Trump not expected to impose tariffs as part of Day One orders
The decision from incoming President Donald Trump contradicts his promise to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexico and Canada on his first day in office.
Trade UK
How Trump could make good on his tariff threats
Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on key trading partners like Canada and Mexico as soon as he enters office.
Escalate to de-escalate: How the world will deal with Trumpโs trade offensive
The Americas, China and Europe have developed playbooks to react to the aggressive tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is threatening. Retaliation is inevitable.
The Davos Man is back
… and heโs running America.
EU fumes as Britain delays banking shake-up over Trump
The U.K. delayed its implementation of global banking rules by one year due to uncertainty over what U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will do.
Worldโs largest battery plant on fire in Central California
Monterey County officials ordered evacuations after Vistraโs battery facility at the Moss Landing Power Plant caught fire Thursday.
Elon Musk stands to get even richer off this UK government plan
The billionaire Tesla owner might be feuding with Keir Starmerโs government, but he can expect a big payday thanks to one of Labourโs key schemes.
Europe needs to step up to defend Ukraine now Trump is back, Starmer saysย
British PM looks ahead to Donald Trumpโs second term, telling POLITICO the U.K. will โplay a full partโ in any future peacekeeping initiative in Ukraine.ย
Meat stranded at UK border after German foot-and-mouth outbreak
Traders warn that dozens of vehicles and their drivers have been held for up to 24 hours after a UK import ban, costing importers more than ยฃ1 million.
German farmers fear โmassiveโ hit from foot-and-mouth outbreak
Several countries have already taken precautionary measures or imposed bans, as the German livestock sector braces for longer-term impact.
Trump vows to create โExternal Revenue Serviceโ to gather tariff income
Former adviser Steve Bannon called on the president-elect to issue an executive order to set up the agency during an event hosted by POLITICO Tuesday morning.
UK bans German livestock imports after foot-and-mouth outbreak
“We will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease spreads,” says U.K. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner.
Keir Starmer appoints former New Labour spin doctor as EU negotiator
Michael Ellam was No. 10 director of communications before working for HSBC.
Starmer banks on AI as UKโs savior as growth agenda falters
Rishi Sunak positioned the U.K. as a world-leader on AI safety. Keir Starmer is adopting a more boosterish stance.
โReengagement with Chinaโ to boost British economy by up to ยฃ1B, Reeves says in Beijing
British chancellor touts ยฃ600M in deals as she defends move to improve relations with China.
How to trigger Trump: Britainโs cozy China trip risks Americaโs anger
“Weโve now got someone who’s incredibly hostile to China coming into the White House,โ said a bank lobbyist.
Good Friday-era politician picked to review Northern Irelandโs Brexit rules
Paul Murphy, who played a key role in the 1998 peace breakthrough, will recommend possible changes to how Northern Ireland enforces EU goods lawโand, to unionist dismay, polices goods coming from Britain.
Embrace China despite Trump, says CBI boss
The U.K. can position itself between the “two 500 pound gorillas staring at each other,” Rupert Soames said.
The method in Trumpโs Greenland madness
The climate skeptic is responding to the reality of the Arctic’s melting ice: more resource extraction, faster trade routes, new military bases.
Olly Robbins, scourge of the Brexiteers, back in UK government
Former Brexit negotiator will lead the Foreign Office.
Macron and Starmer to discuss Ukraine as Trump looms
British and French leaders will discuss Russia’s full-scale invasion โ plus hot-button issues like AI and migration โ when they meet in the UK Thursday.
Trump warns of new tariffs against Canada, Mexico, EU. And maybe Denmark, too.
The president-elect made the remarks during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago.
Biden blocks US Steel sale to Japanese competitor
The president has long opposed the sale to Japanโs Nippon Steel.
Britain wants to reset its Brexit reset
To get talks back on track in the coming year, Keir Starmer and his team are filling their diary with trips to Brussels.
