Step on it like Buick: Why the EU needs to open its eyes and look outside the Chinese electric car window

Just last Friday Stefan Szejurny, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, came out to openly say that the EU should stop being “naive” and enforce strict protectionism against cars from China and the US. It seems that Mr. Szejurny, old pal of President Macron, in this anachronistic statement that looks […]

Commission opens antitrust investigation into possible collusion between Deutsche Börse and Nasdaq in listing, trading and clearing of financial derivatives

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €700 million Spanish scheme to support strategic investments that add clean technology manufacturing capacity in Spain, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The […]

Beyond Tariffs and Tensions: A Healthier Tomorrow

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. David Reyes Guerrero is a recent medical graduate from the University of Cádiz, Spain. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect […]

Given EU’s underperformance in Gaza and Ukraine can global platforms like the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) be the right way forward?

It was 80 years ago that the world’s largest simultaneous war escalations concluded. It was the same year of 1945 that the United Nations was founded with the main scope to promote multilateralism, global cooperation and peace. Has the United Nations been successful in the last 80 years? In the meantime the books haven’t cited […]

How Von der Leyen gambled with a smile the entire EU economy on a humiliating for all Europeans 15% trade “deal” with Trump

Despite Von der Leyen et al. appearing all victorious after bowing to the Orange King last Sunday in Turnberry, Scotland, one thing is for sure, this is not a deal but a complete and utter surrender. The fact that the president of the European Commission went to Scotland to watch Trump play golf at his […]

The hype of trade diversion in the era of Trumpism

Even a first year university student in Economics can get that it is unnatural for trade to be stagnant. On the contrary, every single hour, day and so on trade is bound to go up and down depending on market demand and supply. Especially in times of fierce trade wars coming from the other side […]

Instead of seizing the Rare momentum of the 50th anniversary of EU-China relations Brussels remembers now the Rare Earths thing of last April

It took 3 whole months for the European Parliament to discuss last April’s move of China to impose restrictions on the exports of important rare earth elements. While this had taken place 3 months ago as a Chinese response to the MAGA obscene tariff terror, the Parliament motivated by the “agony” to be productive moments […]

US tariff delay deepens trade uncertainty, warns top UN economist

This article is published in association with United Nations. A leading UN trade official warned on Tuesday that the United States’ decision to delay the end of a tariff suspension by a few weeks risks prolonging global uncertainty and undermining long-term investments and commercial contracts. While the initial 90-day pause on so-called “reciprocal” tariffs offered some […]

Sudden escalation of trade tensions sends shockwaves through global economy

This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid escalating trade tensions and growing policy uncertainties, the global economy stands at a fragile turning point, according to a new report on Thursday from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Tariff-driven price pressures are adding to inflation risks, leaving trade-dependent economies particularly […]

A historic course correction: how the world’s shipping sector is setting sail for net zero

This article is published in association with United Nations. Long overlooked as a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, the shipping industry is now at the forefront of a unique display of international cooperation. The shift signals that even the world’s largest transport sector can be steered toward climate accountability. Every day, tens of thousands […]

50 year anniversary of China-EU relations: why the EU should care much more

2025 marks 50 years of official diplomatic relations between the European Union and China and the Chinese Mission organized this week in Brussels a large reception to celebrate and meet the European counterparts. The event coincided with the positive news that China lifted the 2021 sanctions against MEPs, an act of reciprocation on the EU’s […]

Global growth on recessionary path amid trade tensions and uncertainty

This article is published in association with United Nations. The world economy is on a recessionary trajectory as global growth is expected to slow to 2.3 per cent this year due to escalating trade tensions and uncertainty, the UN trade and development body, UNCTAD, said in a new report published on Wednesday.  The projection is below […]

US tariffs move could see three per cent fall in global trade, says top UN economist

This article is published in association with United Nations. Global trade could shrink by three per cent as a result of the United States’ new tariff measures which in the longer term could reshape and boost as-yet untapped regional commercial links, a top UN economist confirmed on Friday. “There will be shifting, I think, in supply […]

Spare developing countries from new US tariffs: UN trade chief

This article is published in association with United Nations. As governments and global markets struggle to deal with the deep concerns and disruptions caused by volatility overtrade tariffs, Rebeca Grynspan, the head of the UN trade and development agency (UNCTAD), told UN News on Thursday that the poorest countries – whose activities have a negligible effect […]

Liberation Day or Return to the Middle Ages? Trump bends it like the infamous President Hoover of the 1930s Great Depression

As we write distinctly from most of the outlets out there, we won’t start with the elephant in the room, the tariffs. We will start instead with the last scene of yesterday’s “Liberation Day” promulgation of the notorious Trump administration. He rambled on and he propagated infinite trade wars for an hour with his long […]

Tariffs: Job protectors or trade killers?

