‘Don’t worry, we won’t poison you,’ Brazil tells EU
Brazil has told the European Union not to fear Mercosur imports, dismissing claims its products will “poison” the bloc's markets.
Trade
Latest reporting and analysis on trade.
India’s Bajaj Auto takes over KTM, Europe’s biggest motorcycle maker
Indian automotive group Bajaj Auto has gained control of KTM, Europe’s biggest producer of motorcycles.
EU struggling to renew its ageing farming workforce
Europe’s farms are facing a growing generational crunch.
Airbus scores major contract with Dubai low-cost carrier for 150 jets
European aircraft producer Airbus has announced the signing of a major contract with Flydubai, a low-cost airline headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Austrian Government to outlaw ‘shrinkflation’ but inflation stays high
The Austrian government said it will introduce measures to curb so-called "shrinkflation".
China clamps down on exports of non-restricted materials, analysts warn
China is tightening its grip on materials Europe needs for sensitive technologies such as defence, despite those materials not being officially restricted.
With the bridge, Salvini seeks to revive Italy’s Lega party
When Italy’s prosecutors temporarily blocked construction of the bridge connecting Sicily with the mainland on October 29, the decision immediately shook the government.
Hungary to sue EU over ban on Russian gas imports
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said today that his government would take the European Union to court over its decision last month to phase out Russian gas…
German exports to US rebound after tariff-driven declines
German exports to the United States rebounded in September after months of decline following the introduction of US tariffs, helping drive a bigger-than-expected…
Too big to fail? Saving Ukraine would cost Europe almost $400 billion
In the history of ideas around war and strategic confrontation, there are strokes of genius, grave mistakes, and everything in between.
Two in five German industrial companies plan job cuts in 2026
Sentiment in Germany’s industrial sector is at rock bottom with more than 40 per cent of companies planning to reduce their workforce in the coming year.
Volkswagen Group posts €1 billion loss for third quarter
Volkswagen Group, Germany’s biggest vehicle manufacturer, lost €1.07 billion between July and September, according to an earnings release.
EU softens tone on smoking products
Brussels has circulated a revised, less combative, compromise proposal for a unified EU position on the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco…
Mercedes tries to reassure investors amid fears of chip shortages
The Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius has sought to calm growing concerns over chip shortages, saying the German carmaker is “covered for now” regarding the essential…
EU seeks to pull Uzbekistan away from China’s orbit
The European Union has taken a step towards pulling Uzbekistan away from China’s growing sphere of influence — using trade, investment and raw materials cooperation…
EU could end up in an ‘economic cocoon’ says India minister
The European Union has too many regulations and meeting them all was “nearly impossible”, according to India's commerce minister.
Germany to buy Israeli missiles in €2 billion deal despite weapons embargo
Germany is refusing to sell weapons to Israel but has no problem buying Israeli missiles, to judge by a deal revealed on October 21 by Israeli media.
‘We can’t militarily beat Russia, but we can economically ‘, Belgian defence minister says
According to Belgian defence minister Theo Francken, Ukraine and Western counties won't be able to defeat Russia in the field.
Why the West’s war on industry has become its greatest weakness
The post-war order of free trade is dying before our eyes—and perhaps that's the best thing that could happen to the West.
Nestle says to cut 16,000 jobs worldwide over next two years
Nestle, the Swiss food giant whose brands include Nespresso coffee and Perrier water, will eliminate 16,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years, its new chief…
Belgium calculates US tariffs will cost €4 billion but Belgians may not be the ones paying
A new analysis by Belgium’s economy ministry puts a price tag on US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Belgian exports at more than €4 billion this year.
Machiavelli, Keynes, and using Russia’s frozen assets to arm Ukraine
“Men more quickly forget the death of their father than the loss of their property,” Machiavelli wrote in his classic treatise, The Prince.
Corporate bankruptcies in Germany hit 12-year-high
The number of companies sliding into insolvency in Germany rose by 10.4 per cent in September compared to the year before, according to preliminary data.
Fake ‘freebie’ posts lose Polish farmer 150 tonnes of potatoes
After social media posts claimed a farmer was giving away "free potatoes", locals removed around 150 tonnes of crops in just one day in the southern Polish village…
Greed led Boeing to where it is now, while Airbus somehow stays glorious
Is there a happy harbinger in the news that sales of the largely (but not entirely) French-made Airbus 320 have overtaken those of the Boeing 737?
No markets: EU steel industry with 300,000 workers stands at the brink
Robert Conquest once observed that everyone is conservative about what they know best.
EU risks ‘reigniting US trade tensions’ to save a steel industry ‘on verge of collapse’
The European Union is doubling tariffs on steel imports that exceed its new proposed lower quota.
Brussels sells out Europe’s tobacco farmers and their 80,000 jobs to Beijing
The mask is off.
Stellantis cut 10,000 jobs in Italy, amid broader factory shutdowns
Automaker Stellantis has cut 10,000 jobs in Italy over the last four years, continuing a wave of workforce reductions in industries across the European economy.
‘New EU tariffs on Asian steel will not fix problems at home,’ experts say
The European Union has announced a series of tariffs on steel coming from Asian countries, after the industry has been asking for support for months.