Post-Brexit Britain has a new best friend: Brazil
The love-in between Keir Starmer and Lula centers on climate and trade. Just don’t mention Ukraine.
Peter Mandelson confirmed as Britainโs next ambassador to the US
Keir Starmer praises incoming ambassador โ a former European trade commissioner โ for his “unrivalled experience,” as former colleagues rate his chances in Trumpworld.
Is the British government scared of Nigel Farage?
The specter of Farage’s Reform party looms large as Britain seeks a reset in relations with the EU.
Who is Peter Mandelson, Britainโs โprince of darknessโ US ambassador pick?
He’s an anti-Brexit advocate for closer China ties โ but could Peter Mandelson charm Trumpworld?
Peter Mandelson will be UKโs next US ambassador
An announcement on the Blair-era heavyweight’s new role is expected from No.10 Downing Street Friday.
Britainโs Starmer warns against Trump tariffs
‘We have to make sure we avoid tariffs’, UK prime minister tells MPs.
Britainโs Starmer tells Trump to stand with Ukraine
U.K. prime minister and U.S. president-elect spoke by phone Wednesday.
UK slaps new sanctions on Russian shadow fleet
Twenty ships believed to be responsible for transporting Russian oil have been targeted.
EU sues UK for violating free movement in Brexit treaty
U.K. has โshortcomingsโ in implementation of terms of deal, European Commission says.
Britainโs bold new world โฆ as a Pacific trading nation
With global free-traders on the back foot amid Donald Trump’s return, the U.K. is placing its bets on the tongue-twisting CPTPP.
How Trump is already driving Congressโ China legislation
As negotiations intensified in recent weeks on a bill to restrict U.S. investment in China, recent versions have shown deference to the incoming administration.
Fish, the court and youth access: EUโs demands for Starmerโs reset
The EU sets the bar high for trade talks with British prime minister, according to report by The Times.
โChinese spyโ linked to Prince Andrew banned from the UK
The Chinese national was described by an aide to British royal as sitting “at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.”
UK energy secretary to visit China in early 2025
The planned visit comes as the Labour government looks to renew relations with China.
Poll: Brexit voters would accept free movement for EU single market access
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump’s election victory “fundamentally changed” U.K.-EU relations, polling found.
UK chancellor tells Brussels: We wonโt choose Trump over EU
The U.K. finance minister dismissed the idea that Britain would have to pick sides in a possible trade war between the EU and U.S.
Will Donald Trump kill US-UK-Aussie sub defense deal?
The landmark defense agreement between the U.S, U.K. and Australia could be in jeopardy with the maverick Republican back in the White House.
Trump โcanโt guaranteeโ Americans wonโt pay more if tariffs enacted
โI canโt guarantee anything. I canโt guarantee tomorrow,โ the president-elect said.
Franco-German fight over South American trade deal threatens EU rupture
Ursula von der Leyen granted the wish of her native Germany by flying off to seal an accord with the Mercosur bloc. France, which fiercely opposes the deal, is in uproar.
Starmer: Britain doesnโt have to pick between Trump and Europe
U.K. prime minister rejects “utterly” the idea his country has to pick a side as Donald Trump looms.
Trump threatens BRICS nations with 100 percent tariff
Trump also said in his post that the countries “can go find another โsucker!โ There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the U.S. Dollar in International Trade, and any Country that tries should wave goodbye to America.”
A single point of failure
Why Europe’s diamond control node undermines African sovereignty and the Kimberley Process
โA shot at the bowโ: Trump puts trading partners on notice
For now, the financial markets are taking the president-electโs tariff threats seriously, if not literally.
Chinaโs bid to join major trade bloc kicked into the long grass
Tangles over Taiwan mean Costa Rica will instead become front-runner to join the 12-nation CPTPP, senior officials from member nations tell POLITICO.
UKโs Reeves pledges to โwork closelyโ with Trump as tariff threat looms
Chancellor says she will โalways do what is in our national interest for our economy.”
