At the opening of a trial against three political opposition figures, Hong Kong prosecutors made clear that China’s one-party rule cannot be challenged by legal means.

By Marcel Grzanna

News | Trade war

January 22nd, 2026

EU-US trade deal: Implementation officially suspended

As already announced by three parliamentary group leaders, the European Parliament has formally suspended the agreement on tariffs with the US. In a few days, the EU Parliament’s Trade Committee will also discuss measures under the Anti-Coercion Instrument.

By Markus Grabitz

Maroš Šefčovič und Piyush Goyal schütteln die Hände

News | India

January 22nd, 2026

EU-India: Negotiations on trade agreement close to conclusion

The European Commission is confident of reaching a political agreement with India to sign a free trade pack by the end of January. However, CBAM remains a sticking point in the negotiations.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News Bilder des Tages 16.09.2019, Berlin, Deutschland - Pressekonferenz nach der CDU-Bundesvorstandssitzung im Konrad-Adenauer Haus. Foto: Andreas Jung, MdB, stellvertretender Vorsitzender der CDU-CSU-Bundestagsfraktion.

News | Climate targets

January 22nd, 2026

CDU/CSU: How German conservatives want to resolve their internal dispute over climate targets

In a party conference motion, the CDU’s association for small and medium-sized businesses the its employee advocacy association have questioned existing climate targets. Social and climate experts from the party executive will now work with the authors on a joint paper.

By Bernhard Pötter

News | Climate complaints

January 22nd, 2026

Environmental Appeals Act: Why NGOs criticize the cabinet draft

The German government is planning an amendment to the Environmental Appeals Act, with the aim of placing greater restrictions on environmental associations as plaintiffs. Environmental organizations are warning that their ability to legally enforce measures to protect the environment would be restricted.

By Alexandra Endres

News | Energy prices

January 22nd, 2026

Cooperatives: What role they can play in a socially just energy transition

To ensure that not only high earners benefit from energy cooperatives, changes will be needed on the part of both cooperatives and policymakers. This is the conclusion of a new study by the Oeko Institute.

By Malte Kreutzfeldt

Frank Wetzel, Staatssekretär im BMWE, beim BBE-Energiedialog am 20.1.2026

News | Renewable energies

January 22nd, 2026

Renewable energy: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy gives industry little hope

The German Renewable Energy Federation warns of a slowdown in renewable energy expansion in Germany. However, the Ministry for Economic Affairs has signaled that it will provide limited support to the industry and rejects calls to accelerate action.

By Malte Kreutzfeldt

News | Diplomacy

January 21st, 2026

Embassy construction: Beijing pushes ahead in London despite headwinds

After approving the construction of a new Chinese embassy in the UK, Beijing has pledged full compliance with all legal requirements. The decision comes ahead of an expected visit by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China next week.

By Leonardo Pape