Europe

Europe is caught in gas contracts with Russia. Now look for a way to break them without paying the price

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This winter has ended with an alarming fact for gas in Europe: German reserves are practically empty, 7% of their capacity. Energy expert Javier Blas He explained That the winter of 2024-25 has left the very low gas inventories, and the cost to fill the natural reservoir of Rehden amounts to almost 2,000 million euros. In addition, the continent has entered the discount timesince the European Union has demanded that the deposits be filled at 90% before November 1. However, the European Union has made a decision to close the door forever to the dependence of Russian gas. Close the tap to Russia. From Brussels different legal routes are being explored so that European companies can terminate long -term Russian gas contracts without paying large fines to Moscow. According to Financial Timesthe European Commission has been studying the possibility of declaring force majeure to terminate contractual obligations and not have to pay additional rates. The Russian supply. After three years of war that still persists, this situation has caused a great energy crisis in Europe, reducing its dependence on Russian gas. Currently, the Kremlin supply represents 11% of the block compared to almost two fifths at the beginning of the conflict, such as They have detailed in the British environment. From a more economical vision, the EU paid 21.9 billion euros Russia for oil and gas between February 2024 and February 2025, According to the Clean Energy and Air Research Center. And they continue to depend. Russian liquefied natural gas volumes (LNG) They have increased significantly In the last three years. In addition, Russia has continued to export gas disguised under azeri flag or through relations with two member countries, Hungary and Slovakiawhich has generated tensions within the EU. As He has pointed out The Financial Times, there are important ports such as those of France, Spain and Belgium that continue to receive loads of Russian LNG, showing the complexity of cutting energy ties immediately. Until two years. The European Commission has promised a final roadmap to completely cut energy ties with Russia before 2027. Although its publication has already been delayed twice, the document is expected for May 6, According to Reuters. This delay responds to the conversations reactivated by the United States about the future of the Nordstream gas pipeline, which connects Germany and Russia. The project has gained importance amid the efforts of the Trump administration, since they want look for an approach that implies them in gas transmission. Exploring alternatives … The commission, that He has denied To comment to the Financial Times, you are looking for new supplies. United States, which It takes time exporting LNG to Europehas been profiled as the largest supplier and is seen as a viable replacement. However, with the tariff war in dispute Everything will be to see. But there is an unexpected exit. Continuing with the tariffs, which have been intensified in A bilateral war Between China and the United States. The Asian giant He has found A strategic opportunity: take advantage of contracts signed with American gas to resell it to Europe. This phenomenon has exposed how the global mechanisms of energy trade do not respond to political strategies, but to market logics. An uncertain future. Although the date is marked in 2027, the road map has already suffered several delays and remains surrounded by political and commercial unknowns. In addition, the growing tension with the United States and The lack of a really solid energy plan they leave a European Union corrula, reacting too late before the agency with Russia. Image | Brian Cantoni Xataka | The price of gas has already reached 2022 levels. Now the European industry depends on one thing: that the cold does not return

The US tariffs threaten the massive arrival of ridiculously cheap Chinese products. Europe has a plan

