US approves German purchase of Israeli missile-defence system
The United States has given Germany approval to purchase a $3.5 billion missile-defence system from Israel, reports on August 17 confirmed.
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
The Netherlands joins Germany in recession
The Dutch economy has contracted for the second quarter in a row, meaning the country is officially in recession.
Ryanair Charleroi airport strike frustrates Brussels holidaymakers
A strike by Ryanair pilots at Brussels’ South Charleroi airport looks set to frustrate holidaymakers and other travellers to and from the Belgian capital.
France is Europe’s top power exporter as Germany turns importer
France has overtaken Sweden to become Europe’s top net power exporter, while Germany has moved from exporter to importer during the first half of this year.
Poland presents EU with €1 billion bill for transit of Ukrainian grain
Poland is demanding €1 billion to pay for the infrastructure it says it requires to facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain and other produce through the Polish-Ukrainian…
French Government to give tobacco shops €10k cash injection after rioting
Tobacconist shops in France that fell victim to last month's countrywide riots will be given a cash injection by the French Government, ministers have announced.
Ukraine says Poland asking it to ‘commit suicide’ over grain embargo
Poland is asking Ukraine to "commit suicide" with its request for Kyiv to accept European Union import restrictions on Ukrainian grain, a senior official within…
Niger halts exports of uranium and gold to France
Niger has turned more hostile towards the West, and France in particular, after the African country’s military coup d'état on July 26.
Brussels ‘hellhole’ video goes viral
A sharp rise in crime around the Brussels-Midi train station has gained public attention in Belgium after a video of a family left stranded there on the night of…
Meloni may signal plan to exit China Pact during US visit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni could notify the US as soon as this week about her plan to pull Italy out of a controversial investment pact with China, according…
Polish PM threatens to defy any Brussels’ decision to end ban on Ukrainian grain
In a bid to force the European Commission to extend the embargo on Ukrainian grain until the end of this year, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said Poland…
UK wins Tata nod for new ‘gigafactory’ in boost for post-Brexit car industry
The post-Brexit British car industry received a welcome boost after the UK saw off rival Spain as the location of choice for Indian giant Tata Group's new multi-billion…
French pressure drives out American EC appointee
Fiona Scott Morton, the controversial American appointee to the European Commission, has backed out of taking up the role amid pressure from French ministers and…
Should German workers take siestas? Doctors say ‘yes’
The extremely high temperatures in parts of Europe this summer has led a doctors' organisation in Germany to suggest the introduction of a new daily work schedule…
Russia suspends participation in Black Sea grain deal
Russia has suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain export deal, the Kremlin said on July 17.
Switzerland now imports more cheese than it exports
Switzerland's exports of its world-renowned cheeses have been exceeded by foreign imports for the first time.
UN offers deal to Russia to extend grain agreement
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed a deal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that would extend the existing agreement allowing grain exports from…
Not Okay, Honey! Almost half of all EU imports are ‘laundered’
The honey trade between the European Union and China has soured, according to one MEP who branded current arrangements between the two powers regarding the sweet…
EU, Australia fail to conclude free trade agreement – for now
The European Union and Australia have failed to conclude talks on a planned free trade agreement after differences remained unresolved, notably on agricultural…
EU strikes deal on more ammunition for Ukraine
The European Council and European Parliament have struck a €500 million deal to ramp-up the production of ammunition for Ukraine and replenish Member States’…
EU sanctions ‘could cost Kosovo €500 million’
Kosovo risks losing up to half a billion euros in funding because of European Union sanctions arising amid tensions with Serbia.
EU-UK relations defrost but trade remains prickly topic
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has hailed a new "close and friendly" era in post-Brexit European Union-UK relations but admitted issues such as migration,…
EU considers concessions as Russia threatens Black Sea Grain Deal
The European Union is considering concessions that will allow more money to flow to Russia.
Australia says EU’s offer on free trade isn’t ‘good enough’
The European Union has failed to offer Australia satisfactory terms to seal a free-trade accord, Trade Minister Don Farrell said, as small but important sticking…
Horizon science talks ‘crunchy’ as UK and EU seek new deal, says Hunt
Negotiations over the renewal of UK participation in the European Union’s Horizon Europe science programme are ongoing, despite reaching a "crunchy" phase, according…
Brazil’s Lula says EU should ‘give up’ protectionism, be ‘more humble’
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on June 22 that the European Union should stop adopting a protectionist stance if it wants to reach a long-delayed…
Europe is falling behind. Other than regulation, is it still a world leader at anything?
Who remembers the EU’s Lisbon strategy of 2000? Probably not many, so let’s revisit its ambitious goals.
UK dodges Brexit slump, says upbeat French bank report
Despite doom-laden headlines dogging the UK post-Brexit predicting prolonged economic misery, one of Europe’s biggest banks has now concluded that leaving the…
EU agriculture chief slams boss von der Leyen over farmers’ aid delay
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been accused by one of her own top-ranking officials of dragging her feet over compensation payments to Member…
Putin says Russia thinking of ditching grain deal due to West’s ‘cheating’
President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia was considering withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal because the West had cheated Moscow by implementing…