China agrees to slash EU hybrid car exports in half, putting brake on trade war

China is not a free market economy! How much has the communist government of China pushed EV production and exports?

"China and EU reach ‘understanding’ on hybrid vehicles after crunch trade talks

The European Union and China “reached an understanding” on trade in hybrid electric vehicles during marathon negotiations in Beijing on Friday, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement."

China agrees to slash EU hybrid car exports in half, putting brake on trade war | South China Morning Post

Belgium Hits Boiling Point; Student Protest Storm Grips Cities; 100+ Arrested in Liege

Are the French protests spreading? Which other country will be next?

(260) Belgium Hits Boiling Point; Student Protest Storm Grips Cities; 100+ Arrested in Liege | Vantage - YouTube

EU, Philippines reach free trade deal that would eliminate over 94% tariffs on both sides

Good news!

(239) EU, Philippines reach free trade deal that would eliminate over 94% tariffs on both sides - YouTube

Could Australia join the European Union? Really!

Not if New Zealand refuses to go along! Just kidding!

What is the urge to join the EU by remote countries like Canada or now Australia?

I did not watch the 20 minutes long video. I suspect this is more idle talk than anything else.

(1) Could Australia join the European Union? - YouTube

EU and China on the brink of trade war

Is the EU finally waking up!

(1) EU and China on the brink of trade war | DW News - YouTube

Chart of the day

Europäische Wettbewerbsfähigkeit - quo vadis? 

Quelle

Canada wants to become an ‘associate member’ of the EU.

Good luck with that! The EU is no panacea (aske the UK)!

"Prime Minister Mark Carney is accelerating a strategic pivot to Europe. After holding private conversations with almost every major European leader on how to more deeply plug Canada into the European Union, he instructed his team to scope out the most ambitious possibilities short of full membership in Europe’s 27-nation club.

In effect, President Trump’s threat to make Canada the 51st state has pushed America’s northern neighbor so close to Europe that leaders have begun to half-in-jest dub it the EU’s newest member."

The Wall Street Journal What's news

Europe's The Exploration Company (TEC) nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX

Good news! Europe is trying to catch up with the US, India, and China.

Just a few days ago German Isar Aerospace achieves first launch to orbit from continental Europe (Norway).

"... TEC’s timeline is more pragmatic, but it is tight. Its most immediate focus is Nyx, a reusable capsule akin to SpaceX’s Dragon and capable of carrying cargo, then people. The company intends to get Nyx to dock with the soon-to-be-retired International Space Station and return safely to Earth by November 2028. ..."

The Exploration Company nabs $450 million to challenge SpaceX | TechCrunch

History for European spaceflight: Isar Aerospace reaches orbit and deploys payloads on second flight (original news release)

No caption available for this photo (presumably the launch of the German rocket in Norway)

12 countries (EU, Canada, and UK) announce boycott of goods from settlements. Really!

Maybe another bad move by the new British Prime Minister Burnham!

What kind of deplorable foreign interference into the internal affairs of the only democracy in the Middle EAst is this? Bullies (Canada & EU) against a small country!

"Twelve countries (11 European countries and Canada) today announced that they will boycott products made by Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The joint move reflects a new low-point in relations between Israel and Europe over the situation in Gaza and the territories.

Britain led the announcement, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband declaring that the UK had "taken a central role" in formulating the sanctions. The announcement by the list of countries, some of which have already taken the step and some of which have only declared their willingness to do so, was made following a failure to move forward with sanctions at the EU level due to the position of pro-Israeli countries. ..."

12 countries announce boycott of goods from settlements - Globes "Eleven European countries and Canada will boycott goods from Jewish settlements beyond the ‘green line.'"

European Union is Preparing to Admit 40,000 Gazans starting in 2027

Bad news, if confirmed! Is this another example of the suicide of Western culture?

How many of the Arabs living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank were sympathizers, supporters or even members of the coward mass killers Hamas?

"A working plan is being discussed to facilitate the departure of Palestinian families from Gaza and their reunification with relatives in Europe, according to reports from well-sourced security channels.

Though European Union officials and member states have consistently rejected mass resettlement schemes for Gazans, the reported proposal, which began taking shape around two months ago, envisions an initial framework starting in early 2027 to transfer around 40,000 Palestinians to European countries over several months. Greece, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and, of course, the United Kingdom are cited among the prospective destinations. ..."

Europeans Preparing to Admit 40,000 Gazans | Frontpage Mag "What could possibly go wrong?"

Europe Wants Thousands of Gazans to Immigrate. What Could Go Wrong?

EU to suspend Brazilian meat imports from September 3, citing lack of compliance with antimicrobial rules. Other goods like honey and honey are affected too. Really!

Bad news! The EU is more and more becoming a bully! Another attack on global free trade based on strict non-tariff barriers!

What is good for humans is not good for animals? This is outrageous! Antimicrobial resistance is a dubious excuse by the EU!

"...

