Agora
Posts by Jens Bastian
Are Chinese investments starting to hit a wall in Germany?
For two successive years, China has been Germany’s most important trading partner. In 2017, the trade volume between both countries reached 186,6 billion euro. Germany’s second most important trading partner was The Netherlands with 177 billion euro, followed by the United States (173 billion euro) and France (169 billion euro).
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (289), Economy (341)
Preparing for a new normal in German politics
What a start to the week in German politics: Following the huge losses of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the regional elections in Hesse, Angela Merkel, the party leader since April 2000 and Chancellor since November 2005, announced her gradual retreat from German politics.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (289), Politics (407)
Saving Angela Merkel with the help of Alexis Tsipras
The recent Council summit of the EU was termed a make-or-break moment by some of its participants. Numerous media representatives gathered in Brussels reported that the raison d’être of the EU was at risk. Most financial analysts predicted a stormy reaction in bond markets if a compromise could not be reached.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (289), Politics (407), Society (149), Greece (519)
How 'clean' can an exit be? Athens snared between Rome and Berlin
The recent events in Italy have reminded complacent decision makers and investors of the importance of political risk in the euro area. Disregarding political dangers emanating from Rome for too long has created costs and given rise to negative feedback loops in other countries.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (289), Politics (407), Economy (341), Greece (519)
Collateral damage in Europe?
Like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck, EU member states and candidate countries aspiring to join the club in Brussels are watching with growing trepidation the escalating trade conflict between the United States and China. For many countries in Europe the two feuding states are among their largest trading partners after the EU.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (289), Economy (341)