Starmerโ€™s EU dinner date a big moment in tricky tightrope act

Domestically and on the world stage, the PM faces a series of challenges as he seeks to reset post-Brexit relationsKeir Starmer says he wants โ€˜ambitious security partnershipโ€™ with EUWhichever way you slice it, Keir Starmerโ€™s invitation to dinner in Bru…

Starmer and Badenoch clash over growth at PMQs after Reeves backs Heathrow expansion โ€“ UK politics live

Prime minister faced MPs in Commons after chancellor backed runway expansion at HeathrowReeves says the supply side of the economy has been held back.Politicians have lacked the courage to confront the factors holding back growth.They have accepted the…

Minister dismisses Tory suggestion Home Office prioritises โ€˜policing manosphereโ€™ over combating Islamist terrorism โ€“ UK politics live

Dan Jarvis rules out expanding the definition of extremism following leak of internal Home Office documentYvette Cooper to reject calls to expand definition of extremismQ: Are doctors able to recognise depression? And can they decide if that affects so…

Europe hasnโ€™t grasped the real economic threat from Trump

It’s not industrial policy that the bloc has to worry about, it’s the rise of national capitalism.

Navarro says Trump laying foundation for tariffs to come

The White House trade adviser also urged Canada and Mexico to address Trumpโ€™s border concerns.

Ireland gets โ€˜screwedโ€™ as EU influence ebbs

Dublin “underperformedโ€ in its race for the bloc’s top jobs, especially those in economic policy, which it normally covets.

Olaf Scholzโ€™s business pitch to Brussels sparks election mudslinging

German Chancellor appeals to the EU executive to slash regulation and support industry with subsidies โ€” only to be accused by his conservative opponents of stealing their policies.

Elon Musk told to stick to US politics after latest UK blast

Health Minister Andrew Gwynne says X owner should prioritize “issues on the other side of the Atlantic.”

Always look on the bright side of life โ€” why 2025 might be better

5 totally not tongue-in-cheek reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead.

Rachel Reevesโ€™ push to improve EU ties remains boxed in by red lines

Chancellorโ€™s visit to EU meeting looks for smoother trade to improve growth but youth mobility scheme remains sticking pointRachel Reeves is seeking a โ€œdeeper, more mature relationshipโ€ between Britain and the EU: this was her central message to the bl…

Germany and France are in crisis โ€“ is the next global financial crash brewing? | Larry Elliott

The eurozoneโ€™s flaws and a lack of growth in the EU have combined to malign effect. โ€˜More Europeโ€™ is not the solutionThings are not quite going according to plan for Rachel Reeves. The economy has contracted for the past two months and inflation is pro…

Elon Musk is โ€˜right behind us,โ€™ boasts Farage

Brexiteer says X owner was ‘very generous with his time’ in Mar-a-Lago meeting โ€”ย and floats prospect of snaring some Musk cash.

How Trump divided Trudeau and Freeland

As she quit Cabinet, the finance minister sounded the alarm about Canadaโ€™s preparedness for Trump 2.0.

Reeves to pledge closer EU ties in pivot from post-Brexit โ€˜division and chaosโ€™

First speech by UK chancellor to eurozone finance ministers since 2020 will promise โ€˜business-likeโ€™ approach to relationsRachel Reeves plans to end the UKโ€™s โ€œfractiousโ€ post-Brexit accord with the EU, a relationship she said had been defined by โ€œdivisi…

Elon Musk denies plotting huge donation to UKโ€™s Nigel Farage

Westminster has been obsessed with reports of a potentially game-changing sum of money from the X owner.

The real cost of Europeโ€™s new competitiveness agenda

In this episode, host Giada Santana chats with economics reporter Anna Brunetti about the wind of change sweeping European economic policy and its potential consequences for the Unionโ€™s workforce.

โ€˜A shot at the bowโ€™: Trump puts trading partners on notice

For now, the financial markets are taking the president-electโ€™s tariff threats seriously, if not literally.

