The Bundesbank says 2025 spells big trouble for German economy – POLITICO

The Bundesbank says 2025 spells big trouble for German economy – POLITICO

The Bundesbank flagged that the labor market, which it had previously expected to sustain the post-pandemic recovery, is now also visibly weakening. Unemployment is already at its highest in four years, at 6.1 percent of the workforce, and a wave of layoff announcements in the manufacturing sector — most notably at automaker Volkswagen — has … Read more

Europe in the line of fire as Trump threatens trade war with China – POLITICO

Europe in the line of fire as Trump threatens trade war with China – POLITICO

“The number one issue is not NATO, not even Ukraine, as serious as that is. The number one issue is the displacement of Chinese exports that are going to the U.S. and will now go to Europe,” said Anthony Gardner, who served as U.S. ambassador to the European Union just before Trump’s first mandate. “There … Read more

Trump 2.0 is already stoking divisions within the European Central Bank – POLITICO

Trump 2.0 is already stoking divisions within the European Central Bank – POLITICO

He appeared to get support on Thursday from the influential Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau, who argued that “the balance of risks on growth and inflation is … shifting to the downside,” and that possible U.S. tariffs are unlikely to change the eurozone inflation outlook in particular. The ECB cut its benchmark … Read more

Barnier spurns Germany, heads to Italy for first bilateral visit – POLITICO

Barnier spurns Germany, heads to Italy for first bilateral visit – POLITICO

French presidents and prime ministers often go to Germany for their firsts visits abroad to acknowledge the key role the Franco-German engine has played in keeping Europe peaceful and economically bound together since the end of World War II. The fact that Barnier is headed to Rome may be a sign that France is looking … Read more

Trump’s tariff war is imminent, Macron and Draghi warn Europe – POLITICO

Trump’s tariff war is imminent, Macron and Draghi warn Europe – POLITICO

The Trump administration “will continue to protect [its interests] at the risk of dismantling value chains between Europeans and Americans,” Macron warned, while urging Brussels to take action with a more aggressive trade policy of its own, building on the example of recent EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. “Trump’s election is a moment of … Read more

Protectionist moves like iPhone 16 ban could help Indonesia gain investments, but risk backfiring: Analysts

Protectionist moves like iPhone 16 ban could help Indonesia gain investments, but risk backfiring: Analysts

SOLVE LOCAL BUSINESSES’ UNDERLYING PROBLEMS, EXPERTS SAY In recent years, Indonesia has seen a sharp decline in its middle-class population from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many businesses and factories shuttered.  Mr Prabowo has promised to create 19 million jobs and the best way to do that, analysts say, is to attract … Read more

China complains to Prague about EU duties on EVs and asks for help – POLITICO

China complains to Prague about EU duties on EVs and asks for help – POLITICO

Ling Ji, China’s vice minister of commerce, told Czech officials on Sunday that “China disagrees with and does not accept” this decision, according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. He also said that Beijing hopes that the Prague government will “play an active role” in creating “political will and negotiation sincerity … Read more

IMF warns war and protectionism to hurt world economy – POLITICO

IMF warns war and protectionism to hurt world economy – POLITICO

“We have three main policy recommendations,” Koeva-Brooks said, highlighting that the first is “for central banks to pivot towards providing more support to activity where inflation is under control.” By contrast, she added that governments should tighten fiscal policy to draw a line under the emergency measures of the pandemic years, as well as enacting … Read more

Paris backs €15B sale of paracetamol-maker to US fund after winning guarantees – POLITICO

Paris backs €15B sale of paracetamol-maker to US fund after winning guarantees – POLITICO

“We have obtained guarantees that Opella will remain and develop in France,” Armand said. “Our demands regarding employment, production and investment will be respected.” The takeover has proven highly controversial in France, with politicians from across the political spectrum warning it could threaten manufacturing jobs and thwart Europe’s push to secure its supply chains for critical … Read more

Amid ‘new Cold War’, Singaporeans need to brace for turbulent, difficult phase of global development: PM Wong

Amid ‘new Cold War’, Singaporeans need to brace for turbulent, difficult phase of global development: PM Wong

VIENTIANE: Singaporeans need to brace themselves and be mentally prepared that things may go wrong in this “turbulent and difficult phase of development worldwide” amid a “new Cold War”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Oct 12). Speaking to reporters on the final day of his visit to Vientiane, Laos, Mr Wong said that world … Read more