EU readies ‘plan B’ should Trump walk away from Ukraine talks

Spain’s competition watchdog, the CNMC, has approved BBVA’s €11bn hostile bid for Sabadell, allowing the government to have the final say on the merger. The CNMC authorized the acquisition with conditions, including maintaining certain branches to mitigate competition concerns, while BBVA aims to enhance its lending capacity and market presence. However, Sabadell's board and the government oppose the deal, citing risks to competition and financial stability, and the government has 15 days to decide on...

Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to guarantee UK MPs a vote on a potential trade deal with Donald Trump, amidst hopes of finalizing agreements with the US, EU, and India before a key EU summit on May 19. While some MPs express concerns over a rushed deal, Starmer stated that any agreement would follow established parliamentary procedures, although trade deals are primarily negotiated by the government. As negotiations progress, worries persist about possible concessions...

The Eurozone economy grew 0.4% in Q1, exceeding expectations ahead of Donald Trump's tariff announcements, doubling the previous quarter's growth of 0.2%. Analysts predict that the ensuing global trade war will adversely affect future performance, with indicators of declining business confidence and potential for a technical recession in H2. The European Central Bank has repeatedly lowered growth forecasts, now at 0.9% for 2025, and anticipates further interest rate cuts amidst rising trade tensions, while Germany...

This article discusses ongoing trade tensions between the EU and the US, particularly regarding tariffs imposed by President Trump. As negotiations stall, the EU is preparing retaliation measures, focusing on tariffs on a new list of US goods while maintaining unity among member states. Additionally, it covers the critical vote on forming a German coalition, highlighting the challenges facing the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) amid internal dissent and the potential for...

Private acquisitions have removed over $1 trillion from European equity markets in the past decade, according to a report by HSBC Global Research and New Financial, highlighting the shift from public to private capital. The report notes that 1,013 European companies have been acquired, compared to only 130 that relocated to the US stock market, raising concerns about diminishing liquidity and investment in Europe. Policymakers are urged to reform public markets, as the current climate,...

The EU, now the world's largest trading bloc, faces challenges as trade dynamics shift under US influence, particularly during Trump’s presidency, which has seen the imposition of significant tariffs. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is navigating negotiations with the US while also fostering trade relationships with countries like Brazil, Mexico, and India to mitigate dependency and internal market barriers. Despite having the largest network of trade agreements, the EU struggles with internal opposition...