Trumpโ€™s tariff threat sets stage for bitter global trade war

Trade experts hail โ€˜new era of protectionismโ€™ with targeted countries retaliating with their own tariffsUS politics โ€“ live updatesDonald Trumpโ€™s threat to impose steep tariffs on goods imported into the US has set the stage for a bitter global trade wa…

ย Trumpโ€™s trade team lay the groundwork for massive new tariffs

Preemptive efforts to counter expected criticism of tariffs signal an even greater shake-up on trade during Trumpโ€™s second term.

EU leaders vow to make bloc more competitive in face of Trump threat

Budapest meeting finds consensus on need to raise growth and productivity as โ€˜America firstโ€™ protectionism loomsEU leaders meeting in Budapest have signed a declaration aimed at boosting the blocโ€™s ailing competitiveness โ€“ a task given added urgency by…

Speculation whirls as Trump begins vetting for top White House jobs

With Congress potentially under full Republican control, Trumpโ€™s team is emboldened to push aspects of his America First agenda as soon as he reenters office.

Who might make up Trumpโ€™s Cabinet

Donald Trump didnโ€™t engage in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet in the run-up to his election. But that didnโ€™t stop him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television. โ€œHe would be great at this,โ€ or โ€œShe would [โ€ฆ]

Business leaders are worried about JD Vance and the future of the GOP

Theyโ€™ve watched the party move away from them under Donald Trump. Theyโ€™re worried his chosen successor could accelerate the shift.

The Guardian view on Brexit and the Tory leadership: a cycle of radicalisation | Editorial

The party has gone too far down the path of Eurosceptic delusion to have a rational debate about its legacyThe Conservative leadership contest that concludes this weekend has followed a familiar pattern. What is left of a moderate centre-right Tory ten…

UK budget: 5 things you need to know as Labour hikes taxes

Big swings from the new chancellor will reshape the British state.

The silent force behind the Trump transition

Youโ€™ve probably never heard of Brooke Rollins. She wants to keep it that way.

EU next top diplomat Kallas, hawkish on China, teases new โ€˜foreign economic policyโ€™

โ€œI will spare no effort in defending the EUโ€™s values and protecting the EUโ€™s interest vis-a-vis systemic rivals,โ€ Kallas said.

Talks on UK rejoining EU could start in 10 yearsโ€™ time, says Peter Mandelson

Labour peer says in meantime it is essential to try to reduce damage of Brexit deal struck by Boris JohnsonUK politics live โ€“ latest updatesPeter Mandelson has suggested the UK could start talks on rejoining the EU in 10 yearsโ€™ time, much earlier than …

Once upon a time in Brussels: EU picks Tarantino for top competition job

Academic becomes the third Italian to take influential post after a previous U.S. pick was forced out.

What a Trump victory would really mean for Europe

A win for the former president would surely further galvanize the bloc’s populist parties and encourage their normalization โ€” much as it did in the US.

Trade policy: 20 people to meet at Tory conference

POLITICO curates a lineup of the top players influencing the Conservativesโ€™ Brexit and trade policies.

โ€˜Heโ€™s a very, very handsome manโ€™: Meet the ex-pop star turning heads in the UK Treasury

Former Clean Bandit member Neil Amin-Smith is one of Chancellor Rachel Reevesโ€™ most trusted advisers.

Driving on empty: The German government has few options to help an ailing car industry

Economy Minister Robert Habeck will meet with carmakers โ€”ย but he has few weapons to stave off a car industry crisis.

Czech crisis manager set to become EUโ€™s top global dealmaker

As boss of the EUโ€™s โ‚ฌ300 billion Global Gateway infrastructure initiative, Jozef Sรญkelaโ€™s job will be to beat China at its own game.

FS policy: 20 people to meet at Labourโ€™s conference

Looking to influence financial services policy but unsure who to meet at Labourโ€™s inaugural party conference in Liverpool this weekend? Politicians, advisers or policy wonks: Weโ€™ve got the ultimate list of who holds the power in and around the first Labour Party conference in 14 years โ€” and who to have a chinwag with on [โ€ฆ]

Germany retains quiet grip on Europeโ€™s finances

Von der Leyen’s loyalists hail from countries that don’t like splashing the cash. While others may have posher titles, those frugal hands still hold the power.