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First was the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Stamer, which made clear The posture of the nation in front of the tariff war. China was more ally than enemy against the turbulence of the global market. Then It was Pedro SánchezPresident of Spain, the one that manifested in the same line. Somehow, both leaders showed that, in the commercial war, there are different interpretations In Europe, and that happens while a word next to China, which will test the regulations of the old continent: dumping. The challenge after tariffs. For years, Europe has seen in China a formidable economic competitor, but many media such as The New York Times They have begun to slide a fear of the escalation of commercial tensions between Beijing and Washington, and how it can transform that challenge into A threat potentially destabilizing for the continent. As? The imposition of Extraordinary tariffs On the part of Trump has raised a commercial wall that prevents Chinese exports from addressing its traditional market, which has lit alarms in Brussels due to the possibility that an avalanche of subsidized products, from electric vehicles to industrial steel, be redir massively to Europe. With key industries such as those of France, Germany or Italy already in a vulnerable situation, the fear is that the so -called dumping (the practice of selling below the cost to eliminate local competition) intensifies until eroding the foundations of European production. Of course, it does not have to be so, and Europe has “weapons” to avoid it. Diplomatic balancing. One thing does seem true. The European bloc is caught between two fires: on the one hand, the pressures of American protectionism and, on the other, the need to contain the Chinese overproduction without triggering an open conflict. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has tried articulate an answer that combines firmness with pragmatism: he has promised to “closely monitor” the Chinese merchandise flowhas created a working group to detect dumping practices and has warned that Europe “cannot absorb excess global capacity.” Her messidated position was applauded by analysts, who consider her the best way to avoid an economic disaster. However, The Times explained that the unit of the continent can begin to show cracks in the face of the magnitude of the problem. Here are the words we commented at the beginning of leaders like Sánchez or Starmer betting on a greater approach to China as a shield in the face of the turbulence of the global market, while other EU members cry out for a more energetic defense of the European industrial fabric. Europe has a plan. The truth is that, in the face of the catastrophic image that has been warned in many media, for years the European Union has adopted a rigorous regulatory approach to contain the massive entry of Chinese products in your market. As? Through A combination of tariff measures, technical controls and non -tariff barriers that act as effective filters against dumping and unfair competition. Among the most outstanding tools are Antidumping research carried out by the European Commission, which have resulted in more than 100 current measures against Chinese products, covering from stainless steel to electric bicycles. In addition, the Rasff system (Fast food and feed alert network) constantly monitor the entry of non -compliant products with European quality and safety standards, blocking dozens of shipments every year. And the reach. To this is added the strict compliance with the regulation called Like Reachwhich requires any well imported good to register and evaluate its chemical substances, a firewall that prevents numerous Chinese industrial products from freely accessing the community market. Thanks to this normative network and its ability to activate ex officio investigations, the EU not only responds to concrete threats, but can also proactively dissuade the entry of goods that They do not meet the standards Europeans, configuring a legal wall that, until now, has effectively mitigated the wave of Asian overproduction. An asymmetric relationship. That said, and beyond the immediate context, the bottom of the problem may lies in an unbalanced commercial relationship. The Times told that Europe has accumulated a record deficit with China, one that in 2023 reached the 332,000 million dollarsfed by state subsidies that distort the market and by regulatory barriers that hinder the access of European companies to the Chinese market. Plus: the European Commission already has classified China as a “systemic rival” And bilateral relations have cooled in recent years, especially after Beijing support to Moscow during the invasion of Ukraine. European commissioners have expressed directly Your concern During recent diplomatic visits to China, demanding more equitable conditions and voluntary restrictions on exports of subsidized goods. Opportunistic messages and alliances. Despite these disagreements, China has intensified its Diplomatic offensive and media to present themselves as a strategic partner of Europe against chaos generated by Washington. From sponsored articles In influential media of Brussels until Official Communities That omit real tensions, Beijing tries to cultivate an image of stability and collaboration. In parallel, he has accepted Resume negotiations With the EU around European tariffs to Chinese electric vehicles, while minimizing disagreements. Meanwhile, European spokesmen respond cautiousspeaking of “reviews” or “continuation of conversations”, without offering clear adhesion or a firm rejection. An ambiguity that reflects not only the complexity of the situation, but also, perhaps, the fragility of a common strategy within the block. A crucial summer. So things, and with a photo that only points to A fear If we rely on European events and norms, the immediate future of European commercial policy could play a key game in the coming months. One is scheduled UE-China Summit For the second half of July, a meeting in which both blocks will try to soften friction before the impact of US tariffs is translated into an overestrial crisis in the European market. At the moment, the EU seems to have adopted a containment strategy: to endure the pull, maintain the balance between firmness and flexibility, and prevent the … Read more

The largest nuclear power plant in Europe has been closed by the war in Ukraine. Now the United States wants to reopen

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At the beginning of the Ukraine War, the first thing the Russian Army did It was taking control of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe: Zaporiyia. During these three years, the Kremlin has established a military base and has been the objective of attacksso it has remained closed. Recently, the United States has decided to reopen this booty. Your part of the cake. There was no agreement with any of the two parties around To the rare earthsnow the focus is positioned in the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. In a telephone call, Trump suggested to Zelenski that the United States could help to manage, and possibly possess, Ukraine nuclear energy plants, according to a statement by the US presidential administration to which which has had access Reuters. All this to guarantee the energy security of Ukraine. The problem with “property.” From the same medium They have pointed out that the problem came with the word: “property.” The Ukrainian president has revealed that he would have no problem that the US investing money, only in the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant to rebuild it once again recover it. However, reject in a resounding way Give the central because they do not want to lose energy sovereignty in the country. A strategic central. The control of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe has reinforced Moscow’s power over the region, making it an energy pressure tool. According to The Washington PostRussian Foreign Minister has declared that the transfer of the central to any other nation is “impossible”, a position that highlights the strategic importance. A great loss for Ukraine. The largest nuclear plant in Europe is a great booty of war. In fact, for the nation of Zelensky it has meant a very large loss, since before the occupation it represented 20% of the country’s electrical production, such as They have reported in The Washington Post. In addition, the Ukrainian nation is now forced to allocate its limited resources to avoid a nuclear crisis. However, since the Russian occupation it has remained closed. Security problems From the closure of the plant, both parties They have accused mutually bombarding her repeatedly, so they had to close it for the risk of attacks and the growing concern for the integrity of cooling systems. Until today, the nuclear power plant has not produced energy again and has been negatively reflected in the Ukrainian electricity network. Can it be reactivated? The central was operated by Energoatom a Ukrainian public society. Its executive director, Petro Kotin, has warned in an interview for The Guardian on the problems that exist safely restart the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant. The senior executive stressed that there is a lack of trained personnel, the damage to infrastructure and the insufficiency of cooling water, after the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in 2023 reduced access to the water of the Dnieper river. In an assumption that Ukraine recovered control of the central, Kotin explained that the restart process would take a long time between two months and two years, depending on the state of the nuclear plant. Moscow’s position. Russia has made it clear that it has no intention of giving control of the Zaporiyia plant and has plans to reactivate the plant, but it has not yet specified when it would happen. According to The Washington Postthe future of the Zaporiyia plant remains one of the main challenges that will define not only the energy balance of the region, but also the course of the Ukraine War. Image | DPA Germany Xataka | A Russian drone has opened one of the greatest engineering works. The problem: it was the sarcophagus of Chernobil reactor 4

