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.
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
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.
Brussels urges Washington to restore 15 per cent tariff cap before summer
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has urged the United States to return swiftly to the terms of the trade pact agreed by both sides in July 2025.
EU ammo supplier accused of profiteering with Soviet-era stockpiles sold at premium price to Ukraine
A major Central European defence contractor at the heart of the European Union’s emergency push to arm Ukraine is facing explosive allegations that it has built…
Ukraine and Israel clash over Russian shipments of ‘stolen’ Ukrainian grain
A sharp diplomatic row has erupted between Ukraine and Israel after Kyiv accused Jerusalem of allowing the import of grain it claims was stolen by Russia from occupied…
China vows countermeasures if EU enacts ‘Made in Europe’ plan
Beijing slammed on today an EU plan aimed to bolster the bloc's industries against fierce competition from China, vowing countermeasures if it is enacted.
Poland to take EU Mercosur trade deal to the ECJ
Poland has announced plans to file a legal challenge at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against the European Union’s trade agreement with South America.
Trump threatens UK with ‘big tariff’ over digital services tax
US President Donald Trump has warned Britain that he will impose a “big tariff” on the United Kingdom unless it scraps its Digital Services Tax, which he says…
Former Polish PM Morawiecki calls for ‘economic NATO’ to keep US in Europe
Mateusz Morawiecki, who was Polish prime minister in the last Conservative (PiS government between 2017 and 2023, has called for the building of a strong economic…
Russian billionaires see wealth grow by 11 per cent despite war and sanctions
Russian billionaires saw their collective wealth rise by 11 per cent to a record $696.5 billion (€595.31 billion) over the past year, according to Forbes Russia.
Lufthansa cancels 20,000 flights over fuel price hikes and strikes
Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa is set to cut 20,000 flights in the coming months to save on jet fuel and deal with additional costs from airline staff strikes.
EC proposes full revival of EU-Syria co-operation agreement
Von der Leyen travelled to Damascus in January, alongside European Council President António Costa.
‘Build Chinese cars in Volkswagen plants,’ says Lower Saxony’s PM
The Minister-President of Lower Saxony has suggested that Volkswagen should consider allowing Chinese manufacturers to produce vehicles in underutilised German plants…