Customs duties • Table.Briefings

January 18th, 2026

Taiwan: Certainty at a high price

Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is set to ramp up investment in the United States. In return, Washington is cutting import tariffs. But is Taiwan putting its “silicon shield” at risk?

By David Demes

News | Greenland

January 18th, 2026

Kallas: Trump’s tariff threat benefits China and Russia

Planned US tariffs against European allies would primarily play into the hands of China and Russia, warned EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. DIW president Marcel Fratzscher is calling for a strategic turn toward China.

By Angela Köckritz

Feature | E-cars

January 14th, 2026

E-cars from China: What the Commission hopes to achieve with the guidelines

So far, no Chinese manufacturer has contacted the Commission and offered minimum prices for electric cars. German car manufacturers are reacting cautiously.

By János Allenbach-Ammann and Markus Grabitz

Talk of the Town

January 13th, 2026

EU minimum prices: Why the car industry still has to worry

In the customs dispute, the EU is accommodating Chinese car manufacturers by setting minimum prices. Critics fear major damage for local companies. But Brussels is also creating leeway to put pressure on competitors

By Marcel Grzanna and Fabian Peltsch

News | Trade war

January 13th, 2026

Iran: How Beijing is reacting to Trump's tariff threat

China rejects the new US tariff threats against Iran. If Donald Trump were to enforce them, the tariff rate would once again be significantly higher than before the agreement between Trump and Xi Jinping in October.

By Redaktion Table

Talk of the Town | Electric vehicles

January 13th, 2026

BEVs from China: The EU’s punitive tariffs could soon be off the table

The EU Commission has presented guidelines for minimum prices for battery electric vehicles produced in China. If manufacturers adhere to these guidelines, countervailing duties will no longer be necessary.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | Subventionen

January 12th, 2026

EVs: EU minimum import prices find favor in Beijing

The dispute over state subsidies for Chinese electric-vehicle makers could soon be resolved. An EU guideline on minimum prices for Chinese imports has been positively received in China.

By Marcel Grzanna

Talk of the Town | Mercosur

January 12th, 2026

Mercosur: Europe’s answer to the 'Donroe' doctrine

EU diplomats want the signing of an FTA with the Mercosur states to be seen as proof that the European Union has recognized the signs of the times and is capable of acting strategically. However, the decision comes at a political price for the bloc.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | Diplomacy

January 6th, 2026

Ireland: Prime Minister Martin calls for greater openness in relations with China

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin is seeking to ease EU-China relations during his visit to China and is pushing for “greater openness” in trade.

By Angela Köckritz

News | Trade policy

December 22nd, 2025

Trade dispute: Provisional tariffs on EU dairy products

Starting Dec. 23, EU producers will face tariffs ranging from 21.9 to 42.7 percent on dairy products exported to China. Meanwhile, the European Commission is considering minimum price commitments for Chinese electric vehicles as an alternative to tariffs.

By Yi Ling Pan