Europe has proposed a 0% tariff for its cars. The only problem is that they have no cars to sell us

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The United States has hit first and Europe tries to defend itself through negotiation. That is what indicates the first reaction of the European Union to tariffs of 25% imposed by the Donald Trump government to cars, the pieces that compose them, steel and aluminum. Also to the 20% tariff in flat rate format that the United States has imposed on all the countries of the European Union. The response of the European Union has been to put the table and sit down to negotiate. Europe plays the future of many sectors but the car is especially critical. According to UGTon average in Europe, 3.2% of each country’s employees work in the production of vehicles and engines or in activities associated with them such as repair or distribution and sale. The document mentions the Draghi reportthe result of a study commissioned by the European Union to which the European Central Bank was to seek solutions to the European economic decline against emerging powers. It pointed out that in Europe there are 13.8 million people working in the automobile sector, representing 6.1% of the active population. According to the European CommissionWe export vehicles to the United States worth 38.9 billion euros. Only the United Kingdom, who bought cars worth 34,300 million euros, rivals this country. To this we must add that a multitude of European vehicle manufacturers produce in Mexico or Canada as bridges to a cheaper entry in the United States. Vehicle shipments affect German manufacturers to a greater extent. The group Volkswagen is stopping his deliveries in the United States and its shipments on a railroad from Mexico. Mercedes is considering reduce your offereliminating smaller models and, therefore, that report lower profit margin. BMW, for the moment, It seems that it will absorb tariffs. And Stellantis too is sending home to workers from and outside the United States to produce a lower amount of cars. An impossible response proposal To try to save the situation, the European Union has put on the table operate with a zero tariff for vehicles and industrial goods. In The world collect the words of Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European Commission, who recalled that the proposition on vehicles was already made last February. In the press conference to present the measure, from the European Commission it has been stressed that they did not obtain an adequate response. And the same has happened now. Yesterday afternoon, Donald Trump left the cameras to threaten China with raising tariffs even more and pointing out that the European proposal does not convince him. For the president of the United States, it is not enough. “The EU has been very hard over the years. I always say that it was formed to harm the United States in commerce. That is why it formed (…) joined to create a monopoly situation, to create a unified force against the United States in trade. (…) we pay to protect them militarily and play it in commerce. So it is not a good combination,” The country. The problem for Europe is that The commercial deficit of the United States with Europe in the purchase and sale of cars is very high and from the US government they are not willing to accept that Europe compensates for part of these losses (and other products sold to the United States) with services. In spite of everything, the balance remains positive for Europe, as is checked in this graph of eldiario.es. According to Acea15% of vehicles exported by Europe are destined for the United States. However, the value is high because 22% of the money obtained from exports worldwide comes from the United States. Those 38,500 million euros contrast with the 7.7 billion euros that we import from the country. By units, Europe sent 749,170 light cars to the United States while we bought 164,857 vehicles. On average, a car sold to the United States costs around 51,400 euros. Back, each car sold by the United States to Europe costs about 46,800 euros. This explains that if the United States only wants a balanced trade balance between vehicle entry and exit is almost impossible to meet. The only proposal that came out yesterday from North America is that Europeans buy the energy produced there to compensate for the commercial deficit that the United States has in the purchase of goods. But, in addition, there are many reasons why Europe cannot match in sales the purchases that the United States makes of our cars. First of all because of a purely cultural problem, the United States does not manufacture cars that fit with European philosophy. In general, they manufacture cars of extremely large dimensions for European cities, with larger engines and gastons than Europeans. And not only that, the United States has encountered the problem that much of the manufacturing automobile industry has left the country to place in Mexico and Canada. Commercial treaties with these countries allow them to sell cars “to the American” producing them cheaper than within their borders. However, Europe has been finding a productive market for each car. The highest cost (but greater profit margin) are manufactured, above all, in Germany and France where the costs are higher. The little ones occur in Spain or in countries with lax commercial treaties such as Morocco or Türkiye. Only within its borders (Germany and Poland) distortions such as the United States and Canada are produced. The problem for the United States is that Europeans do manufacture cars that interest there, sending them from Europe or from Mexico and Canada, but they already manufacture cars that interest the Europeans themselves. The United States manufactures a type of vehicle that is not demanded in Europe and, in fact, brands such as Ford have been manufacturing vehicles that interest us locally manufacturing on our ground as the Ford Fiesta has beenthe focus, the puma or the kuga, among many others. In fact, Ford itself is clear that the place to produce the few Ford … Read more

