Maybe we’ll see a future of several global trade blocs with Cold War-like trade restrictions for dual-use goods between these blocs, accompanied by a tit-for-tat trade rather than deeper trade agreements?

Maybe the EU will have some free trade agreements (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korean,and maybe some countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America like the Mercosur members), and more tit-for-tat trade with all others?

Not necessarily ‘de-coupling’ but ‘de-risking.’ For Europe this would definitely mean EV, solar panels, cloud infrastructure, and other critical products will be made in Europe?

If this is the way, it will be not easy for Europe, but a disaster for China and the US in the long run as they rely heavily on Europe in their product trade and service industries, respectively.

Just my 2 cents.

I read this but what exactly is USA-centric here? The article is only citing Ukrainian sources if I didn’t miss something, and it only mentions the U.S. briefly (talking about “EU and US controls” of sanctions). And given the EU is not exactly far away from Ukraine it’s highly relevant I would say (even more than for the US imo).

What would you write differently if I may ask?

PM Sanchez is a right-wing politician?

Renta 4 analyst Nuria Alvarez said consumer credit would be a key driver for Spanish banking profitability in 2026, alongside corporate lending, asset management and insurance.

Good for banks?

The whole article looks at consumer loans rather than the economy, and the Spanish data doesn’t look too good imo.

Sanchez has been facing a growing list of corruption scandals and sexual harassment allegations involving his political allies and family members. Just read the news. His stance on Gaza and human rights is a show as he isn’t asking China - which he considers an “ally” - about the country’s human rights abuses, just to name an example. Just read the news. I don’t buy into his moral stance.

This is very bad but, unfortunately, not new. We have seen this for some time.

The worst thing in this context likely is that Europe might still be better than other large polluters, especially the U.S., Russia, and China, the world’s largest polluter.

Yes, and Sanchez and his party have close ties to China. Sanchez’s government even contracted China’s Huawei with the country’s judicial wiretap system (while at the same time banned Huawei from its public telcom network over security reasons). So the Spanish law enforcement, including those fighting corruption, now depends on China.

And let us not forget the Gate Center, a Spanish-Chinese so-called ‘think tank’ with close ties to the government.

[Edit typo.]

Sanchez is a ‘left winger’ that acts ‘on behalf of general wellbeing’?That’s satire, right?

There’s no need to ‘create’ something I’m afraid. These recent allegations are by far not everything. There are corruption scandals related to Sanchez’s government, political party, and even his family members.

This makes no sense as it has nothing to do with the topic or my comment. Sanchez is fighting for his own political survival and nothing else. He would do and say the exact opposite if he thinks it would help him.

Milosevic thought the same.

European Commission wants to accelerate establishment of “tribunal for Putin” for crime of aggression

It would be great if the EU would not reverse the ban, but I am afraid that Spain’s PM Sanchez isn’t doing that for some economic or environmental reason. He’s just fighting for his political survival, and topics like EVs and tge Gaza war helps him to distract from the corruption scandals of his government, close party allies, and family members. And ‘Sweden’s’ Volvo Cars is majorily owned by Geeky from China, a country that Sanchez considers a Spanish ally and investor (so human rights are not Sanchez’s thing it seems).