But dependence on U.S. LNG will only “increase as time goes on” as domestic output falls during the next decade, predicted Glen Bryn-Jacobsen from National Gas. LNG also pollutes more heavily than domestically-sourced gas — due to the regasification process and shipping — so stepping up imports could all create yet another Whitehall row between … Read more
The trade war between the U.S. and its closest trading partners has been postponed — for now. Tariffs threatened against goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico will not go into effect on Tuesday as originally planned by President Trump, after the leaders of the three nations spoke separately Monday and reached agreement on … Read more
Remember, Trump wants to extend his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is set to expire this year, and would have resulted in over 60 percent of filers likely seeing tax increases in 2026. He’s also floated other tax-cutting ideas, including exempting various types of income, such as social security pension benefits, tips and … Read more
Energy watchers in Massachusetts are paying close attention to President Trump’s tariff orders, especially those that hit Canada with 10% on energy. The organization that manages New England’s electrical grid said isn’t sure whether or not the move will raise energy prices, but Bay State lawmakers predict it will. ISO New England told the Herald … Read more
Trump has threatened to start a trade war with the EU in recent months, posting on social media in December that unless the bloc buys more American oil and gas, it would be “TARIFFS all the way!!!” However, his remarks Friday were the first time he confirmed as much. He did not say exactly what … Read more
Red lines Resuming the free-trade talks with Washington would be a red line for France and put Paris and Berlin at odds. Still, Merz’s more critical tone toward China, which contrasts with the fealty shown by Scholz and longtime CDU Chancellor Angela Merkel, might bring Berlin closer to the position defended by Paris and the … Read more
It’s unclear to what part of the inauguration Zemmour and Knafo were invited or who exactly reached out to them. POLITICO has contacted the Trump transition team for comment. While it would appear at first glance that Trump and Le Pen were made from the same political mold, fusing old-fashioned protectionism with an anti-immigration, populist … Read more
Flattery from Macron Musk hasn’t yet thrown his endorsement behind Marine Le Pen and the French far right. But President Macron — who, like Scholz in Germany, is politically fragile and facing domestic turbulence — is desperate to get him onside. He has been urging the tech entrepreneur, alongside Trump, to attend a major artificial … Read more
At the other end of Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Ukrainians chalked up some successes in 2024, becoming a dominant force in the Black Sea despite the country’s tiny navy, and mounting a counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk region in August. But they are ending this year on the back foot, having lost many of … Read more
China’s leaders pledged on Thursday to open the country’s coffers wider and provide a much-needed jolt to domestic demand in a statement issued after this year’s central economic work conference. This would be accomplished, they said, by raising the fiscal deficit ratio and increasing the issuance of treasury bonds in the coming year. The world’s … Read more