China probes revenge from the United States closing its doors to Hollywood. And Europe could be the great beneficiary

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China is valuing to prohibit the distribution of American films In response to Donald Trump’s threat to impose additional 50% tariffs About Chinese products. Or that follows, since the original source is a Chinese journalist linked to the Communist Party. A Insider that releases the probe balloons. This measure is part of a retaliation package that would also include blockages to the importation of agricultural and poultry products in the United States. Why is it important. The Chinese government has described Trump’s strategy as “blackmail” and He said that “will fight until the end,” according to the Ministry of Commerce in an official statement. “The Chinese do not look for problems, but they don’t fear them,” added the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian. In figures. American films generated 585 million dollars in China for 2024approximately 3.5% of the 17,710 million dollars of total collection in the Chinese film market. If the veto materializes, next blockbusters like ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth‘,’The accountant 2‘And the next installment of’Impossible mission‘They could leave a lot of money at the box office. The threat. The confrontation has intensified after Trump’s announcement of an additional 50% tariff if China did not withdraw the 34% of US products. If this dynamic is maintained, total tariffs on Chinese products could reach 104%: Current tariffs: 20% (previous taxes). New tariffs: 34% (announced last week). Extra threat: 50% (if China does not withdraw its measures). Between bambalins. Dan Wang, a specialist in China in Eurasia Group, points out that when tariffs exceed 35%, Chinese exporters lose all profitability in the US market. “After that point, China should not export to the United States at all. Europe is and will be the most profitable market for China now,” Wang explains in statements collected by Daily Mail. To a scrambled river … Outstanding image | Jurassic World, Xataka with Mockuuuups Studio In Xataka | The highest blockbuster movie in history does not come from Hollywood, but from China, and now you can see it in Prime Video

Europe will invest a lot of money in countries as far away as Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan. The reason: rare earths