Trumpโs tariff war is imminent, Macron and Draghi warn Europe
French president calls Trump’s election “a moment of acceleration.”
Is Donald Trump about to wreck Brexit?
The U.S. president-electโs return to the world stage comes as Britain and the EU are resetting relations. Brussels sees an opportunity.
UK: We can be pals with both Trump and the EU
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he wants “good relations with all of our allies” โ and wonโt get into Trump tariff carve-outs.
Britain hugs oil giant BP while preaching climate action
BP is a global force in fossil fuel drilling โ and a major player with COP29 summit host Azerbaijan.
Okonjo-Iweala is unchallenged for second term as WTO chief
Her reappointment could be approved in mid-December, but the U.S. or another WTO member could still object.
Bank of England prepares to cut rates despite U.S. election turmoil
Analysts see a 25 basis point cut as the most likely result tomorrow, but political uncertainty clouds the outlook going forward.
Britain braces for a Trump tariff war
The Republicanโs protectionist trade posture would hit enemies and allies alike. U.K. officials are preparing for every outcome.
China sues the EU over EV duties
Beijing hits back after Brussels imposed definitive duties of 8 to 35 percent on Chinese electric vehicle imports.
How Brexit helped Britain lose the Chagos Islands
After more than half a century, the U.K. is passing sovereignty of the disputed territory back to Mauritius. Why now?
Britainโs heading for a showdown with Donald Trump on China
The Labour government insists itโs not going soft on Beijing โ but hawks are concerned.
EU foreign policy chief warns French energy giant on human rights violations
Josep Borrell said legislation going into effect in 2027 would require compensation to victims of abuses, after POLITICO revealed links between TotalEnergies and a massacre in Mozambique.
UK budget: 5 things you need to know as Labour hikes taxes
Big swings from the new chancellor will reshape the British state.
Visas for under-30s โessentialโ to Brexit reset, leaked EU document says
Itโs the latest sign the idea is still very much in Brussels’ sights โ despite British pushback.
Ukraine rails against decision to exclude Russia from anti-money laundering blacklist
Kyiv has long campaigned for Russia to be on the Financial Action Task Force’s register.
UK open to restarting China trade talks
JETCO forum was frozen by the Conservatives amid Beijingโs crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
UK accuses Russian firms of stoking anti-Ukraine protests
U.K. says allies will join it in slapping sanctions on the Doppelganger network.
EU steps up fight with the UK over โฆ sand-eels
A big legal fight is on the cards, with snakey fish at the center.
As possible Trump return looms, EUโs Lagarde urges US to avoid trade wars
Fears are growing that a victorious Trump will deploy the tariff weapon, just as he did against the EU and China in his first term.
IMF upgrades UK growth forecast ahead of budget
The revised 2024 forecast puts the U.K. ahead of Germany, Italy and Japan, and equal with France. But it comes after tricky borrowing data for Britain’s new chancellor.
UK presses China on weapons to Russia
On trip to Beijing, Britain’s foreign secretary says practice “risks damaging China’s relationships with Europe.” But the two sides agree to disagree on human rights.
UK ditches talks with Georgia over โanti-Westernโ tilt
Move comes in run-up to election and concern over pro-Russia shift under Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
UK should engage more with China, says minister
Britain has had a fraught relationship with Beijing in recent years.
We still love you Elon Musk, says UK government
Science Secretary Peter Kyle says he’s ‘absolutely ready to engage’ with the X owner despite summit snub.
LVMH founder Bernard Arnaultโs email accidentally shared by UK governmentย
British government apologizes for โadministrative human error.โ
Revealed: How Liz Truss lobbied for UK role in project now linked to Mozambique massacre
In the summer of 2020 Britainโs then-trade secretary defied her Cabinet colleagues to secure financial support for the controversial development.
The City of London is left out of Brexit discussions. Again.
Despite Labour’s bid to “reset” Brexit relations, the UK’s most globally important industry is once again not part of the conversation.
