Talk of the Town • Table.Briefings

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

April 15th, 2026

Iran: Four principles for Beijing’s interests

Xi Jinping has laid out four principles for calming the situation in the Middle East. Above all, the aim is to contain risks that are causing concern in Beijing.

By Marcel Grzanna

Ein Schrottkorb hängt in einer Werkhalle der BGH Edelstahl Freital GmbH in einem Lichtbogenofen. Anlass ist der 4. Sächsische Stahlgipfel.

Talk of the Town | Trade policy

April 14th, 2026

Trade: How the EU wants to rein in China’s steel sector

The EU is introducing new protective measures for the steel sector. But Brussels is still struggling to find a broader response to Chinese overcapacity. At the same time, a new Chinese supply chain law is creating additional uncertainty.

By Antonia Zimmermann, Amelie Richter and János Allenbach-Ammann

Talk of the Town | Hungary

April 14th, 2026

Hungary I: What EU partners expect from election winner Magyar

Following the election, Berlin and Paris are pushing for the rapid release of billions of euros in aid for Ukraine. However, Brussels is likely to release frozen EU funds to Hungary only in exchange for concrete reforms. Von der Leyen is also calling for an end to veto-based obstruction.

By Till Hoppe, János Allenbach-Ammann and Stephan Israel

Wirtschaftsministerin Katherina Reiche (Mitte) mit Elisabeth Hausschild und Helmut Rauch von Diehl Defence-Chefin und

Talk of the Town | Arms exports

April 14th, 2026

Arms exports: Opposition accuses Reiche of a lack of transparency

German Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche has so far only once provided the Bundestag with details on specific export licenses for military equipment – despite clear guidelines from the Federal Constitutional Court. Critics decry a return to the lack of transparency of the '80s.

By Hans-Martin Tillack

Assembled press and election officials seen gathered behind the ballot boxes.

Talk of the Town | Hungary

April 12th, 2026

After Orbán: Hungary between realignment and continued dependence on China

Hungary’s political landscape is facing a profound shift. That would also entail a recalibration of its international relationships, especially with China.

By Amelie Richter

Talk of the Town | Biotechnology

April 9th, 2026

Biomanufacturing: Why Beijing is betting big on it

Meat grown from tissue samples, clothing made from spider silk, fuel produced from industrial waste gases: Biomanufacturing is of major strategic importance.

By Angela Köckritz

Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider in der Bundespressekonferenz

Talk of the Town | Climate protection program

April 9th, 2026

CAP: Why the transport sector remains under pressure

As the largest source of CO₂ emissions outside the European Union’s Emissions Trading System, the transport sector presents a particularly steep challenge under the German government’s Climate Action Program. Even if the program is implemented, Germany is likely to miss its climate targets in this sector because the proposed measures do not go far enough.

By Fritz Vorholz

Daily life resumes in Tehran after ceasefire agreement

Talk of the Town | Diplomacy

April 8th, 2026

Iran: How Beijing is strengthening its role as peacemaker

The fact that Iran agreed to a temporary ceasefire is also, evidently, thanks to Beijing. But China’s motives were rooted in hard economic interests.

By Fabian Kretschmer

Talk of the Town | Industry

April 7th, 2026

Industry 4.0: China first, DACH last

The 2026 Industry 4.0 Barometer shows China out in front as the pace-setter of digital industrial transformation, while European companies are struggling not to fall behind. But the DACH region has not been left behind entirely – above all because of one specific competitive advantage.

By Christian Domke Seidel

Talk of the Town | E-Commerce

April 6th, 2026

E-commerce: What China’s new guidelines mean for Europe

China is giving its booming online retail sector a new strategic direction. New guidelines shift the focus from pure growth to quality and global integration, with political steering at the center.

By Amelie Richter