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Surely it went unnoticed by the vast majority of the planet Between tariffs and war conflicts. Kazakhstan announced last week the discovery of his Greater rare earth sitewith an initial estimate of one million tons of key elements such as Cerio, Lantano, Neodimio and Ititrio, all fundamental for the global energy transition … or to begin a new arms era. And now the news that did reach more people: the EU will invest a fortune in Five Central Asian countries. The official reason? Strive ties. The truth? The track is one of the five countries: Kazakhstan. The news. In full escalation of commercial tensions with the United States, the European Union surprisingly announced an investment of 12,000 million euros in Central Asia during its first summit with the five countries of the region (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzista, Tayikistan and Turkmenistan). The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that these funds will go to key sectors as transport, clean energy, connectivity and sustainable development of strategic natural resources. Tariffs and foreign trade. In a context marked by the new 20 % tariffs imposed by Washington to European imports, von der Leyen stressed that the EU seeks to offer A reliable alternative Faced with powers such as Russia and China, betting on egalitarian associations and investment in local capacities. In addition, the common commitment to the Territorial sovereignty and peace in Ukraine, condemning the Russian aggression and reinforcing the message that respect for international law will be a cornerstone of this new strategic association. The EU, which already represents 22.6 % of foreign trade And more than 40 % of foreign direct investment in Central Asia, seeks with this summit to consolidate its regional influence and open new trade routes that avoid Russian territory, such as the Transcaspiano corridorKey to reduce the Eastern Energy and Geopolitical Dependence. A key region. Behind good words are not only sustainable development and regional cooperation, but a critical geoeconomic priority: ensure the supply of essential minerals For the European green transition, the strengthening of its industrial base and the development of its defense capacities, all in a context of growing global tension and structural dependence of China and Russia. Strategic minerals. The urgency of this strategic turn was evidenced after the recognition of a disturbing vulnerability: in 2023, 94 % of imports European rare earth came from China, Malaysia and Russia. In addition, China controls the 60 % of world production of critical minerals and 85 % of its processing, while strengthening its own green industry. This concentration of power, added to political proximity between Beijing and Moscow, has led to worrying episodes, such as Chinese restriction to Antimony exporta key mineral in military technologies such as precision optics and night viewers. Abundance, but with limitations. In this panorama, Central Asia emerges as a realistic and attractive alternative. Kazakhstan currently produces 19 of the 34 minerals critics defined by the EU and could expand this figure 21 in the short term After the announcement of last week. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, is the fifth major supplier Uranium World and has important reserves of gold, silver, titanium and molybdenum. The region also has lithium, silicon and tungsten, fundamental for batteries, solar panels and electronic defense systems. However, much of these resources are trapped in a poorly developed mining sector, lacking modern infrastructure and technological capabilities for sustainable extraction. There, a priori, money would be destined. The European strategy. They counted on DW That, in the face of the geoeconomic competence of China and Russia, Brussels seeks to differentiate offering cooperation models based on industrial associations and mixed companies with local actors, favoring direct foreign investment, regional business growth and progressive industrialization. This approach is especially attractive to Central Asian leaders, who see in it a way to diversify their economies, reduce dependence from Moscow and gain greater strategic autonomy. The cornerstone of this approach would be the Gateway Global Initiativethe ambitious European project of 300,000 million euros conceived as an alternative to the New Silk Route China. The transcaspian corridor and a promise. A crucial component of the European Plan is the development of the Transpian International Transport Route (Titr), that logistics corridor that would unite China and Europe through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea, reducing traffic times to 15 days and avoiding the step by the Suez Canal or Russian territory. The problem? The dimension of investment. The implementation of this corridor requires an estimated amount of 18.5 billion euros In infrastructure, of which more than half have already been mobilized by the EU through an investment forum with support from its member states, the private sector, and institutions such as the European Investment Bank and the BERD. To get an idea, the Expert Samuel Vestterbye That this route could multiply container traffic from the current 100,000 to 800,000, with a transformative economic impact for both regions. The Russian “friend.” No doubt, the European turn also has a clear geopolitical dimension: stop use which makes Russia of Central Asian countries for avoid sanctions Western imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. The European diplomat Kaja Kallas was explicit in that sense when warning in Asjabad that Russian companies should not use the region as commercial escape route. In this context, the EU needs to balance a incentive and pressures policy: Offer real economic development through infrastructure and commerce, while demanding cooperation in compliance with the western sanctioning regime. Something like the “carrot and stick” approach that analysts see as an opportunity to consolidate strategic relationships that transcend the economic. Challenges and Emergency. Despite the advances, the European strategy has notable challenges before him. Experts Like Marie Dumoulinof the European Council on Foreign Relations, warn that the concrete projects of the Global Gateway take to materialize and lack visibility in the region, which could weaken the EU’s ability to compete with Chinese or Russian offers. In other words, that what is said is credible Brussels must Accelerate implementation of infrastructure works, show tangible results and … Read more

Before Tesla’s collapse, Elon Musk already presses for an agreement between Europe and the United States

