Germany registers first trade deficit since 1991 on surging energy prices July 5, 2022 Surging European energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left Germany with its first trade deficit in over three decades, official figures released today revealed. German imports outstripped exports for the first time since 1991, generating a €1bn (£862m) trade deficit in May, according to the country’s statistics agency. Exports dropped 0.5 per [...]
German factory prices surge at fastest pace since 1940s June 20, 2022 German factory prices are accelerating at the quickest pace since the late 1940s, propelled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine lighting a fuel under European energy prices, official stats published today revealed. Producer prices jumped 33.6 per cent over the year to May, the biggest rise since Germany’s statistics agency started tracking the data in 1949. [...]
European Central Bank confirms first rate rise in over a decade next month June 9, 2022 The European Central Bank (ECB) today confirmed it will hike rates for the first time in over a decade in a sign that the era of loose policy and low inflation is coming to an end. President Christine Lagarde and co said the central bank will lift rates 25 basis points next month, which will [...]
Brussels outlines plans to bolster EU powers to seize oligarchs’ assets May 26, 2022 The European Commission is set to bolster the powers it has to seize oligarchs’ assets, after the bloc faced troubles in actually confiscating property due to the safeguards embedded in EU countries’ laws. The EU’s executive body set out plans to boost the powers it has to take control of criminals’ assets, with a view [...]
ECB gets more nervous by the day as Eurozone inflation hits highest level ever: Sixth record in a row April 29, 2022 Inflation hit a new record for the 19 countries that use the euro as skyrocketing fuel prices boosted by the war in Ukraine add new burdens to household finances and weigh on a slowing economic recovery from the latest outbreaks of Covid-19. Annual inflation hit 7.5 per cent for April, the highest since statistics started [...]
Eurozone inflation forecast to double this year as industry confidence plummets April 16, 2022 Inflation in the eurozone is anticipated to double to six per cent this year, piling more pressure on the European Central Bank to hike interest rates. Inflation expectations have shot up from an average of three per cent to six per cent in 2022, according to the ECB’s quarterly survey of economists. This is three [...]
Euro zone inflation hits record 7.5 per cent as slowing growth puts pressure on ECB April 1, 2022 Inflation in the Euro zone soared to almost four times the European Central Bank’s target, registering at a record 7.5 per cent last month. European countries faced the prospect of slowing growth and rising costs, with the war in Ukraine continuing to put renewed pressure on gas and energy prices. The EU’s package of sanctions [...]
European Commission urges US travel ban to be lifted for Europeans August 4, 2021 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has demanded Washington lift entry restrictions for European citizens in an interview with German outlet RND published today. “We insist that there are comparable rules for travellers in both directions. The epidemiological situation in the US and the EU today is very similar,” said the EU Commission President. “We [...]
EU pushes ahead with plan to levy border fee on Brits: Will the UK reciprocate? August 4, 2021 The European Commission has confirmed its plans to charge €7 (£6.20) to travellers visiting Europe from non-EU states, including British citizens. The fee will apply with the introduction of a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) before the end of 2022. It will be a one-off fee valid for multiple entries over three years, [...]
EU eyes pandemic exit with 70 per cent of population administered first dose August 3, 2021 Despite protests against coronavirus restrictions rocking the streets of Paris and Berlin last weekend, the EU’s quiet move towards an exit from the pandemic continues apace. The European Union surpassed its target of injecting at least one jab into the arms of 70 per cent of its population by the end of July. And according [...]