German government clinches 2025 budget deal in line with debt brake
Germany's coalition government has clinched an agreement on the budget for 2025 that will adhere to the country's strict spending rules following months of negotiations,…
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
China-built EVs hit with duties in biggest EU trade case yet
The European Union will impose tariffs of up to 37.
Germany bans VW from selling ‘sensitive tech’ to China over security concerns
Germany has banned car manufacturer Volkswagen from selling a firm possessing "sensitive technology" to China over security fears.
China and EU hold technical talks on impending EV tariffs
Chinese and EU officials held several rounds of technical talks over Brussels' proposed tariffs on Chinese electric cars on July 4, China's commerce ministry said…
German car industry urges EU to drop tariffs on China-made cars
Germany's VDA auto association has urged the European Commission to drop its planned tariffs on China-made electric vehicles in a last-ditch effort to influence…
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.
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-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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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,…
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
EU ‘throwing out’ rulebook for Ukraine accession
The European Union is "throwing out" its own rulebook to enable the accession of Ukraine into the bloc, an influential policy expert in Hungary claimed.
Scholz’s botched China trip should be a wake-up call for Europe
You would think a European leader spooked by the prospect of transactional politics under a new Donald Trump administration might brush up on his bargaining skills…
EU launches investigation into Chinese medical device market
The European Commission launched an investigation on Wednesday into Chinese public procurement of medical devices, in the latest move to try to protect European Union producers…
‘Russian economy to outgrow all advanced nations in 2024,’ IMF forecasts
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted the Russian economy will this year grow faster than those of the Western countries trying to isolate it.
Fragmented Europe to make new bid for US-style capital market
After years of struggling to raise capital in European Union markets, Mews - a hospitality software firm with Czech roots -finally secured funding by registering…
Germany courts Beijing as Scholz and Macron push for EU-China trade ‘rebalancing’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron are advocating for a "rebalancing" of trade between Europe and China amid Berlin's efforts to…
Antwerp’s diamond chief not forever as he quits ‘over sanctions on Russian stones’
Ari Epstein, the Chief Executive of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has resigned.
China’s trade minister warns EU over ‘green’ tech probes
China's top trade official warned Brussels against protectionism, saying Beijing was puzzled by European Union inquiries into "green" technology exports and the…
This will hurt: France braces for budget cuts
After decades of spending beyond its means, France must in the coming weeks show how it will avoid a budget crunch that is putting its credit ratings at risk and…