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The tariff war triggered by Donald Trump has unleashed chaos in the bags. From the United States to Asian bags through Europe. Everything falls and the perspectives are not good. And, along the way, we begin to see the consequences that are hardly affecting technological and automotive. One of the most marked is Tesla, who lives in his own chaos. April 2. Just five days ago Donald Trump unleashed the storm. It was April 2 in the United Statesthe edge of midnight in Europe and were already well entered in April 3 in Asia. The announcement of imposing tariffs with a flat rate of 10% to almost all countries in the world and elevate them to those that the president of the United States considers that they are doing special damage to his country unleashed chaos. Since then, the consequences have happened. Europe warns that April 9day in which the new tariffs should go into force if nothing remedies it, will vote what measures it takes against the United States. China has also made it clear that April 10 Equal 34% tariffs That the Trump administration has imposed them if they do not withdraw before or reach an agreement. The chaos. Since then, The bags have been immersed in chaos. Since last Friday, when China answered the United States, the drop in the bags was confirmed. Collapses in the United States of 10%, the Nikkei playing minimums since 2023 or the German stock market falling almost 10%. In Spain, Ibex35 is falling 5% and has already fallen more than 10% since the Chinese reaction was announced last week. Since Donald Trump announced the new economic measures, there are great losers in the commercial war. Apple, who was trying to diversify its production and partially leave China, has lost 15% because Tariffs will continue to impact in countries where it has been carrying its production. Nvidia has suffered similar falls and Microsoft has fallen 5% since April 2. Other of the companies that are suffering most are the textile -related. Nike has left more than 10% in the last five days and between April 2 and last Friday almost 20% had left but the shares have rebounded. Adidas has also fallen almost 20%. Under Armor exceeds 15% fall. LVMH (which has luxury brands such as Loewe) has left more than 12%. The automakers. But there is a sector that tariffs especially impact. The entry of cars to the United States and parts to produce cars within its borders It is taxed with 25%. Steel and aluminum, keys in this sector, also now cost 25% more. That has made shipments from Mexico and Canada paralyze or that some plants have already begun to Send your workers home with the aim of reducing production. From Trump’s announcement, Honda has fallen more than 10%, Toyota approaches 15% fall. Stellantis approaches 20%. Mercedes, Volkswagen or BMW also leave more than 10%. Benefit? Tesla was one of the few companies that I could get unscathed from the situation. Everything that sells in the United States manufactures it internally and its shipments to China are almost exceptional. Almost everything he sells in China produces it in China. In terms of trade between the United States and China, the company would have no problem. Yes there is clouds that can worry. China has taken years to allow Tesla to operate with advanced driving aid system. For this he has forced him to associate with Baiduwhat Elon Musk’s assumed aware that it is A key piece in the puzzle of its future economy. It remains to ask if China can press by cutting the tap to concrete companies. Tesla can be key since the use of data for autonomous driving are extremely sensitive to the Chinese state and does not want them to leak to the United States. Alleging these same national security concerns, from the United States they want prohibit the entry of Chinese cars or with Chinese sensitive pieces to the country. A strong fall. In spite of everything, the fall in Tesla’s actions are being considerable. On April 2, Tesla’s shares were quoted above $ 280. Today they are paid at $ 239 in a drop of approximately 15%. However, the data reflect the enormous volatility of Tesla’s actions. That same day April 2, the shares had started a little above $ 250. The alleged strength against the rivals caused the shares to rise in price but The data of your first quarterthe Chinese reaction and the rumors of Elon Musk of the United States Government have left the shares below the aforementioned 240 dollars. A crack. It is the one that has opened between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The billionaire and owner of Tesla said he expected an agreement between the European Union and the United States. “They should advance ideally, in my opinion, towards a situation of zero tariff, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” he said in a video connection during a league congress, the ultra -rightist party led by Matteo Salvini and that Try to get to the Government of Italy. Words picked them up The avant -garde and opens a crack between Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s speech that had so far walked together. Just when Elon Musk is losing a fortune with the fall in the price of Tesla’s shares and everything indicates that Your departure as Executing arm of mass dismissals In the United States it will be sooner rather than later. Uncertainty. The truth is that fluctuation in the price of shares Between advertisement and counting related to the tariffs filed between the United States and China they obey the volatility of Tesla shares and the response of investors guided by the latest news rather than to the real economic background of the company. However, it is true that deliveries in Q1 of 2025 have been very bad. In China they seem to have recovered the usual rhythm after modernizing the … Read more

The Spanish car will not suffer with 25% of the United States tariffs but with its consequences: a poorest Europe