• The EU had announced ​in May that Brazil was set to be removed ​from a list of compliant countries exporting ⁠certain animal products to the bloc.
• The Commission spokesperson ​told reporters that the EU had not received guarantees ​of Brazil's compliance with the bloc's requirement that antimicrobials not be used for animal growth.
• For poultry and honey, an audit ​of Brazilian production is due to be completed ​at the end of this week, though results will not be ‌available ⁠immediately, the spokesperson said.
• For beef, of which Brazil was the EU's second-largest supplier in 2025, the EU was seeking guarantees covering the whole life cycle ​of animals, the ​spokesperson added.
• The ⁠Commission did not give a timeline for a possible lifting of the ban.
• The ​EU also prohibits giving animals antimicrobials that ​are ⁠used to treat humans, including antibiotics.

..."

EU to suspend Brazilian meat imports from September 3, citing antimicrobial rules | Reuters

EU suspends Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic compliance concerns "The European Union will suspend imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products from Thursday, citing concerns over Brazil’s compliance with EU rules on antibiotic use in livestock. The move affects poultry, beef, eggs and honey, with Brussels offering no timeline for when trade can resume."

Credits: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

EU Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox under Digital Services Act | Shaping Europe’s digital future. Really!

Most likely a very stupid big government decision! Reeks of government paternalism!

Apparently, the EU wants to fall further behind in AI!

I hope OpenAI or Reddit and others affected will shut down their service in the European Union in response to this decision by the EU Commission!

"These services declared that they reach at least 45 million average monthly users in the EU and thus meet the threshold for designation.

Following the notification of the designations, these services have four months, i.e. by January 2027, to comply with the additional DSA obligations for VLOPs [Very Large Online Platforms] and VLOSEs [Very Large Online Search Engines], such as assessing and mitigating the systemic risks [???] stemming from their service and algorithmic systems related to the

dissemination of illegal content [???], the 

negative effects on minors [???], 

users’ physical and mental well-being [???], 

fundamental rights [???], 

electoral processes and public security [???]. ..."

"... The designations bring the total number of platforms and search engines under the DSA's strictest tier to 28.

The regulation has already produced around €870 million in fines, including a record €550 million penalty against AliExpress in July for failing to curb the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods, a €200 million fine against Temu in May for comparable failings and a €120 million fine against X in December 2025 over content moderation and transparency shortcomings. ..."

Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox under Digital Services Act | Shaping Europe’s digital future

EU places ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under strictest digital safety rules "Brussels has classified ChatGPT as a search engine under the Digital Services Act, a first for an AI chatbot, and designated Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms. All three have four months to comply."

Credits: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Gefährliche Gedankenspiele: Von der Leyen will private Bankguthaben staatlich lenken

Will sich die EU Kommission tatsächlich an den Sparguthaben der EU Bürger vergreifen oder war das wieder nur ein peinlicher Ausrutscher der Flintenuschi?

Gefährliche Gedankenspiele: Von der Leyen will private Bankguthaben staatlich lenken "Die EU steht am Rande einer Staatsschuldenkrise. Gleichzeitig lähmen Klimapolitik, Überregulierung und Staatswirtschaft die Ökonomie. Ursula von der Leyen bietet eine Lösung an: die Aktivierung der Bankguthaben der EU-Bürger per Staatsdekret."

Ursula von der Leyen mit erhobenen Fäusten

Why Iceland is Not resuming negotiations to join the EU

Very recommendable!

(150) Why Iceland is Not Joining the EU - YouTube

Iceland votes against restarting EU membership talks

Good news! Stay independent of the EU as much as you can!

Population of Iceland about 400,000.

"Iceland has voted against resuming talks on joining the European Union 13 years after they were broken off.

Public broadcaster RUV reported that 52.8% of the more than 225,000 people who voted had rejected the government's proposal, while 47.2% had backed it. Some 12,600 votes separated them.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir's centre-left government promised to hold a referendum by 2027, but brought it forward because of international tensions, including US President Donald Trump's threats against Greenland.

However, debate in this island nation of almost 400,000 people centred more on its fishing industry rather than security concerns.

With some 270,000 people eligible to vote, RUV reported the turnout of 82.5% was the highest in any Icelandic election since 2009.

Already part of the EU's single market and Schengen border-free zone, full EU membership would bring Iceland into the customs union and eventually the eurozone currency union. ..."

Iceland votes against restarting EU membership talks

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir

Warum Strom in Österreich zu teuer ist (Rund 90 Prozent des Stromverbrauchs stammen aus erneuerbaren Energiequellen)

Gilt etwas ähnliches auch fuer die Bananenrepublik D?

An dem Phänomen ist wohl wenig paradox! Wer glaubt das Ökostrom billig sei ist ein Phantast.

Hinweis es ist doch schön wenn die Haushalte viel mehr für Strom bezahlen als die Unternehmen pro kWh. Eine schöne Quersubventionierung, die in Europa seit vielen Jahrzehnten betrieben wird.