How Teresa Ribera became the second-most powerful person in Brussels

Spainโ€™s climate expert is poised to become the EUโ€™s competition chief, net-zero architect and economic transformer โ€” all in one.

5 takeaways on Ursula von der Leyenโ€™s new Commission

As the dust settles after weeks of wrangling, here are the key things you need to know.

Starmer โ€˜very interestedโ€™ in Italyโ€™s plan to offshore asylum applications in Albania, says Meloni โ€“ as it happened

UK to contribute ยฃ4m to Italian project on irregular migration, PM announcesHere are some pictures from Keir Starmerโ€™s meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, at the Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome. They seem to be geting on pretty well.Rach…

Spare a thought for poor Ireland โ€“ forced to collect โ‚ฌ13bn from Apple against its will | Jack Sheehan

For decades, US corporations have been enticed to funnel profits through the country โ€“ will this court decision disrupt our cosy little setup?For those who may have missed it: last week, the European court of justice ruled that the Irish government wil…

Franceโ€™s Bruno Le Maire leaves government to enter academia

French Economic and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced on Thursday (12 September) that he would not stay in post after the new government is announced next week, taking on a professorship in economic policy and geopolitics at the University of L…

Europeโ€™s new normal: High energy bills, fading industry and one chance to fix it

German manufacturers are being strangled. The EU is feeling the pinch. Mario Draghi on Monday warned the EU may be staring at โ€˜slow agony.โ€™

EU โ€˜needs โ‚ฌ800bn-a-year spending boost to avert agonising declineโ€™

Report by Mario Draghi calls for additional investment to regain growth and prevent social unrestBusiness live โ€“ latest updatesThe EU should fear for its self-preservation as it faces a โ€œslow and agonising declineโ€, according to a hard-hitting report b…

The great Commission puzzle: Who we think will get each portfolio

Ursula von der Leyen is about to hand out key jobs in her team. Hereโ€™s POLITICOโ€™s version of the next Commission.

โ€˜Nobody in Politics Is Able to Say Itโ€™: The Truth About Latino Voters

A top political strategist explains how the Latino vote is shifting.

How Europe should react to the US presidential elections

Regardless of the raceโ€™s outcome, the blocโ€™s interests donโ€™t fully align with those of Washington, and itโ€™s time to finally recognize this.

Harris targets small business tax break in contrast with Trumpโ€™s corporate tax cuts

The vice president looks to beef up her economic plans ahead of next weekโ€™s debate.

What Kamala Harris Should Learn From Richard Nixon

Try not to wreck the economy.

The German problem? Itโ€™s an analogue country in a digital world | Larry Elliott

Germany was once an economic model to emulate but its reliance on industries past their sell-by date is costing it dearSir Keir Starmer is not the first Labour leader to hanker after a closer relationship between Britain and Germany. Jim Callaghan snu…

A warning from the No 10 garden and an EU olive branch. We are finally seeing Starmerism in action | Martin Kettle

In terms of problems at home and abroad, the PMโ€™s aims are ambitious, social democratic and long-term. But he will need continual public assentOn Tuesday, in the Downing Street garden, Keir Starmer delivered a grim, generation-defining warning that โ€œth…

Portugal nominates ex-Finance Minister Albuquerque for European Commission

She faces tough competition for an economics job in the new Commission.

Greece targets regional funding post in next European Commission

Nominee Apostolos Tzitzikostas wants to oversee “cohesion” policy.

Liz Truss considered charging UK cancer patients, new book claims

Britain’s shortest serving prime minister explored ending NHS cancer treatment to find savings to stave off economic turmoil.

Renewed calls for UK industrial strategy to bring in investment and fix Brexit damage

Billions risk being lost without joined-up policy on tech, robotics, renewables and training, says manufacturing bodyUK manufacturers have renewed calls on the government to urgently draft an industrial strategy that will bring in investment and fix th…

Dems defend Harrisโ€™ economic policy but donโ€™t go all in on price-gouging

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was alone in discussing the particulars of a policy designed to stop price gouging.

Inflation is easing. Now, Harris has an even bigger problem with the economy.