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With a table in the hand and presuming to apply fewer tariffs than, it is supposed, the world is applying against the United States. This has been presented Donald Trump in what he has called “Liberation Day” to the media to confirm the application of new tariffs And when we say “the world”, capitalized, it is not an exaggeration. China, Europe, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, India, Switzerland, Malaysia … the list could follow Until adding 200 countries or regions. Literally. All these countries or regions are those that will have to Assume new US tariffs If you want to sell their products in the country. They are tariffs that will apply especially types of products Because, according to Donald Trump, his country is harmed in the purchase and sale of these goods or in their production. Based, all countries will have to pay 10% tariffs, whatever product. From there, up. And also specific rates are maintained to some sectors. The most punished, without any doubt, 25% to cars. Its impact is our consumption As We said a few days agothe direct impact of imposing 25% on cars that enter the United States is irrelevant for one of the most important industries in our country. The direct impact, that is important to point it out. Spain specializes in the export of cheap vehicles. Since it does not export the Mercedes Vito and Ford Transit to the United Statesits trade with the American country is practically non -existent, so the increase in cars that could reach it is irrelevant. Our country is the Second major exporter of cars of the European Union but the primary business is sales to the European Union itself or countries of the continent. By philosophy, the utilities we manufacture in Spain are very unattractive in the United States. And more if we take into account that we are jumping to electrical technology. Small and electric car is so uncompeitive in the country that Fiat was practically giving his fiat 500e. But all this does not mean that we do not suffer with all this tariff offensive. Impose a 20% tariff to the European Union (Independent of the mentioned to cars, steel or aluminum) and 34% to China, from 32% to Taiwan, 46% to Vietnam or from 24% to Japan, among others, it will make the purchase of cars, textiles and even raw materials as basic as rice. The problem is that The United States has lived in constant relocation For decades. Moving all that production to American soil is impossible in the short term and the direct and imminent consequence is, everything indicates, more expensive products. A loss of purchasing power That, indeed, it affects us. Because in a hyperconnected world, which BMW, Mercedes or Volkswagen sell less cars in the United States directly affects their results accounts. Goldman Sachs Calculate that Increase in the price of cars It will go from 5,000 to $ 15,000, depending on the type of vehicle and its base price. If this happens, it will fall as a waterfall to the employees to whom there will be less money to continue paying and, in turn, will cost them more money to make consumer goods. At the moment, the trust of US consumers has already fallen to values ​​of 2021, according to Bloomberg. When the Economy is aimed at a recessionone of the sectors that most usually suffers is that of the car. Keep in mind that the car is one of the greatest investments we make throughout our lives. For disbursement, it is usually the most important after the purchase of a house. When the economy enters crisis, Renewal times are lengthened and Less cars are sold. The 2008 crisis brought with him a Huge drop in car sale. That year, Spain returned to 1997 in terms of productive volume with An interannual fall of 12%. In our country, in 2006 1.6 million cars were enrolled and in 2012 The million had not been exceeded of units sold. Obviously, Spain is not in the 2008 pre -crisis bubble but we must look at countries like Germany. The German country is the main buyer of Spanish vehiclesfollowed by France. Has based much of its economy on exports And those of cars is the most remarkable to the point of being the first European and sixth producer and exporter in the world, with more than 4.1 million exported units (Spain did not reach 2.5 million last year). The German country has already added two years in a row in recession And the prospects for this 2025 was to grow very little. As little as just 0.3%. Calculations that were made before the announcement of the new tariffs presented last night. For its part, France grew last year 1.1% But household investment fell 6%. Again, everything points to lower consumption. The positive part is that Spain is facing a conversion betting on electric mobility. Although in Spain cars with combustion and cheap engines continue to lead the market, European manufacturers need to start selling all the electric ones that can go to go compensating emissions for 2027. And that implies lowering prices and making them more competitive in front of gasoline cars. What is evident is that an economy in recession or stops only negatively impacts the sale of vehicles. And that sale of vehicles depends on the 10% of Spanish GDP. Photo | The White House and Volkswagen In Xataka | Trump tariffs have caused the Big Tech debacle in the stock market. And propose a slowdown in investment in AI

Thousands of Latin Americans have entered Europe with a formula that Italy has just suppressed: the great -grandparents

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A fact to place the measure taken by the Italian government in context. Only in 2024, the figure of new Italian citizens who registered through the consulates of Argentina and Brazil registered 30,000 and 20,000 cases respectively. The majority did it in the way that is being done for decades and that has allowed it to emigrate hundreds of thousands of people from South America to Europe: by the ancestry of blood. Italy just put the formula. Restrict citizens. The European nation has decided to considerably cut citizens by ancestry (Jus Sanguinis), limiting it exclusively to those who have Italian parents or grandparentsthus eliminating the possibility that for decades allowed distant descendants, even fourth or fifth generation, obtaining it if they could try an Italian ancestor alive after 1861. The decision, announced by the Giorgia Meloni government and Executed immediately Without prior notice, it seeks to stop the institutional collapse generated by the Application floodmostly from South America, where millions of people with Italian roots have tried to access a European passport. According to Antonio TajaniForeign Minister, the measure responds to “years of abuse”, since many applicants do not have real links with Italy and seek citizens only to facilitate international mobility. Prove to be bilingual. Apparently, the measure also forces applicants to demonstrate Italian language mastery through an official exam, having resided at least Three years in Italyand undergo a centralized process with face -to -face interviews, eliminating traditional management through consulates. Plus: They must comply with obligations such as voting, paying taxes and renewing documents so as not to lose nationality. In addition, the transmission of citizenship by marriage hardens, demanding two years of joint residence in Italy, while the application cost is has doubled at 600 euros. On the other hand, the Italians who reside outside and do not comply with these obligations run the risk of losing their citizenship, which even affects their descendants. Saturated system, millionaire business. Of course, there is much more behind the measure. As The New York Times saidthe problem is not only numerical: in the last decade, the number of Italians residing abroad grew by 40%, from 4.6 million in 2014 to 6.4 million in 2024mainly for the granting of new citizenships. In 2024 and as we advanced, only in Argentina 30,000 citizenships were granted, and in Brazil, another 20,000. No doubt, the avalanche has overflowed courts, civil records and consulates, where the Quotes at dawn To achieve a turn. In addition, a lucrative parallel business has been generated where companies and managers charge thousands of euros to applicants to track documents and submit requests, taking advantage of a law that, according to Tajani, “became an opportunity for simulated fraud and citizenship.” The ethical (and political) dilemma. The measure has generated debate even within the Italian right itself. While nationalist sectors support to restrict access to prevent citizenship from being seen only as a means of obtaining a passport, others criticize that, while nationality is granted to distant descendants, children of immigrants continue to be denied born and raised in Italywho can only aspire to it when they turn 18 and under strict conditions. Plus: Italy faces a problem that reproduces more and more nations. We talk about the serious demographic crisiswith low birth and population aging, but it has still chosen to restrict, instead of flexible, its citizenship policy. Legal changes and hardening. The reform is not isolated. Since October 2024, the Ministry of Interior had already begun to Limit applications After a stricter interpretation of the Supreme Court in which he cut the chain of citizenship transmission if an ancestor had naturalized in another country while their children were minors, leaving thousands of applicants without options after years of investment and procedures. The new decision has caused frustration among those who had been collecting documents for years and managing files, an anger that has been reflected In forums and social networks where testimonies abound about the great sums of money and time lost. They counted on CNN The case of many families traveling to Italy from South America to initiate the citizenship process and who are now without legal support after having sold properties and reorganized their lives following the previous regulations. If you want also, the reform thus deepens the distance between Italy that protects its symbolic bond with emigrants from past generations and the one that still does not fully integrate those who are already part of their current society. Image | Pexels In Xataka | Passports that open more doors worldwide, explained in a detailed graphic In Xataka | All the steps to request the “grandson law”: the process to obtain Spanish nationality if you are Argentine

