German chemicals giant BASF to shut plants at home while investing billions in China
German multinational BASF is sparking a heated debate about degrowth and deindustrialisation.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Brexit ‘myth’ de-busted: EU to ban smoky-bacon crisps
The so-called pro-Brexit "myth" of a European Union ban on smoky-bacon flavour potato crisps is now set to become reality after Member States gave the go-ahead for…
Dairy farmers to EU: Help us or face more tractor protests
While the latest Brussels protest would be a "friendly" affair, this would not be the case with future demonstrations should lawmakers not take their concerns seriously,…
Rule of the gods: cut access to energy, cut prosperity
In the end, Zeus was right. When he punished Prometheus for giving fire to humanity, the old Greek god must have known that their days are now numbered.
German Chamber of Commerce sees ‘alarming signs of gradual deindustrialisation’
Germany is showing worrying levels of gradual deindustrialization, a new survey has found.
IMF: French public debt to be ‘significantly higher than government forecasts’
The International Monetary Fund has challenged the French Government's projections on future public debt, estimating that the country will end up running a significantly…
Belgium will miss net zero targets, energy to remain expensive
The Belgian Federal Planning Bureau concluded that the planned emissions reduction of 47 per cent by 2030 will not be achieved.
Georgia’s foreign agent law in fact looks very American
Imagine, for a moment, there was a secretive Russian-backed news media organization designed to weaken the European establishment by highlighting its mistakes.
German defence industry says it will need government help to reduce dependence on China
German arms producers will need help from the government if they are to reduce their dependency on Chinese materials and still be able to compete with U.S.
AfD politician hospitalised after alleged attack in pub
An Alternative for Germany (AfD) party member with the regional state Parliament in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania was hospitalised after what is alleged to be…
China dwarfs EU investment in bloc’s own back yard
China is dwarfing European Union investment in countries in the bloc's own neighbourhood, from Morocco to Turkey.
UK economic growth tops Eurozone’s
The UK economy has done better than the Eurozone’s, according to newly published economic data from the European Commission.
Russian exploration vessels ‘discover the world’s largest oil reserves’ in Antarctica
Reports from Russian exploration vessels suggest vast amounts of oil and gas have been discovered in Antarctica, partly in areas claimed by the UK and Argentina.
Dutch grid operator warns of future energy shortages, price hikes
The Netherlands will not have enough electricity to be powered 24/7 from about 2032, with the country's national grid operator warning of future shortages and price…
EC hopeful Ribera attacks von der Leyen for ‘climate mistakes’
Teresa Ribera, Spain's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition, has attacked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for committing…
Journalists barred from Polish Parliament over ‘anti-Green Deal’ T-shirts
Two journalists were refused entry to the Polish Parliament for wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Down with the Green Deal” amid protests in Warsaw…
‘Choose France’ investment push bags record €15 billion in pledges
France won a record €15 billion in foreign investment pledges on Monday, allowing President Emmanuel Macron to bask in the limelight with global CEOs and forget…
Belgian Green minister set to sue coalition partner for alleged defamation
Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten, of the Green Party, says she will file a lawsuit for alleged defamation against Georges-Louis Bouchez, the President…
Brussels Agriculture Commissioner says farmers’ protests triggered reform of CAP
European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski acknowledged this week that demonstrating farmers changed his perception of the Common Agricultural Policy…
Russia intensifies Ukraine energy infrastructure strikes
Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian critical infrastructure facilities in a major airstrike early on May 7, causing serious damage at three…
Germany declares broken wind turbines to be listed buildings
Two broken wind turbines in Schünow (Brandenburg), Germany, that have been standing idle for several years, are to be listed as protected structures.
Belgium buckles, will hand Ukraine billions in tax on profits from frozen Russian assets
Pressure from the European Union and G7 members on Belgium to hand over billions of euros collected in taxes on profits from immobilised Russian assets has had an…
Bundesbank chief opposes joint EU borrowing beyond NextGenEU
Germany’s central bank chief voiced doubts over the need for joint European Union debt issuance.
Bunch of 15-year-olds trounce German foreign minister and teammates
Germany's “green” foreign minister has been reportedly handed a significant sporting loss by a bunch of 15-year-olds.
Belgian PM wants European boycott of Israeli business from Occupied Territories
The move would block agricultural products like dates, olive oil, and wine from the Occupied Territories from entering the EU
Why private equity danger is strangely reminiscent of 2008
If you remember the horrors of collateralised debt obligations (CDO) during the 2007-8 financial crisis, you are either a banker or one of the journalists who pounded…
Xi Jinping visits Europe at a time of internal division
Xi Jinping has begun his first European visit in five years, one likely to be dominated by the war in Ukraine and growing economic tensions between Beijing and Brussels.
EU ‘wealth tax’ to finance climate change?
The European Union must impose a wealth tax to finance climate transition - the move to a low-carbon, more resource-efficient and sustainable economy - says Paul…
Italy ‘aims to return to nuclear power by end of current legislative term’
Italy's Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto has indicated Rome's readiness to reconsider nuclear energy
Gazprom plunges to first annual loss in 20 years as trade with Europe hit
Kremlin-owned gas giant Gazprom said on Thursday, May 2 it plunged to a net loss of 629 billion roubles ($6.