China tightens grip on crucial rare earths
China's State Council announced the approval of new regulations on the management of rare earth materials, strengthening government control.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
EU Green Deal architect takes top job with Dutch gas firm — without EC permission
Diederik Samsom, one of the architects of the European Green Deal, has raised eyebrows after joining the board of Gasunie, a Dutch gas company, as chairman.
Elements of Von der Leyen’s Green Deal reappear in leaked EU summit document
EU leaders will reintroduce “green" commitments into the EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029, which they are set approve at their latest summit, according to a leaked…
Six EU nations ‘not yet ready for euro’
Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden are not ready to join the euro currency, despite legal commitments to do so, according to the European Commission's latest…
European Investment Bank to boost defence spending
The European Investment Bank (EIB) said it plans to increase its investments in European defence, focusing on elements such as drones, satellites and cybersecurity.
Green MEPs: Renew’s setbacks give us more influence over von der Leyen
The European Parliament Renew bloc's recent loss of members will increase the Greens' influence over European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of the European…
I fly, you take the train: what the elite plans for Europe’s climate ‘sacrifice’
The European Commission has accepted a European initiative called 'Air-Quotas' which aims to introduce carbon quotas for all citizens in order to reduce their consumption.
China warns EU of potential trade war over ‘unfair’ electric cars probe
China's commerce minister Wang Wentao warned that escalating tensions with the European Union could lead to a "trade war".
EU agrees 14th package of Russia sanctions and targets LNG for first time
The European Union slapped a new series of economic sanctions on Russia - for the 14th time.
EU-Ukraine trade: Permit-free agreement for freight extended
Ukraine and the European Commission have extended their freight liberalisation agreement, enabling Ukrainian cargo to enter the EU without permits for another year.
EU electric car sales drop in May as German demand slumps, industry says
Sales of new battery-electric cars in the European Union dropped 12 per cent in May from a year earlier, led by a 30 per cent plunge in Germany, data from Europe's…
EC launches Excessive Deficit Procedure against seven Member States
Seven European Union Member States are under special scrutiny for accumulating increased public debt and deficits.
Brussels greenlights citizen carbon limit petition
The European Commission has approved a citizens' initiative that would legally limit an individual's yearly carbon emissions.
Brussels retreats: Long-haul flights set to be exempt from emissions monitoring
The European Commission has drafted plans to drop long-haul flights from CO2 emissions-monitoring rules.
Austrian coalition government survives EU nature law crisis
The country's climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, voted in favour of the new green rules in Brussels despite Austria's government ordering her to abstain.
Seven European NATO members still fall short of 2 per cent defence spending target
Seven European NATO member countries are still not fulfilling their 2 per cent of GDP defence-investment commitment, according to the latest NATO figures.
China strikes back with anti-dumping investigation into EU pork
China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into pork and pork byproducts imported from the European Union.
Voters realise Green movement is nothing but an apocalyptic cult
In 2005, an American evangelist called Harold Camping made a startling prediction: the world was going to end on May 21st, 2011.
Belgian beer consumption sinks to all-time low
Belgian brewers had a lousy 2023 as both consumption and export significantly dropped, despite the country’s reputation as a paragon of beer production.
China ‘undermining green transition with unfair EV subsidies’
China is "undermining" Europe's "green transition" with its "unfair" use of subsidies for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, the European Commission has claimed.
Ukraine Recovery Conference to focus on ‘green recovery and gender mainstreaming’
European and wider Western Ukraine allies are thinking about the country's progressive future as it fights for survival against Russia.
EU to impose tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Chinese EVs
The European Commission will notify carmakers on Wednesday that it will provisionally apply additional duties of up to 25 per cent on imported Chinese electric…
‘It’s over’ – German economic policy a ‘sheer catastrophe’, stock exchange chief claims
Germany's economic policy is a "sheer catastrophe" as a result of political "fundamentalists" running the country, a senior business leader has warned.
ECB cuts rates even as inflation fight goes on
The European Central Bank went ahead with its first interest rate cut since 2019 on Thursday, citing progress in tackling inflation even as it acknowledged the fight…
Germany set to miss 2030 climate goals, report finds
Germany will not be able to meet its emission reduction target by the end of the decade, a panel of government climate advisers has warned.
German army to boost Rheinmetall artillery shell order by 200,000, document shows
The German army intends to order 200,000 more artillery shells from arms maker Rheinmetall than it had planned, a letter seen by Reuters on June 4 from the Defence…
Eurocrats spooked as private industry shuns ‘green’ hydrogen
A cornerstone of Brussels’ Green Deal, the European Commission warned on June 3 that not enough industry players appeared to be getting on board with the new technology.
Von der Leyen must kill Green Deal to remain EC chief, farmers’ party warns
Sander Smit, who leads the European faction of BBB, said he wanted to see "a fundamental change of direction" in the European Union.
Siemens ‘may cut thousands of jobs in wind division’ as losses stack up
Siemens Energy could cut up more than 4,000 jobs across Europe as falling demand and other economic problems take their toll on the wind industry.
EU Commission to postpone Chinese EV tariffs decision
The European Commission will postpone its decision on Chinese electric vehicle tariffs until after the European election on June 9, German magazine Spiegel…