How Europe will depend on China even more

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A few days ago, the European Commission advertisement In social networks a survival kit of at least 72 hours in case of war or natural disaster. However, behind all this uncertainty, an even greater problem is hidden: fierce competition for strategic resources that will define the future of security in Europe. Mineral crisis. In recent years, certain niche minerals have been affected by a combination of high demand, supply restrictions and international policies. The elements required for defense are also used in the aerospace sector and technology, so its shortage is causing a bottleneck for Europe in its prices, such as He explained Ellie Saklatvala, senior metal analyst of the British raw material consultant in Argus Media. The most demanded. In your analysis For Financial Times, Saklatvala, has detailed That among the most critical is antimony, renio and hafnio, materials used to manufacture from bullets to combat aircraft components and advanced medical systems. To these are added other metals, such as tungsten, titanium, chromium, niobium, cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium, which are used for the manufacture of weapons, missiles and technological equipment of high precision. In addition, minerals such as Gallium, Germanio and rare earths are important for the production of advanced electronic semiconductors and components. A considerable increase in critics. The growing demand for these metals by the military industry, combined with scarcity, has caused a price escalation. According to Saklatavaa clear example is the antimony, a key mineral for hardening bullets and manufacturing firepro export controls Taxes by China. This same pressure for supplies has affected the Rhenio, used in Jet turbines, and the hafnium, essential in the aerospace industry. In both cases, scarcity has caused That prices rise unexpectedly, affecting both the military industry and sectors such as aerospace and health. A few dominate production. The control of these resources is not equally distributed in the world. China It has consolidated As the main producer and refining of many of these critical minerals, which has allowed him to obtain a considerable strategic advantage over other economic actors. China Master the extraction and processing of key raw materials, which represents a challenge for nations that seek to reduce its dependence on this Asian giant. In addition, the domain has increased due to China’s strong investment in mining assets in Africa, Latin America and other regions rich in resources. A few countries dominate the production of critical raw materials | Bloomberg An answer from Europe. The EU has begun to implement strategies to diversify its supply sources and reduce China dependence. Through the “Critical raw materials law“, seeks to facilitate the financing of new mining and refining projects within Europe, such as the future Site of key elements in Extremadura. In parallel, the European Commission has promoted the “Clean Industrial Pact“To consolidate the demand for critical materials at the regional level, although there is still a long way to reduce the dependence of China, which continues to control in some cases 100% of the necessary matters in Europe. Forecasts. The growing competition for critical minerals highlights an unavoidable truth: Europe’s economic and technological security is at stake. The diversification of sources, strategic investments and regional collaboration are essential to ensure that the continent does not depend exclusively on global actors such as China. However, everything will be to be seen since the demand for minerals will continue to grow before the last measure of the EU. In it, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed an increase in military expenditure of the Member States by 1.5 points of GDP, which would result at additional 650,000 million euros in the next four years, According to the medium expansion. Image | Pexels Xataka | Spain, with a treasure under his feet: how his mining potential makes him a key pawn from the EU in front of China

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