After Katherina Reiche, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has now also expressed his doubts about achieving net zero emissions. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider disagrees – and critical comments have also come from the Christian Democrats.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt and Bernhard Pötter
France, Spain, Brazil, South Africa and other countries want to push ahead with the introduction of new taxes and levies for climate finance. Billions are to be mobilized with a billionaire's tax and levies on the premium flight segment.
By Nico Beckert
Under the weight of geopolitical crises, an escalating US tariff policy and growing doubts about the stability of the dollar-based system, the very foundations of global trade are beginning to falter. For Europe and Asia in particular – whose prosperity depends on open markets and rules-based cooperation – a new wave of economic uncertainty is drawing dangerously close.
By Shang-Jin Wei
Chinese AI frontrunner DeepSeek, after its meteoric rise in January, is now struggling to make the next technological leap. One key reason: US export controls are taking their toll. Developers are grappling with hardware shortages and a lack of viable alternatives.
By Jörn Petring
Just ahead of the deadline for the suspension of Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs, China’s leadership is pushing for constructive relations with Japan and South Korea. The East Asian neighbors, in turn, are keeping their options open – especially through regional trade agreements.
By Leonardo Pape
Just ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced that his succession would be determined outside of China and according to Tibetan tradition. Beijing disagrees and insists on having a say.
By Fabian Peltsch
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has spoken out clearly against the establishment of a Chinese military base in the Pacific region. Despite infrastructure cooperation with China, he emphasized that relations with Australia, New Zealand and the United States must not be compromised.
By Julia Fiedler
The Communist Party journal Qiushi has issued a rare warning about the consequences of an intense price war in several key industries. In the article, the Party levels unusually direct criticism at local authorities.
By Julia Fiedler