Fissures are forming in the economy just as the Fedโ€™s long-running fight against inflation looks to be nearing its conclusion.

No more fiscal favours? Calls to tax super-rich gain traction around world

Even rightwing governments are joining in with G20-led push to make wealthy pay, with Italy doubling flat tax on foreign incomeBusiness live โ€“ latest updatesCalls for higher taxes on the super-rich are gaining traction and even conservative governments…

Your Tim Walz policy guide: Where he stands on abortion, unions, energy and more

The Minnesota governor may bring rural appeal but his policies reflect a progressive agenda.

Austria nominates Finance Minister Brunner as EU commissioner

He will have to compete against Irish and Dutch candidates for an economics portfolio.

Yellen says $3T of fresh capital is needed annually to fight climate change

The Treasury secretary called the shift to a low-carbon global economy โ€œthe single greatest opportunity of the 21st century.โ€

Trumpโ€™s courting of the crypto industry could spell trouble for Europe

Trumpโ€™s about-turn on crypto-assets โ€” and his pick of crypto-evangelist running mate JD Vance โ€” resurfaces a nightmare scenario for EU policymakers.

Von der Leyen is in! Let the fighting over the next European Commission begin.ย 

EU leaders will fight back against โ€œtoo powerfulโ€ von der Leyen as she assembles her team.

The MEPs who actually matter

Here are 11 EU lawmakers to keep your eye on in the new term.

The Trump-Vance ticket is a repudiation of free-market conservatism

The last time he chose a running mate, Donald Trump tried to reassure people with traditionally conservative economic views. Not this time.

Labour will not boost military spend without economic growth, says minister

Comments come as PM begins two-day US visit to urge Nato member countries to increase defence spendingโ€ข UK politics live โ€“ latest updatesโ€ข Nato summit โ€“ live updatesThe Labour government will not increase spending on the military unless it is also able…

The Strange Future After a Second Trump Term

The dollar will decline, Europe will rise, and Asia will nuclearize.

Former PM Liz Truss loses seat as Tories get smashed in UK election โ€” live updates

Elsewhere: Keir Starmer is in, Nigel Farage gets elected and SNP suffer thrashing.

US political uncertainty crashes central bank retreat in Portugal

Reports of financial chaos in France have been vastly overstated, Europe’s economic elite say. Instead, the U.S. election is the one to watch.

French election: Rivals unite against Le Penโ€™s far right

Hundreds of candidates from Macron’s camp and the left-wing alliance withdraw in an effort to keep the National Rally out.

Starmer will have to walk a US-China tightrope

There’s already some discord between the two countries when it comes to China, but there are areas where they could work on similar approaches.

Investors too confused by French election to panic โ€” yet

Markets will certainly make their position known if politicking threatens to stretch public finances.

The disaster of Brexit should not be ignored in this election | Letters

Politicians are refusing to acknowledge the link between Brexit and falling living standards, says Robin Prior, while Chris Webster says voters must accept responsibility for their choicesLarry Elliott is correct that Brexit is a live issue in this ele…

Labour to seek โ€˜stable positionโ€™ with Europe rather than reopen Brexit debate

Shadow business secretary says trying to rejoin single market or customs union would cause โ€˜more difficultiesโ€™Labour would rather have stability in the UKโ€™s relationship with the Europe than try to seek accelerated economic growth by rejoining the EUโ€™s…

Hungary is flirting with China โ€” at what cost to the EU?

Budapestโ€™s friendly ties with Beijing run contrary to Brusselsโ€™ de-risking efforts.

Starmerโ€™s growth plan โ€˜doomedโ€™ without access to EU markets, warn economists

Labour leader told if elected he will have to rejoin the customs union to meet partyโ€™s manifesto pledges, while 56% of voters say Brexit was bad for economyA Labour government under Keir Starmer will fail to maximise the UKโ€™s economic growth unless it …

Draghi backs French-style trade, industrial policy

Higher trade barriers, more subsidies, and bigger European companies, are all part of the solution.

Macronโ€™s high-risk election puts Franceโ€™s economy on the line

The rise of the far right is sending tremors through financial markets and could push French debt deeper into the danger zone.

