Tariff in EU-US deal ‘burdens’ German carmakers: industry group
The 15-per cent tariff that the United States will apply to exports of cars from the European Union as part of a new deal "burdens" Germany's carmakers, an industry…
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
US flattens EU: Brussels is too weak to be a pole in a multipolar world
The trade deal on July 27 between America and the European Union was disastrous for Europe. The Financial Times described it as “the EU to Trump’s steamroller.
Is an ‘uneven’ EC-US tariffs deal better than no deal?
After tense negotiations with the US, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emerged from a last-minute meeting in Scotland with a preliminary trade…
Hit by strong euro and tariff war, Germany’s Puma sees sales plummet
German sportswear group Puma slashed its 2025 outlook after an 8.3 per cent drop in second-quarter sales, which gave it a €135 million quarterly loss.
No progress in EU-China talks as tensions mount
EU-China talks stalled this week amid growing global tensions and an unwillingness to compromise on either sides.
Volkswagen profits collapse amid US tariffs and electric-vehicle disappointment
Germany's auto giant Volkswagen has reported a 36.3 per cent drop in its net profits, citing US tariffs and ongoing struggles with its electric vehicle strategy.
Investors hope for EU-US deal after Japan secures concessions
Markets have rallied because investors said they believed the European Union may now get a Japan-style deal with the US — after Tokyo secured major concessions…
Baltic States ‘pay €90K’ to host US influencer IShowSpeed in tourism PR blitz
The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have each reportedly spent €30,000 to host US influencer and internet star Darren Jason Watkins Jr.
In holiday hotspot Greece, barely half the population can afford a week off
Greece has remained one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations but, for many Greeks, a full week of holiday has become financially out of reach.
China’s export surge may be ‘frontloading’
China’s recent export surge may not reflect strength but urgent necessity.
EC quietly reveals proposal on Tobacco Taxation Directive
Under the looming shadow of negotiations over the European Union’s next long-term budget, the European Commission has quietly released a proposal to overhaul the…
Irish Government to delay alcohol labelling until 2029
Ireland's controversial alcohol labelling, which was set to be introduced in 2026, is likely to be pushed back to 2029.
EC shelves usual pre-meeting trade talks ahead of summit with China
As the the EU–China summit on July 24–25 in Beijing nears, the European Commission said usual pre-meeting talks will not take place due to “lack of progress”…
EU scoffed at UK-US tariffs deal but may end up with worse
European Union officials had dismissed the UK’s 10 per cent tariff deal with the US as second-rate — yet the bloc now faces a 30 per cent tariff threat of its…
‘To be free, you must be feared’: France to pump €6 billion more into military
"To be free in this world, you must be feared," French President Emmanuel Macron declared on the eve of Bastille Day in Paris.
EU needs to play smarter against China, not harder
When it comes to trade with China, how can Europe navigate the rising storms of geopolitical polarisation? The task is anything but simple.
Belgian pensioners take on more flexi-jobs amid EU labour shortages
In Belgium, pensioners in side jobs now worked twice as many hours as younger so-called flexi-jobbers such as students.
European Parliament official: ‘EU in the dark’ on US trade requirements
The European Union still did not understand what the US wants on trade, European Parliament trade committee chair Bernd Lange told journalists.
German exports to US tumble as Berlin urges quick trade deal
German exports to the United States plummeted in May, official data showed on July 8, as Berlin pressed the European Union to strike a quick tariff deal with US…
Beijing announces import restrictions on EU medical tech and tariffs on brandy
China announced it would impose retaliatory import restrictions on European medical devices and anti-dumping duties on European brandy.
EU under pressure as end of the pause on US tariffs looms
With just days to go before July 9, when the three-month pause on 50 per cent “reciprocal” tariffs imposed on April 2 ends, pressure has mounted for a US-European…
EU and Ukraine strike a food trade deal
After years of contention over agricultural imports and foods, the European Union and Ukraine finally signed an updated trade agreement on June 30.
EU wants more Chinese cash and know-how on EV’s but also more control
As Chinese money and technology pour into Europe’s electric vehicle and battery industries, Brussels is torn. It wants the investment – but not the dependence.
EU wine sector says Mercosur deal can save ‘declining market’
The European Union wine industry has rallied behind the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, framing it as a necessary means to save the "declining market" in the bloc.
Trump fumes as Spain goes rogue on NATO defence spending
All NATO 32 members agreed on an increased defence spending target, reaching 5 per cent of GDP in 10 years.
NATO members delight Trump with defence boost pledge – apart from Spain
NATO countries have agreed to vastly ramp up their defence spending to satisfy US President Donald Trump.
EU, Canada sign defence deal on eve of NATO summit in The Hague
Canada and the European Union signed a defence and security pact as the transatlantic partners sought to better confront Russia, with worries over US reliability…
Steel sacrificed to save EU-US relationship, experts say
Europe’s steel sector says it is being sacrificed to preserve broader trade relations with Washington.
France: stagnation or worse
France, once the steady top performer of the eurozone, has fallen behind.
Spooked by Middle East war, investors quietly return to Europe
Amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East, an unexpected trend has emerged: Investors are quietly moving their money back into European markets.