Trade
Putin wants Russia to muscle in on rare earths race
Moscow is getting into the fight for mineral supremacy.
What if Trump’s tariffs are illegal? It’s everybody’s problem.
Trump reverses course on attending Supreme Court tariff arguments this week
White House discloses details of China trade truce
Carney says he apologized to Trump over anti-tariff ad
China’s pause on rare earth export controls extends to EU
Bulgaria sounds out exemption to Trump’s oil sanctions amid fears of fuel shortages
Sofia argues that its Lukoil-owned Burgas refinery could stop working. Experts say it’s playing for time.
Getting STR rules right: A smarter path for Europe’s tourism
Housing is a challenge for Europe. However, restricting short-term rentals is not the answer, and could harm communities who depend on it in the long run.
Poland, Hungary, Slovakia defy Brussels as Ukraine trade deal takes effect
European Commission wouldn’t rule out taking the countries to court for banning Ukrainian imports just as the EU’s updated deal with Kyiv comes into force.
Hungary’s foot-dragging on Russian oil crashes into reality
Budapest claims alternative supplies from Croatia are expensive and incapable of meeting its needs — which experts and Zagreb dispute.
‘Amazing meeting’: Trump touts progress on multiple fronts with China after meeting Xi
The president said the meeting with the Chinese leader exceeded expectations, and he lowered the tariff rate.
Nexperia theft claims spark ‘deep concern’ from British MPs
Senior lawmakers told POLITICO that the accusations represented a danger to British industry and demand closer attention.
The EU wants to escape China’s grip on critical minerals. Can it afford to?
Ursula von der Leyen has announced an action plan to secure supplies, but without serious money it risks becoming a relabeling exercise.
French lawmakers progress tax on American Big Tech amid huge pushback
PARIS — French lawmakers are moving ahead with plans to double a tax on big tech firms — backing away from a more aggressive push amid fears …
EU’s conservatives hurtle toward reckoning over far-right taboo
The European Parliament’s center right weighs turning its back on historical mainstream alliances in its push to cut red tape.
Russia’s Lukoil to sell off foreign assets as US sanctions bite
Restrictions imposed by Washington will force the company to end its exports to European countries.
EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would jet into Brazil to ink the long-awaited accord on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give the green light.
Balloon-smuggling warrants new Belarus sanctions, Lithuania urges EU
Repeated incursions, some relating to “hybrid war,” should be met with trade restrictions, tariffs and air defense investments, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys tells POLITICO.
Trump dangles prospect of Mar-a-Lago visit for Xi
U.S. president hints at reciprocal summits with Chinese leader next year as trade talks are revived.
‘Framework’ in place for substantial China trade deal, US’s Bessent says
“I believe that we have the framework for the two leaders to have a very productive meeting for both sides,” the Treasury secretary said.
Washington eyes ‘very productive’ Trump-Xi meeting this week
Trump is on a five-day Asian tour that is expected to include a bilateral meeting with the Chinese leader in South Korea.
Trump’s initial trade deals in Southeast Asia have gone MIA
The president is looking to strengthen ties in the region when he arrives in Malaysia Sunday, but is not likely to announce any progress on the three handshake deals he inked with regional powers in July.
Trump to slap higher tariffs on Canada
The president continues to fume over Ontario’s Reagan spot.
Trump says open to making concessions to China to calm trade war
U.S. president is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week.
Von der Leyen touts new plan to break reliance on China critical minerals
European Commission chief warns of “clear acceleration and escalation in the way interdependencies are leveraged and weaponized.”
China and EU to talk raw materials next week
Rare earths and magnets are on the agenda.
Diplomatic bombshell as German foreign minister postpones China trip
Berlin-Beijing relations are becoming increasingly fragile.
Trump ends trade talks with Canada over ‘fake’ Reagan ad
President accuses Canada of using anti-tariff campaign to meddle with U.S. courts.