Trump vows to halt ‘all trade’ with Spain
The country is the only NATO member not to have committed to spending 5 per cent of its gross domestic product on defence by 2035.
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
Von der Leyen opens EU market to Armenia in bid to counter Russian influence
Both Brussels and Moscow are explicitly linking their trade measures on Armenia as political tools.
EU tightens steel safeguards and parcel rules to address its trade imbalance with China
Brussels has framed the package as essential for the EU's open strategic autonomy in an era of heightened geopolitical and economic competition.
Costa hails EU-US trade deal as European duties on US goods scrapped
The European Commission has said the removal of EU duties would save importers and consumers around €5 billion a year.
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.
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 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.
Premium
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.
EU talks on tobacco taxation hit a Swedish brick wall
Brussels wants to keep those taxes for its own budget and it is aiming for several billion euros in revenues.
European firms flee Cuba as US sanctions deadline bites
A wave of departures and suspended operations in recent weeks suggested the warning had worked.
Illicit tobacco trade surges across Europe as high taxes feed black markets
Countries with the highest taxes and strictest regulations are suffering the most severe black-market problems.
Andorra adds business and union bodies to EU association pact
The country, a microstate of about 80,000 people in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, is not an EU member.
European Commission seeks Berlin’s backing for tougher China trade line
The push has come as Germany's long-standing reluctance to confront China has appeared to soften.
Germany’s housing crisis deepens as new apartment completions fall to a decade low
The country faces a significant structural housing deficit, estimated at between 550,000 and over 700,000 units.
EU’s Spring 2026 Economic Forecast sees growth down, inflation up
The Commission noted weaker private consumption and investment, compounded by persistent structural problems.
Eurozone business activity shrinks further in May
Business activity in the eurozone contracted further in May, weighed down by weak demand caused by the Middle East war, a key survey showed Thursday.
EP backs renewal of EU fisheries deals with Cook Islands and São Tomé
The two protocols will secure access for European tuna boats and surface longliners in exchange for financial contributions.
EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas calls China a ‘cancer’
The former Estonian prime minister has repeatedly drawn criticism for undiplomatic language, particularly towards Russia.
EU accepts Trump tariff pact with conditions and dodges latest threat
The compromise covers two regulations applying the EU tariff reductions set out in the EU-US Joint Statement.
Putin meets Xi in Beijing days after Trump visit
Trade between the two countries has expande.d considerably since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022
EU renews sanctions on former Assad regime and lifts curbs on Syria’s interior and defence ministries
EU foreign ministers signed off on the changes at a meeting in Brussels, the Council said.
EU and Mexico set to sign sweeping trade and cooperation deal as Washington pressure looms
The deal targets a 50 per cent increase in Mexican exports to the EU by 2030, the Mexican government said.
Russia tightens relations with Taliban
Russia is deepening its engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban Government and announced a "full-fledged partnership" with the Taliban at the Shanghai Cooperation…
Xi warns Trump of ‘clashes and conflicts’ over Taiwan as Beijing summit leaves Europe on the sidelines
The two presidents have held a closed-door session lasting roughly two hours and 15 minutes – their longest direct exchange since their October 2025.
Turkey lifts direct trade restrictions with Armenia in latest sign of thaw
Yerevan considers the step "an important move towards the development of full and normal relations between the two countries".
Trump lands in Beijing for two-day summit with Xi shaped by trade, Taiwan and Iran
The US President, whose last trip to the People's Republic took place in November 2017, is due to hold formal talks with Chinese President on Thursday.
EU bans Brazilian meat imports from September over antibiotic abuse
The Brazilian Government said it had received the news "with surprise", with its agriculture ministry pledging to take "all necessary measures" to reverse the decision.
Spain insists on refusing US use of bases for Iran strikes as Trump threatens trade cut-off
The Rota and Morón bases are jointly operated under a bilateral agreement but remain under Spanish command.
Trump sets July 4 deadline for EU to deliver on trade deal or face higher tariffs
The announcement followed what Trump described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 7.