Philip Morris International urges EU to treat tobacco like any other legal industry
The appeal comes as the European Commission prepares major reviews of tobacco taxation and product rules.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Trump takes final swipe at outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
He wished him well while underscoring disagreements over North Sea oil production and net zero priorities.
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French Greens call for five days of ‘climate leave’ per year
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China hits 10 US defence and rare-earth firms with export curbs as trade truce frays
The measures were announced by China's Commerce Ministry, which said domestic exporters would be barred from supplying "dual-use" goods to the listed firms.
EU establishment rallies behind new ‘European’ and anti-Musk social network W
Among W's early users are Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Christine Lagarde.
EU leaders stop short of China trade crackdown despite mounting deficit
The 27 asked the European Commission to study new measures, though Germany and Spain resisted a harder line on Beijing.
European Parliament approves EU-US tariff deal branded ‘unbalanced and unfair’
At the heart of the dispute has been Trump's drive to cut the US trade deficit with the EU and China under his "America First" agenda.
Rutte welcomes US-Iran deal and offers NATO help to keep Hormuz open
The agreement created an opportunity to ensure Iran never obtained a nuclear weapon, NATO Secretary General said.
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Lobbying in Brussels hits record high amid regulatory overhaul
The report identifies 173 companies and trade associations that each declare annual lobbying budgets of at least €1 million.
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EU member states clash over figures for next long-term budget
Ministers did agree the outline of several new instruments, including a single national and regional plan for each country.
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Trump threatens 100 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne over digital tax
The US is France’s largest export market for wine, accounting for roughly one-fifth of total French wine and spirits exports.
Iran declares war with US and Israel ‘officially over’ as oil prices ease
Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the conflict had ended on all fronts.
Oil ships begin moving through Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran truce takes shape
Washington and Tehran reached a preliminary agreement on June 14 to halt hostilities and reopen the waterway.
G7 allies seek common ground with Trump after Iran accord
European leaders are impatient to see the Strait reopened after the limiting of shipping traffic during the war caused a spike in global energy prices.
Brussels welcomes US-Iran deal and presses for toll-free reopening of Hormuz
Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Kaja Kallas backed the deal.
Polish public debt exceeds EU’s 60% GDP limit
The rising debt in Poland has been driven by one of the fastest growing budget deficits in the EU.
US and Iran reach deal to end war and reopen Strait of Hormuz
"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," Trump announced.
EU finance ministers back EIB drive to fund defence and energy
The bank's Board of Governors, made up of the finance ministers of the 27 member states, approved the strategy at their annual meeting.
Aviation industry urges Brussels to drop carbon market plan for global flights
"In the current geopolitical context, extending the EU ETS beyond intra-EEA flights will likely provoke an even stronger international backlash than in 2012".
Spanish defence firms offer to build new fighter after FCAS collapse
The companies said prolonged uncertainty threatened not only their own expertise and resources but also the stability of their partners and supply chains.
ECB raises rates for first time since 2023
From June 17, the deposit facility rate rises to 2.25 per cent, the main refinancing rate to 2.40 per cent and the marginal lending rate to 2.65 per cent.
Trump threatens to seize Iran’s Kharg Island and take ‘total control’ of its oil
The US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports that has sharply reduced exports.
Belgium cracks down on radical climate activists
Several activists were taken into custody for questioning, with at least some remaining in detention.
Council and Parliament strike deal on ETS2 Market Stability Reserve ahead of 2028 launch
The deal aims to provide greater price stability, particularly to combat sharp price spikes, and predictability for the controversial system.
EU strikes deal to cut red tape for defence investment and procurement
National law could still allow exceptions to automatic approval where there was a serious risk to human health or national security.
Brussels seeks to mobilise €25 billion for Mediterranean renewables push
The EC said the scheme, named the T-MED, would help deliver 15 gigawatts of new renewable capacity.
EU raises €8 billion in bond sale as investor demand tops €160 billion
The sale formed part of a €100 billion funding target set by Brussels for the first half of 2026.
Binding CO2 minimum price risks undermining EU green goals, warns leading think tank
“Intervening into one market creates the need for complementary interventions in others,” the study notes.
EU moves to freeze Russian oil price cap to deny Moscow a windfall
The European Union, alongside the G7 and Australia, has capped the price of Russian oil since December 2022.
Von der Leyen’s €1.4 billion Bauhaus struggles to leave its mark as new festival opens
This year's programme has placed affordable housing and what the Commission calls democratic engagement at its centre.