Peace could save European economy — so why are EU leaders sabotaging it?
Europe’s economies suffer under the Ukraine war’s weight, yet Europe's leaders cling to conflict over peace.
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
What negotiations? Top EU trade official admits caving in to Trump
The European Union’s Director-General for Trade has admitted the US steamrollered the bloc during this summer's controversial trans-Atlantic trade negotiations.
Addressing DMA and DSA issues would aid EU and US, say tech players
Telecom and tech companies have urged Brussels and Washington to tackle long-standing regulatory barriers after a common declaration was published on August 21 setting…
Pressure on Merz as Trump tariffs hit German economy
Germany’s economy shrank more than expected in the second quarter as US tariffs battered exports, official data showed Friday, ramping up pressure on Chancellor…
Hungary is right: Ukraine should not join the EU
As US President Donald J.
US trade deal updated, but unhappy EU distillers want zero-for-zero restored
European distillers and winemakers emerged empty-handed from the new European Union-US trade agreement, with both sectors still facing a 15 per cent tariff in the…
China wants to address overcapacity in critical sectors
China says it wanted to confront the problem of its factories producing far more than the domestic market can absorb.
Belgium’s Congo trip highlights mineral stakes amid rebel-controlled region
Belgium’s foreign minister Maxime Prévot is due to visit Congo in the next few days for peace talks and discussions on mining governance, an agenda that connects…
Serbia ‘signs major weapons deal’ with Israeli producer Elbit Systems
Serbia has reportedly signed a major contract with Israeli weapons producer Elbit Systems, emphasising the emerging political alliance between the two countries.
German investor morale falls amid continuing US trade tensions
German investor morale fell sharply in August, a drop that exceeded expectations and underscored how tensions over US–European Union trade have been shaping Europe’s…
Car-export reliant Italy caught between Washington and Beijing
Italy’s car industry, central to its exports and manufacturing base, has been caught between two rival powers whose trade decisions could shape its future.
US lawmakers pressure Ireland over its ‘anti-Israel’ trade ban
A group of 16 Republican lawmakers in the US Congress, led by Representative Claudia Tenney, have put pressure on Ireland over its proposed Occupied Territories…
Mercedes CEO : Europe risks ‘automotive collapse’ over CO2 emissions rule
Europe’s automotive sector faces collapse under the weight of the EU’s CO2 regulations and their “draconian penalties,” Ola Källenius, CEO of carmaker Mercedes…
EU consumer sales rebound defies tariff tensions
European consumers are quietly rescuing EU growth — even while boycotting US brands.
Spain favours European options over US-made F-35 fighter jets
Spain has decided against purchasing US-made F-35 fighter jets and will instead opt for European-made options, the defence ministry said August 6, confirming a report…
Top buyer in world rice market to suspend imports
Rice prices have fallen to a record low after the Philippines announced it would suspend rice imports for 60 days.
Setback for German industry as new orders unexpectedly fall in June
Order intake for the German manufacturing sector has unexpectedly fallen, according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office.
Ukraine seeks €120m loan from Poland to buy Polish weapons
Ukrainian foreign minister Adrii Sybiha confirmed his country was seeking a €120 million loan to fund the purchase of Polish-produced weapons.
US exports more gas globally amid trade negotiations and sanctions on Russia
The US has expanded natural gas exports through trade negotiations while applying parallel pressure on Russian energy flows — a dual strategy that has shifted…
Export-oriented Belgium’s unemployment rate rises as EU’s edges lower
Belgium’s unemployment rate rose to 6.5 per cent in June 2025, up from 5.5 per cent the year before.
India hits out at EU, US ‘targeting it over purchases of Russian oil’
India's foreign ministry said the European Union and US were "targeting" it due to its buying of Russian oil, adding that the moves were "unjustified" and that it…
Despite euro-fantasies, Trump, Xi and Putin do not regard the EU as a sovereign state
Much has been made of the lopsided deal Ursula von der Leyen struck with Donald Trump, which among other things traded zero tariffs on US goods for a 15 per cent…
EC retaliation on hold until Trump reveals details of trade deal
Brussels is delaying its €93 billion retaliation package against the United States, saying it must first see how US President Donald Trump implemented the terms…
In trade as in defence, the US is strong and the EU is weak
The new US-EU trade deal has spawned a legion of critics who allege European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cravenly capitulated in the face of American…
US hits Brazil with 50% tariffs and judicial sanctions
Washington has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on more than half of Brazilian exports.
Ryanair says dropping three French airports over ‘harmful’ tax
Irish airline Ryanair said on July 30 it was dropping three French airports over a "harmful" tax hike on air tickets and urged Paris to change course.
Who will pay for US tariffs?
Despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that “Europe will pay,” evidence suggests US businesses and consumers will be footing the bill for the newly agreed…
Italian police roll up massive illegal tobacco factory
In a significant blow to organised crime and illicit trade, Italy's financial police has uncovered one of Europe’s largest illegal cigarette production plants.
US tech firms could leave EU over DSA, Republican lawmakers warn
US tech giants will abandon the EU if the Digital Services Act (DSA) is not amended, three members of a visiting Republican congressional delegation told Brussels…
Export-oriented Belgium badly needs free‑market reform, reports warn
Even while Belgium's economy remains focussed on exports, its internal market suffers from excessive regulation, fragmented governance, and blurred public‑private…