US Republicans fear UK Chagos Islands deal will boost China
Britain insisted its U.S. allies were fully behind the move to hand control of the islands โ home to a secretive military base โ to Mauritius.
Britainโs Brexit border regime is delayed โ again
Introduction of product safety declarations delayed till 2025.
Britain hands Chagos Islands, home of secretive US military base, over to Mauritius
Diego Garcia will remain under U.S.-U.K. jurisdiction for at least 99 years, but forcibly removed Chagossians will be helped to resettle.
Brexit talks are back โ forever
Starmer came away from his first visit to Brussels as prime minister with an agreement to keep talking.
British government split over new-look Brexit deal
Keir Starmer travels to Brussels with the prospect of a new youth mobility scheme high on the agenda.
Top UK civil servant Simon Case quits
In a message to staff, Case said “whilst the spirit remains willing, the body is not.”
UK scraps Brexitโs โNot for EUโ food labels โ for now
The eleventh-hour policy reversal follows a huge backlash from businesses.
Elon Musk dismisses UK summit snub, says he doesnโt want to go anyway
โI donโt think anyone should go to the UK when theyโre releasing convicted pedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts,โ said tech billionaire.
Trade policy: 20 people to meet at Tory conference
POLITICO curates a lineup of the top players influencing the Conservativesโ Brexit and trade policies.
Hold China responsible for helping Russia, Danish PM says
Moscow could not sustain a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for this long “without help from China,” Mette Frederiksen says.
Meet the worldโs toughest trade negotiator. Itโs not Donald Trump.
Piyush Goyalโs showmanship and negotiating savvy have made him a weapon for India as it takes up its mantle as a global superpower. But is his aggressive approach at risk of backfiring?
Biden administration moves to ban imports of Chinese โconnectedโ cars and parts
The Commerce Department is publishing a proposed rule today to ban imports of Chinese and Russian vehicles, as well as key hardware and software components, that could be used to spy on Americans or potentially even take control of their cars. โCars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet,โ [โฆ]
Nigel Farage is right: Britainโs Remainers are back
For the first time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, Britain’s pro-Europeans have the upper hand.
Netanyahu says UK has โunderminedโ Israel with arms embargo
The Israeli prime minister accused Keir Starmer’s government of “sending mixed messages.”
Trade policy: 20 people to meet at Labour conference
We break down the 20 figures inside and outside government shaping Labourโs trade policy.
Consultancy stands ready to serve
From issues as diverse as supporting councils with childrenโs care to dealing with cybersecurity attacks and the drive to net zero, our firms are delivering specialist expertise, value, and support.
Chinese trade boss comes to Brussels on Donโt Tax My Car tour
Whistle-stop tour of European capitals by Wang Wentao could end in a tough gig when he meets EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis.
Former Brexit chief Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ is surprise pick for EU trade czar
Dependable Slovak has served in the Commission for 15 years.
Brussels questions whether Starmer really wants a Brexit reset
EU officials and diplomats say when push comes to shove, the new PMโs position is so far so similar to his Tory predecessorโs.
Blinken: Iran sending ballistic missiles to Russia
US secretary of state promises “further sanctions on Iran later today” as he warns European security at risk.
UK to again delay Brexit border checks on food
Industry says the controls could push up prices.
โNo friend of the UKโ: Brexiteers aghast at return of old foe Michel Barnier
Shock nomination as Emmanuel Macron’s prime minister has riled up Nigel Farage and fellow Eurosceptics.
Putin says China, Brazil or India could act as intermediaries in Ukraine peace talks
“If there is a desire of Ukraine to carry on with the negotiations, I can do that,” Russian president said.
UK arms-sale ban wonโt make any difference to war, says former Israeli PM
Ehud Olmert tells POLITICOโs Power Play podcast that Israel’s allies should instead focus on lack “of any political horizon or end game strategy” from Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu blasts โshamefulโ UK ban on Israel arms exports
Israeli PM vows: โWith or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future.โ