This article is published in association with United Nations. The word “tariff” has been catapulted from the business pages to the headlines over the last few months, as major economies impose or threaten them on other nations. But tariffs are not just a blunt weapon to be used in geopolitical brinkmanship: they can, if used effectively, […]

MAGA My God: Trump’s full trade war against China, EU, Canada, Mexico, you name it

Bang, the new US administration recently launched 25% tariffs on EU steel and aluminium, almost everything imported from Canada and Mexico as well as 20% on Chinese imports. The Wall Street stock exchange felt its worst day last Monday with investors in panic after Trump’s promulgation of trade wars against everybody. MAGA (Make America Great […]

As Inflation Recedes, Global Economy Needs Policy Triple Pivot

This article is published in association with IMF. Growth is projected to hold steady, but amid weakening prospects and rising threats, the world needs a shift in policy gears Let’s start with the good news: it looks like the global battle against inflation has largely been won, even if price pressures persist in some countries. After […]

Commission discloses to interested parties draft definitive findings of anti-subsidy investigation into imports of battery electric vehicles from China

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, as part of its ongoing anti-subsidy investigation, the European Commission has disclosed to interested parties the draft decision to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China. This draft decision reflects the comments received from interested parties on […]

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s Statement at the Conclusion of the Third Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors

This article is published in association with IMF. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered the following remarks at the third meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: “I would like to thank the Government of Brazil for its generous hospitality, and Minister Haddad and […]

Can South Africa G-20 Presidency Bring Public Finance into the Digital Era?

This article is published in association with IMF. Cathal Long On July 18, 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa gave a speech to open South Africa’s new parliament outlining the Government of National Unity’s priorities and plans for the next 5 years. Digital government enthusiasts will be excited about his use of the term digital public infrastructure (DPI) […]

Management of Botswana’s Diamond Revenues

This article is published in association with IMF. The Botswana economy is heavily dependent on diamonds, which account for around 80% of exports, one third of fiscal revenues, and one quarter of GDP. The country is the world’s largest diamond producer, by value. But the economy is small (with total GDP in the region of US$ […]

A Stocktake on Top-Down and Medium-Term Budgeting in OECD Countries

This article is published in association with IMF. The OECD Senior Budget Officials Committee (SBO) is a network of senior budget officials from OECD member countries. It serves as a platform for exchanging information and experiences on budgetary frameworks and procedures. The SBO conducts comprehensive surveys every few years, such as the 2023 OECD SBO Survey […]

Humongous tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles: is Brussels shooting itself in the foot?

When your own major car companies slam your antidumping duties on electric vehicles, then you know you just made a terrible mistake, right? It was last week that the European Commission launched additional record tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles ranging from 17.4% to 38.1%, and if one adds to those the existing ones of 10%, […]

Global trade could more than double in 2024. Here’s why

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum Author: Andrea Willige, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda Global trade is set to increase by more than two-fold this year, driven by low inflation and a booming US economy. That’s according to the three major international economic organizations – the […]

President Xi’s European tours in France, Serbia and Hungary: China’s official last call to EU to ditch trade war parroting and come to its senses?

After five years China’s President Xi Jinping seized the momentum for a European tour, amidst tough trade tensions with the EU and a turbulent global scence. Why now? First, a major anti-subsidy EU probe against Chinese electric cars is being cooked by Brussels in the coming weeks or so. Actually, the deadline for the EU […]

Funding the green technology innovation pipeline: Lessons from China

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Sha Song, Partnership Specialist, China Climate Action, World Economic Forum According to the most recent IPCC report, we have hit a global record for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by pumping out 57.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent into […]

Here’s what to know about the EU-US Trade and Technology Council 

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Johnny Wood, Writer, Forum Agenda US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Commission Executive VP Valdis Dombrovskis were among the US and EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) officials who gathered in Belgium for a two-day summit […]

Solar panels, electric cars and microchips: the beginning of an EU trade war against China?

It looks like 2024 is set to be a year of EU probes and tariffs against Chinese companies. In February, the EU in its 13th package of sanctions against Russia included a few Chinese firms with the allegation they help Russia in its war with Ukraine. Last month, the EU announced that it has found […]

Is this a pivotal moment for the rise of the ‘middle powers’?

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Alejo Czerwonko. Chief Investment Officer, Emerging Markets, Americas, UBS AG The global geopolitical map is experiencing its deepest reconfiguration in decades. Global trade is being rerouted, supply chains are being redesigned and new security alliances are being forged. All […]

Explainer: What is the European Free Trade Association?

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Victoria Masterson, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda Four countries in Europe have signed a landmark free trade deal with India. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have made the deal through their regional trade organization, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The […]

International trade: What you need to know this month

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Laura GerlIntern, Platform for Shaping the Future of Mobility, World Economic Forum 1. EU to end competition exemptions for shipping lines The shipping industry is due to lose its exemption from EU competition laws, in a move that […]

What is the EU Digital Markets Act and what does it mean for tech companies and consumers?

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Andrea Willige, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda The European Union’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to regulate the power of big tech companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon, with significant fines for non-compliance.The DMA sets obligations for these […]

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