>>22717065

ICYMI

General Research #27745

EU Development Plan without funding-Euractiv

The proposal to increase defense spending by $840 billion is based largely on debt, according to the news outlet

5 Mar, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's attempt to increase military spending across the EU is not backed by cash and shifts the financial burden to member states, Euractiv has reported, citing senior EU officials.

The so-called ‘ReArm Europe Plan,’ backed mostly by debt and fiscal adjustments, asks EU nations to spend $840 billion, twice the EU’s 2024 defense budget, to counter “grave security threats.”

The plan “includes close to no fresh money,” leaving member states to secure “the real cash” themselves, Euractiv reported on Wednesday.

The total figure is based more on “hopes and guesses” than concrete reforms addressing the bloc’s production shortages, the report argued.

Von der Leyen has also proposed raising $158 billion through capital markets and offering it to members as loans on condition they buy weapons made in the bloc or its regional allies.

The requirement could involve at least three EU countries or two EU countries plus Ukraine. However, loan approval criteria and the prioritization of EU-made equipment remain undecided, the report pointed out.

Defense spending will be given an “escape clause” from EU budget rules, allowing governments to shift funds “rather than coming up with fresh money,” according to Euractiv.

While increased deficits could generate nearly $700 billion, it’s uncertain if the measure applies to all countries or only those meeting NATO’s 2% GDP target.

Another senior EU official told Euractiv that over time, governments must offset spending by raising taxes or cutting costs.

Von der Leyen’s push for increased defense spending comes amid growing pressure from Washington. US President Donald Trump has distanced himself from supporting Ukraine while urging the EU to take greater responsibility for its defense.

The shift intensified this week, with news agencies’ reports on Monday suggesting that Trump had ordered a pause in military aid to Kiev. The US president has repeatedly accused Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky of refusing to negotiate peace with Russia and exploiting US support for his own gain.

EU leaders will discuss von der Leyen’s proposals at a special summit on Thursday. According to a senior EU official, the measures should work “very fast and very efficiently” and require only a majority vote for adoption.

Some experts, however, warn that increasing military spending could strain national budgets already under pressure.

https://www.rt.com/news/613758-eu-rearmament-plan-problems/?

>>22717196

Getting those Flight Hours logged for End of Quarter?

House Committee Leaders Slam EU’s TikTok Campaign to Undermine Jones Act

Mike Schuler March 6, 2025

Bipartisan leaders of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have confronted the European Union over its attempts to influence U.S. maritime policy through social media campaigns.

The controversy centers around a recently discovered Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filing, which was first reported by gCaptain, that revealed the EU’s plans to finance the creation of “funny but informative” TikTok-style videos aimed at criticizing the Jones Act, a cornerstone of American maritime law.

Committee leaders, including Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Ranking Member Salud Carbajal (D-CA), expressed their concerns in a strongly-worded letter to EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšien.

“The activities described in the attached lobbying campaign document go far beyond trade negotiations,” the letter states. “Rather it appears, that the EU is seeking to influence United States policy on the Jones Act not through diplomatic means, but instead through an advocacy campaign, including collaboration with previously undisclosed United States organizations and social media influencers.”

The initial FARA disclosure revealed a broader EU strategy targeting specific aspects of the Jones Act, particularly regarding offshore wind power and dredging operations. However, these details were subsequently removed in an amended disclosure.

When questioned about the filing, an EU spokesperson defended their efforts to gCaptain, stating that “the European Union has long conducted outreach in the United States on the question of market access for various maritime services.”

The Committee emphasized that the Jones Act remains vital to U.S. commercial shipbuilding, supply chain stability, and national security interests. They urged the EU to cease its attempts to circumvent traditional diplomatic channels, warning that such actions could undermine American public trust in federal law and policy.

“Constructive dialogue and collaboration, not TikTok videos, is a far better way for the EU and the United States to address international matters of concern, while respecting the sovereignty and security interests of both parties,” the Committee leaders emphasized in their response.

The development highlights growing concerns about the use of social media platforms for diplomatic influence campaigns, as well as the ongoing debate over the Jones Act’s critical role in U.S. maritime policy.

https://gcaptain.com/house-committee-leaders-slam-eus-tiktok-campaign-to-undermine-jones-act/

>>22717391

>>22717292

Hutchison Sells Panama and Other Ports to BlackRock and MSC in $22.8B Deal

Published Mar 4, 2025 12:55 PM by The Maritime Executive

China’s CK Hutchison announced that it has an agreement in principle to sell its international ports portfolio including the controversial terminals in Panama to a consortium being led by famed U.S. investment group BlackRock in partnership with Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), MSC Group’s terminal operator. The deal valued at $22.8 billion (enterprise value) is for 80 percent ownership of CK Hutchison’s portfolio of 43 global ports and in a parallel agreement for 90 percent ownership of Panama Ports Company, which operates the terminals in Balboa and Cristobal, Panama.

The companies emphasized that it is a preliminary agreement after a bidding process run by CK Hutchison, but they have entered into exclusive negotiations and a non-disclosure arrangement. The BlackRock-TiL Consortium is conducting confirmatory due diligence with the companies targeting signing the definitive agreements on or before April 2.

The sale could be seen as a victory for Donald Trump who repeatedly asserted that “China is running the Panama Canal.” Panama had responded by saying it was reviewing the contracts with Hutchison and the country’s Attorney General recently filed a brief in a court case calling the contract extension granted to Hutchison in 2021 “unconstitutional.”

This transaction is “purely commercial in nature and wholly unrelated to recent political news report concerning the Panama Ports,” asserted CK Hutchison Co-Managing Director Frank Sixt commenting on the transaction.

The portion of the agreements for the Panama terminals will require confirmation by the Government of Panama of the proposed terms. The Wall Street Journal reports that BlackRock has briefed the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress on the planned acquisition.

“This transaction is the result of a rapid, discrete but competitive process in which numerous bids and expressions of interest were received,” highlighted Sixt. He called the valuation compelling and said the deal was in the best interest of the company’s shareholders. It includes 43 ports with a total of 199 berths in 23 countries.

CK Hutchison expects to receive cash proceeds in excess of $19 billion from the transactions after minority interest and the repayment of loans. The company emphasized the agreements do not include any interest in the HPH Trust, which operates ports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, South China, and other ports in China.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting the deal would be the largest-ever infrastructure acquisition for BlackRock. It is being structured between BlackRock and the recently acquired Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which became part of the company last year. GIP focuses on energy, transportation, and waste and water infrastructure including acquisitions in 2024 in the U.S. offshore wind energy sector.

MSC has been moving aggressively to expand all parts of its business, including the terminal operations. It recently completed a deal with the City of Hamburg to acquire 49 percent of the terminal operations in Hamburg in addition to deals last year for terminals in key global markets.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Diego Aponte who is Chairman of TiL and President of the MSC Group said, “We are very focused on this industry, and we know that the investment in Hutchison Ports will be a very viable investment commercially.”

The sale would likely reduce pressure on Panama. Hutchison’s involvement with Panama dates to 1997 and the time of the handover of the canal under the treaty with the United States. The company operates terminals at each end of the Panama Canal, in Balboa and Cristobal, and currently holds a concession that was extended until 2047.

https://maritime-executive.com/article/hutchison-sells-panama-and-other-ports-in-22-8b-deal-to-blackrock-and-msc

>>22717441

I saw one that was something to do about mason and templar symbols in US companies