First glance

European Union grain imports from Ukraine: the right decision and a cynical rebellion

The European Commission was right to let restrictive measures on Ukrainian grain lapse, but the decision has had negative side-effects.

Making the most of Europe’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles

The EU anti-subsidy investigation into EVs from China is a reminder of the need for a new EU green industrial policy strategy.

Can Italy leave the Belt and Road Initiative without a backlash?

How China responds to Italy’s exit from the BRI may influence other members who are contemplating a similar move.

The State of the European Union speech must address the return of economic policy trade-offs

The European Commission president should set out the need for a new EU business model founded on the supply of genuine European public goods.

Competition with politicisation is not competition, it’s harmful protectionism

The European Union should reaffirm the principle that undue interference in competition enforcement is protectionism that has negative effects.

The manufacturing jobs boom that isn’t

The US Inflation Reduction Act shows that massive subsidies are not leading to massive manufacturing job creation.

The unjustified campaign against the nomination of Fiona Scott Morton

Critics argue that her US citizenship and previous work for US tech giants might undermine Brussels’s efforts to tackle big-tech market power.

Tax for climate finance should start with shipping

Emissions from international shipping are the most realistic target for taxes to pay for climate spending in developing countries.

European Commission antitrust case targets Google’s dominance of online ad-space buying

The European Commission for the first time is considering forcing Google to divest part of its advertising services.

Central banks: uncertainty is the problem, not managing the trilemma

Regaining price stability is difficult but doable; the bigger problem facing central banks is economic uncertainty.

The age of competition in generative artificial intelligence has begun

Competition in generative artificial intelligence spurs disruptive, potentially beneficial innovations, but not without costs and risks.

Holdings limit will prove central to the digital euro’s future

The European Central Bank says its digital currency will not be a store of value, in contrast to global counterparts.

In failure or success, SpaceX is a wake up call for Europe

Europe is lagging behind in cost-effective delivery of payloads into orbit

The US and Swiss messes may nudge the EU towards better international bank capital standards compliance

Bank collapses show the importance of strong capital and liquidity positions and should signal to the EU the benefits of closer adherence to Basel III

Green transition: create a European energy agency

As energy and climate economists, we propose that a European energy agency be set up to guide the continent’s transition to net-zero carbon by 2050.

North Sea Summit: blowing in the wind?