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…
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
European Commission says Northvolt losses ‘in line with expectations’
European Commission Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné has said that money lost on Swedish battery developer and manufacturer Northvolt fell within budgetary bounds.
Netherlands scraps ‘unrealistic’ 50GW offshore‑wind energy target
The outgoing Dutch Government said it would cut back its ambitions to build new wind farms in the North Sea.
German Government to cut ‘green’ air travel tax
Germany's Federal Government said it wanted to reduce the aviation tax, a controversial "green" carbon tax.
Poland strikes oil in the Baltic with biggest find in its history
A Canadian company exploring potential energy deposits off Poland’s Baltic coast has announced the largest oil discovery in Polish history together with billions…
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.
EU issues new sanctions on Russia after Slovakia signs up
The European Union approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia after months of diplomatic wrangling, with Slovakia having blocked the package due to concerns…
China’s export surge may be ‘frontloading’
China’s recent export surge may not reflect strength but urgent necessity.
Russian universities train students to outwit economic sanctions
The Kremlin-backed curriculum for Russian public universities and private institutions now trains students to outwit economic sanctions.
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.
EU budget talks at stalemate before they’ve even begun
The European Commission's newly proposed budget is so "confusing" that it might get rejected.
Dutch solar park ordered to remove 78,000 panels to protect Schiphol Airport
A solar panel park near Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has been ordered by a judge to remove 78,000 panels after they were found to be blinding aircraft pilots.
US pharma in Ireland drives eurozone output surge
Eurozone industrial production jumped 3.7 per cent year-on-year in May, according to July 16 Eurostat data.
Swedish study shows property values negatively affected near wind farms
Onshore wind farms have had a detrimental effect on the property value of Swedish real estate, a study found.
EU tobacco reforms face delays as tax debate heats up
The European Union's long-awaited review of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) is now expected to conclude in mid-2026, yet another delay in one of the bloc’s…
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 consumer waste now as big as food imports
European consumers now waste as much food as the EU imports, around 58 million tonnes a year, according to a new report.
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.
OECD warns of ‘unprecedented’ drop in economic growth as birth rates fall
The Western world was increasingly facing a shortage of workers, which would lead to declining growth rates and potentially a loss in standard of living in many…
EU wants tobacco tax to fund own budget, Sweden says ‘Nej’
Swedish finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson has come out aggressively against Brussels' new Tobacco Tax Directive, calling it “completely unacceptable”.
European banks aim to challenge Mastercard and Visa with homegrown Wero
Sixteen Western European banks have rolled out Wero — a new payment system aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on Visa, Mastercard, and other US fiscal networks.
EU carbon tax ‘to cost Belgian families €250 to €400 a year extra’
The European Union's new carbon tax, the Emissions Tradings System 2 (ETS2) set to be enforced from 2027, was likely to cost Belgian families €250 to €400 a…
NGO ship’s former master Rackete quits as MEP
Carola Rackete, a German MEP known for her activism regarding NGO migrant vessels, has announced her resignation from the European Parliament.
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 corporations promise ‘psychological’ economic boost: €300 billion investment by 2028
Several large German corporations have joined forces to boost investment in Germany’s ailing economy.