Russia takes over assets of Polish-US packaging giant
Russia’s authorities have taken control of Polish-US aluminium packaging company Canpack operations in Russia as well as Danish insulation giant Rockwool.
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
German tax revenue jumps to €1bn record high as economy languishes
The combined tax income of Germany’s federal administration, its states and municipalities surpassed the mark of €1 billion for the first time ever last year,…
EU replaces China EV tariffs with a ‘price floor’. Who benefits?
Replacing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) with a minimum price system would lower consumer prices while raising margins of European manufacturers and…
Mercosur governments say agriculture agreement may need re-negotiating
Despite celebrations and lamenting in the European Union over Brussels’ approval of the bloc’s trade agreement with South American trade group Mercosur, the…
China-EU trade up 5% in 2025, despite disputes
Trade between China and the European Union increased by around 5 per cent in 2025, even as political tensions and regulatory disputes between the two sides continued…
Warsaw and Berlin close to agreement on stationing of German forces on Polish soil
A new defence agreement to be signed this year between Poland and Germany is designed to facilitate the stationing of German armed forces on Polish territory.
French farmers slam Mercosur safeguards as just ‘crumbs’
French farmers and political voices are criticising the European Union’s proposed safeguards for the Mercosur trade deal, calling them insufficient to protect…
US defence stocks jump after Trump calls for 50 per cent boost in military spending
The shares of US defence contractors have risen to multi-year highs following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that he was demanding a 50 per cent increase…
Farmers in Paris on tractors in protest at Mercosur trade deal
French farmers rolled into Paris on tractors today early in the morning to show of dissent against an EU trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur they fear…
Greenlandic MP says there is ‘no risk’ of annexation by US
There is no risk of the US annexing Greenland, but the island needs the US to monitor possible Chinese and Russian incursions, Kuno Fencker, a pro-independence…
France says it will not support EU agriculture policy reform
France will not support a proposed reform of the European Union’s agricultural policy, with its farmers facing a worsening cattle disease outbreak and renewed…
Eurostar suspends ‘all trains’ to and from London
Eurostar suspended all trains between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels today after a power supply issue in the Channel tunnel, a spokesperson said.
Danish postal service stops delivering letters after 400 years
PostNord, Denmark's state-run postal service, will deliver its last ordinary letters on December 30, ending more than 400 years of traditional letter delivery in…
Brussels sanctions, fertiliser wars and European farmers paying the price
The tractors returned to Brussels before Christmas. Farmers once again blocked streets, surrounded EU buildings, and made their anger impossible to ignore.
Analysis: Europeans start to rebel against the prospect of conscription
Blunt warnings that Europeans may not be able to avoid conscription have begun to trigger the first signs of open resistance across the continent.
EU-Mercosur deal postponement gets mixed reaction after farmers’ protests
The signing of a trade deal between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur will be postponed to January, officials said, after farmers staged a show…
Farmers cause chaos in Brussels again
Smoke and the sound of horns filled Brussels’ European quarter today.
Cost of European goods for US consumers up 30% in a year
European goods have become around 30 per cent more expensive for US consumers over the past year.
Farmers set to descend on Brussels in Mercosur protest
Thousands of farmers are to take to the streets of Brussels to protest European Union plans for a trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur and reforming agricultural…
EU Finance Ministers seal deal on €3 duty on cheap Chinese parcels.
European Union Finance Ministers today struck an agreement to impose a flat €3 customs duty on small e-commerce parcels valued under €150 entering the bloc,…
As Europe roars against Russia, India doubles down on Moscow
Vladimir Putin lands in Delhi. Narendra Modi greets him with full honours.
German economy will continue to struggle with minimal growth, say leading institutes
Germany’s economy is expected to expand only modestly over the next three years, as structural obstacles, global trade pressures, and cautious private investment…
Industry leaders warn EU over sweeping tobacco tax hikes
A coalition of international tobacco sector companies, including packaging, transport and agriculture, has issued a strong warning to the European Commission.
ECB says EU has ‘adapted faster’ than expected to US tariffs
The European Union has “adapted quicker” than expected to the US tariffs shock, according to European Central Bank (ECB) executive board member Isabel Schnabel.
Allied military support for Ukraine at lowest level since war started
Europe’s military assistance to Ukraine is losing momentum, with new allocations in 2025 on track to fall to their lowest level since Russia’s full-scale invasion…
Flood of EU money headed for Bosnia ahead of bloc membership
Bosnia and Herzegovina has moved a step closer to receiving almost €1 billion in European Union funds after the European Commission approved its programme of reforms…
China-Spain trade deal saves EU country from pork export collapse
New trade protocols including regional tracing, with help from China, are helping Spain’s pork industry survive the economic fallout of a recent outbreak of African…
A new tripolar world order is emerging without Europe
Europe has had a good run.
Danish EU Council’s presidency pushes for sweeping tobacco tax hikes
The Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, pressured by hard-line NGOs, is making a bold, last-minute push to significantly increase taxes on most…
German cities pull plug on ‘too costly’ Christmas lights
Several German cities have scaled back or scrapped traditional Christmas illuminations this year, citing soaring costs and strained municipal budgets as the festive…