Former Poland PM: Europeโ€™s impossible trinity

EU decision-makers want to secure all their objectives, everywhere, and do it all at once. However, their plans donโ€™t reflect real-world realities.

UK clothing sales to EU plummet as Brexit red tape deters exporters

Small and medium-sized firms badly hit as huge drop in apparel sales helps fuel 18% slide in all-non food exportsUK exports of clothing and footwear to the EU have dived since Brexit, according to a new study that shows the extent to which complex regu…

Ursula von der Leyenโ€™s secret climate crusadeย 

Has the European Commission president given up on her green agenda going into a possible second term โ€” or is she just biding her time?

Worldโ€™s largest food awards move judging panel from UK to Ireland to avoid Brexit red tape

Due to new import controls, a judging session for the Great Taste awards is being held outside the UK for the first time in 30 yearsThe Great Taste awards are a British success story โ€“ the worldโ€™s largest food awards, celebrating the best products on t…

Thereโ€™s a hard-right tidal wave about to hit Europe โ€“ and it will only make the economic crisis worse | Gordon Brown

Near-zero growth has crushed living standards, sending voters to populist demagogues. But they have no solutions to offerBy the time of the European parliament elections in June, this yearโ€™s rightward ebb in European politics will have turned into a ti…

Macron, Le Maire feud flares up amid Franceโ€™s fiscal woes

The French president is agitated by his finance ministerโ€™s calls for drastic spending cuts ahead of the European election, where his centrists are likely to face a drubbing.

German economy to nearly flatline this year, Kiel, ifo Institutes say

Frankfurt, Germany, March 27, 2024 (AFP) – The German economy is expected to barely grow this year, leading economic institutes said Wednesday, as weak demand at home and abroad slows the path to recovery.Europe’s largest economy will expand by just 0….

US hits Apple with major antitrust suit

The iPhone maker is the last of the major tech companies in recent years to face U.S. antitrust action.

UK politics: Jeremy Hunt hints at October election โ€“ as it happened

Chancellor says date would allow a spending review to be carried out in time for next AprilSir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory MP and former business secretary, has described as โ€œbarmyโ€ a ruling from Ofcom saying that GB News broke impartiality rules because…

โ€˜Pussyfooting around Putin doesnโ€™t workโ€™: Canadaโ€™s deputy PM is calling out the West

Chrystia Freeland is fighting for Ukraine โ€” and for political survival.

Kristalina Georgieva wins backing to run for second term as IMF chief

Bulgariaโ€™s โ€˜eternal optimistโ€™ in favour with European finance ministers after first five-year stint encompassing Covid and UkraineThe head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, will run for a second five-year term after being nomina…

What we need is a European armament commissioner

The current procurement model isnโ€™t only expensive, fragmented and bureaucratic but, above all, it wonโ€™t be enough to counter the real threat posed by Putin.

Labour slash green spending pledge in major U-turn

UK opposition party’s pledge to spend ยฃ28 billion a year on a cleaner economy ditched after months of dithering.

Saving Conservatism: The center must hold

As the specter of populism now stretches across the West, itโ€™s diminishing our collective ability to check the advance of authoritarianism.

Labour rules out raising corporation tax above 25% in next parliament

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves tells business summit of measures to boost investment, productivity and certaintyLabour will not raise corporation tax above its current rate of 25% during the next parliament, the party has pledged, in an attempt to off…

How Britain learned to love Keir Starmerโ€™s โ€˜boring, snoringโ€™ right-hand woman

Rachel Reeves’ low key approach seems to be striking a chord with voters.

Adopting rightwing policies โ€˜does not help centre-left win votesโ€™

Study of European electoral data suggests social democratic parties alienate supporters by moving towards the political centre Adopting rightwing policies on issues such as immigration and the economy does not help centre-left parties win votes, accord…

The Guardian view on strikes and protests in Germany: this is no time for austerity

Olaf Scholz needs a new economic approach to heal divisions in a country renowned for its consensual politicsFor several decades, German politics and society have been shaped by two fundamental features โ€“ both of which have contributed to an enviable a…