"... Trotzdem sind wir im Energiepreis-Spitzenfeld [in der EU?], wie Betriebe und Haushalte laufend spüren müssen. ..."

",.. Da kommen nun 90 Prozent unseres Stromverbrauchs aus erneuerbaren Quellen – mehr als in jedem anderen Land in der EU – und doch steigen die Preise immer weiter. Auch die Stromkostenbremse konnte den Stöpsel nur kurz auf der Flasche halten; die österreichischen Haushalte zahlten Ende 2025 laut Eurostat über 30 Cent pro Kilowattstunde und damit deutlich mehr als im EU-Schnitt. Für die Industrie sieht es nur wenig besser aus. ..."

Warum Strom in Österreich zu teuer ist

Das Ökostrom Paradox "Wenn die Sonne angeblich keine Rechnung schickt, dann sollten das die Flüsse und Bäche Österreichs doch auch nicht tun, oder? Viereinhalb ökonomische Ideen für billigeren Strom."

EU: Freiheitseinschränkung der Bürger durch neue Kapitalkontrollen gegen Banken aus Drittstaaten

Sehr bedenklich! Zieht die Festung EU noch mehr Zugbrücken rauf! Betrifft das z.B. auch das Vereinigte Königreich und Schweiz?

Hinweis ich habe den Artikel nicht gelesen.

"Ab dem 11. Januar 2027 droht EU-Bürgern mit Auslandskonten Ungemach. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt soll es Banken aus Drittstaaten wie der Schweiz, Großbritannien, den USA oder auch Singapur untersagt sein, europäischen Bürgern sogenannte Kernbankdienstleistungen anzubieten. Damit sind im Prinzip drei Kernfunktionen gemeint: das klassische Einlagengeschäft, also Giro-, Spar- oder Festgeldkonten, das Kreditgeschäft sowie das Garantiegeschäft. Banken, die diese Dienstleistungen auch künftig EU-Bürgern anbieten wollen, müssen dann eine eigens zugelassene, vollständig beaufsichtigte Zweigstelle in genau dem Mitgliedstaat unterhalten, in dem der Kunde ansässig ist. ..."

EU: Freiheitseinschränkung der Bürger durch neue Kapitalkontrollen "Brüssel zieht die finanzielle Repressionsschlinge enger. Ab 2027 erschwert die EU ihren Bürgern den Zugang zu Konten außerhalb ihres Machtbereichs. Hinter technokratischen Formeln wächst eine totalitäre Finanzarchitektur, die Kapital bindet und den Zugriff auf privates Vermögen vorbereitet. In Brüssel weiß man, dass hier alles zusammenbricht."

CO₂-Emissionen: Volkswagen drohen Milliardenstrafen der EU. Wirklich!

Der Klimawahn tobt nicht nur in der Bananenrepublik D! Ist VW auch exemplarisch für die Misere der Bananenrepublik D? Jede Wette!

Geht es noch absurder?

CO₂-Emissionen: Volkswagen drohen Milliardenstrafen der EU | FAZ (Abo erforderlich) "Weil Volkswagen zu wenig Elektroautos verkauft [???], werden die europäischen Grenzwerte für CO₂-Emissionen nicht eingehalten [???]. Das kann teuer werden. Für die Tochtergesellschaft Porsche deutet sich eine Lösung unter chinesischer Beteiligung an."

How Cyprus is Becoming the EU’s New major Energy Supplier

Good news! Recommendable!

(515) How Cyprus is Becoming the EU’s New Energy Supplier - YouTube

Germany’s Auto Giant VW and the US Ford are Losing the Race to please government climate dictates

Recommendable!

Big government and many of the elites promote and exploit the global warming hoax and climate change religion as a pretext for more socialism!

Why the US never repealed the socialist Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards (enacted in 1975) is beyond belief! President Trump are you listening!

"... In late 2025, EU leadership announced sweeping directives for reaching all-time emissions lows. One of those requirements in the passenger vehicle market requires EU-based automakers “to comply with a 90 percent tailpipe emissions reduction target, while the remaining 10 percent emissions will need to be compensated through the use of low-carbon steel Made in the Union, or from e-fuels and biofuels.”  ...

This is a classic case of government-induced malinvestment into certain lines of production. Based on the EU regulators’ decrees for a 2035 ban on the manufacturing and sale of internal combustion engines ...

Ford is now in a better position than VW in this respect, as the Trump administration has scaled back the Biden team’s more stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements. But there’s still plenty to be undone. The current administration’s estimates indicate that there would be $109 billion in savings to American carmakers by loosening emissions rules. Nevertheless, the rules still require that all US-made passenger vehicles make 34.1 mpg by 2031. That’s a significant reduction from the previous administration’s demands for mpg to reach over 50 mpg. Yet, consumers’ tastes for maximizing fuel efficiency have hit a wall. ..."

Germany’s Auto Giant Is Losing the Race | The Daily Economy

This chart does not even show the big Chinese competitors