Polish Government claims credit for EC revision of transport deal with Ukraine
Poland’s Government crowed that it persuaded the European Commission to revise a deal on road transport between the European Union and Ukraine, which had prompted…
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
German travellers left waiting as transport workers walk out
Many thousands of Germans were left facing delays as train drivers, airport-security workers and Lufthansa ground-staff walked off the job, spelling further headaches…
EU agrees to ban goods made with forced labour, including many Chinese solar panels
The EU has decided to ban importing goods made using forced labour, in a move that also limits access to Chinese-made solar panels.
Hundreds of tonnes of Russian wood reach Belgium, despite EU sanctions
Belgian authorities have intercepted hundreds of tonnes of Russian wood despite EU sanctions that have been in effect since early 2022.
EU unblocks about €2 billion from suspended funding for Hungary
Hungary managed to unblock about €2 billion in European Union funds as Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government made further progress in the recovery of crucial…
EC withholds some UN funds for Palestine but ups overall aid budget
The European Commission will hold back part of a payment of €82 million for the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) - but increase overall aid…
MEPs back ‘quality’ produce protections amid farmers’ protests
MEPs have backed the implementation of further protections for so-called "quality" agricultural produce in the wake of the farmers' protests across Europe.
German home-building collapses amid economic downturn
Building permits for apartments in Germany fell 27 per cent in 2023, the statistics office said, underscoring a downturn in demand in the construction and real estate…
EC ‘taking action to help farmers’ after fiery Brussels protests
The European Commission has insisted it is already "taking action" to help farmers - despite the latest fiery protests in Brussels.
Brussels burns as farm protests return to the EU capital
Fires blazed outside buildings belonging to the EU institutions on the morning of February 26, as the EU-wide farmers' protests returned to the streets of Brussels.
Kyiv urges Poland to punish those behind Ukrainian grain spills
Kyiv has urged Poland to punish those responsible for Ukrainian grain spills at the border over the weekend, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said…
EU carbon border tax will do little to cut emissions, ADB study says
A European Union plan to impose tariffs on high-carbon imports could hurt developing countries in Asia but is unlikely to lead to big reductions in greenhouse gas…
Czech, Slovak farmers block borders in protest
Farmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other central European countries protested along Czech borders on Thursday, blocking some crossings as they demanded…
Polish farmers spilling Ukrainian grain in border protest
Polish farmers have outraged Kyiv by spilling Ukrainian grain from railway trucks at the countries' border.
Valencia emerges as destination for Catalonian companies as Spanish economy shifts
Valencia, Spain
Ireland and Spain push EU on Israel’s human-rights obligations in Gaza
The Prime Ministers of Ireland and Spain have sent a joint letter to the European Union calling for action regarding the “deteriorating” situation in the Gaza…
Polish farmers plan to ‘shut all Ukraine borders’
Polish farmers intend a total blockade of all border crossings with Ukraine, a trade union said, escalating their month-long strike that began in protest against…
India’s Modi agrees trade ‘corridor’ to Europe with UAE ruler
India and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement on a trade corridor that aims to connect Europe with India through parts of the Middle East by sea and…
America First are not dirty words. This is something Donald Trump understands and Boris Johnson does not
Donald Trump says it and the European establishment goes convulsive, as ever.
Leaf it out! Brits may run short of tea due to Red Sea attacks
Britons may start to boil over if the reported possibility of tea shortages come to pass.
French professionals and companies increasingly moving to Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France
UK port may sue Government over ‘dangerous foreign meat’ risk
The health authority at Britain's port of Dover could bring legal action against the UK Government if it does not reconsider a plan to move checks on potentially…
Spanish farmers blockade motorways ahead of official protest start date
Spanish farmers have blocked traffic on several major motorways and burned tyres, joining colleagues in other European countries protesting against high costs, bureaucracy…
Angry Italian farmers to target Rome
Italian farmers protesting about red tape and cheap imports from outside the EU headed towards Rome in convoys of tractors while their colleagues in the North led…
EU economy to struggle this year while US and Asia grows: OECD
The European Union's economy is expected to struggle in 2024 as other global areas enjoy substantial growth, newly published research by the Organisation for Economic…
Belgian police plough same furrow as angry farmers
As outraged Belgian farmers continued to block ports and borders in the Netherlands, police authorities issued a statement of public support for the protesters –…
Farmers bring EU quarter to a standstill
Men and women from across the bloc burned hay and tyres from early in the morning on Luxembourg Square, in front of the European Parliament, while dozens of tractors…
EC appears to give ground in farmers’ dispute
In response to the mass protests by angry farmers across Europe, the European Commission proposed to put some limits on agricultural imports from Ukraine and loosen…
Eurozone economy flatlined in 2023 with little hope of new life this year
The Eurozone economy stagnated last year, underperforming the rest of the world as former powerhouse Germany struggled with an industrial malaise that has no end…
Despite a foot in both EU and UK markets, Northern Ireland still can’t flourish
Uniquely, Northern Ireland has full access to both the EU and UK market but its economy has still struggled to take advantage, economists and civil society leaders…