Business & Markets
Eurozone, banking, industry and the companies doing the work of the European economy.
Italy's growth nears 1% but structural woes persist
Italy's GDP could approach 1% in 2026, according to the economy minister. But economists caution that structural weaknesses and demographic
Uzbekistan's local brands set sights on global markets
Uzbekistan's manufacturers and designers are moving beyond production to build recognisable brands. New government measures aim to help them
Serbia and Uzbekistan seek closer economic ties as Mirziyoyev visits Belgrade
Bilateral trade hit a record $41.9m in 2025, with Serbian agri-food exports up 54.1% in early 2026. The two countries are discussing a free
Italy proposes fee-free digital euro payments under €10
Italy has proposed that digital euro payments under €10 carry no merchant fees, a measure aimed at protecting small businesses. The European
Canada slaps tariffs up to 50% on US goods as trade war deepens
Canada's counter-tariffs on US goods took effect, covering C$27.6 billion in imports. Duties of up to 50% target steel, dairy, and other pro
Qatar and UAE turn to ship-to-ship transfers to bypass Hormuz blockade
Qatar and the UAE are using ship-to-ship transfers to move LNG around the Hormuz blockade, adding over $1 million per operation. Three cargo
German exports slip in July, clouding recovery outlook
German exports declined 0.8% in July, the first fall in five months, driven by weaker demand from China and the eurozone. The data adds to c
Jaguar Land Rover to shed 4,000 jobs as it seeks £1.7bn savings
Jaguar Land Rover will cut around 4,000 jobs globally over two years as part of a cost-saving plan. The UK-based automaker aims to generate
China's exports surge 25% in August on autos and tech demand
China's exports rose 25% year-on-year in August, fueled by autos and high-tech products. The trade surplus widened to $119.1 billion, intens
Trump threatens to bar Bombardier from US market unless it builds locally
Trump says Bombardier can no longer sell in the US unless it builds there. The threat follows a breakdown in Canada-US trade talks and new t
Record fuel prices in Portugal trigger road protests
Diesel prices in Portugal reached an all-time high on Monday, prompting protests on the 25 de Abril Bridge and a go-slow convoy to the Sines
EDF in talks to acquire British supplier So Energy as UK retail market consolidates
EDF Energy is in talks to buy So Energy, a British supplier with 300,000 customers. The deal would boost EDF's scale in a market where it ha