reuters.com
There are two ways to look at Ursula von der Leyen’s relatively softball fines for U.S. Big Tech. One is that Wednesday’s 500 million euro and 200 million euro hit for Apple and Meta Platforms respectively means that the European Commission president has buckled amid pressure from her opposite number, Donald Trump. The other is that the penalties for anti-competitive behaviour aren’t hugely different to what the European Union would have meted out anyway, and don’t necessarily reflect how aggressively it will target the sector in future. On balance, the latter interpretation is more plausible.
8 months ago
reuters.com
Europe has the martial equivalent of a “how to spend it” problem. Faced with the prospect of a U.S. military pullback in their backyard and a renewed threat from Russia, major powers like Germany and the United Kingdom are planning for defence spending to rise above 3% of GDP. Yet unless the bloc wants to wind up with the 21st-century equivalent of the Maginot Line – France’s vastly expensive border fortification that the German army simply bypassed at the start of World War Two – it needs to direct more of the resulting hundreds of billions of euros to defence technology and innovation.
7 months ago
reuters.com
If Iran fully stopped oil moving through the infamous chokepoint,
it would upend the world economy. But threats of regime change may push Tehran towards extremes. And as they proved in the Red Sea, Iran-aligned Houthis can disrupt trade even without a physical blockade.
6 months ago
reuters.com
Amazon, Google and $3.6 trln Microsoft dominate cloud computing in the continent, making CEOs fret about US government interference. While digital independence sounds nice, shunning American tech is hard. Restricting so-called hyperscalers’ access to data may be the best option.
5 months ago
reuters.com
Beijing’s 91% grip on materials vital to defence and electric vehicles is down to its scale, but also its lead in processing. The mining sector can’t replicate China’s subsidised model, which runs on razor-thin margins. But Western governments could team up to guarantee returns.
5 months ago
reuters.com
Scrapping a tax break for foreign residents has sparked talk of an expat exodus. As those 42,000 people paid the UK 7 bln pounds a year, it’s a big fiscal risk. Yet the impact depends on how many leave and how much those who stay have stashed abroad. Both figures are a black box.
4 months ago
reuters.com
Euro zone lenders’ near-50% share bump in 2025 reflects how a once-ropey sector now yields decent returns. But that means scrutiny over any capital curveballs that could affect buybacks. That may be one reason why BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank still trade below book value.
4 months ago
reuters.com
The Alpine state is scrambling to reduce the US president’s 39% tariff on imports of its goods. Shrinking its trade surplus in products like pharmaceuticals is tricky. The least-bad option is to mimic the EU and Japan with vague promises of increased investment stateside.
4 months ago
reuters.com
The US has changed tack on import levies for the precious metal, echoing a recent rethink on copper. That’s good, and tariffs help commodities traders like $47 bln Glencore pounce on profitable bets. But the incessant upheaval can also create the wrong sort of market ructions.
4 months ago
reuters.com
The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund is likely to provide most of the equity funding for the $55 bln take-private of Electronic Arts. Betting on a US gaming group runs counter to the vehicle’s recent domestic focus. And the returns may not justify such a strategic detour.
2 months ago
reuters.com
A long-term deficit of the conductive metal seems likely as the world shifts to renewable energy. Anglo-Teck’s $54 bln merger might seem like an answer, but it’s a one-off and most deals don’t necessarily boost supply. Meanwhile, building new mines looks tough unless prices rise.
2 months ago
Media DatabaseFind the right journalists
Online NewsroomShape your own narrative
Press Release CreatorCreate and send press releases
Media MonitoringTrack every single online mention
Media Pitching ToolContact recommendations & stats
PR ReportsShowcase the impact of your work
PR CRMManage contacts in easy way
AI PR SoftwareUse AI to save time on your workflow
Social Media ListeningGet a full overview of your brand's presence