an ambitious proposal for an “anti-waste” and circular economy law (the Law Proposal) to France’s Council of Ministers. The Law Proposal is divided into four sections, which are titled “Information to Consumers”, “Fight against Waste”, “Responsibilities of Producers” and “Miscellaneous Provisions”. More

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