Operations
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EU court upholds EU–US data transfer deal
EU court upholds data transfer framework between Europe and US. The ruling rejected a legal challenge and confirmed that the framework’s safeguards are adequate, allowing businesses across sectors to continue transatlantic transfers with renewed certainty after years of disruption caused by previous court annulments of earlier agreements.
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US ends tariff exemption for low‑value parcels
US duty‑free import threshold scrapped for parcels under $800. The United States has eliminated its longstanding tariff exemption for low‑value imports, forcing businesses and logistics providers to reconfigure shipping strategies as new charges and regulatory complexity take effect.
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A continent divided: Europe recovers — but UK remains cautious
Eurozone businesses show growth as UK company confidence remains fragile. Fresh data reveals continental factories and services gaining pace, while UK surveys highlight costs, labour pressures, and deep uncertainty. But why is Europe moving forward while Britain struggles to find momentum?
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US and EU agree trade reset at 15% tariff ceiling
New trade deal imposes 15% cap on most EU exports. The United States and European Union have signed a tariff framework capping most duties at 15%, exempting select sectors and outlining reciprocal measures in energy, agriculture and investment. The provisional pact leaves several disputes unresolved, with legislative steps still pending.
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BRICs and the new rules of global commerce
Tariffs have become geopolitical weapons of trade warfare in 2025. The US is targeting BRICS countries with sweeping levies, forcing businesses to rethink supply chains, risk planning, and resilience in a fragmented trade order.
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Oil and gold rise ahead of Washington summit
Oil and gold prices edged higher before high-level Washington talks. Market moves reflect geopolitical caution, easing supply concerns and shifting rate expectations, as investors weigh signals from President Trump’s summit with President Zelenskyy alongside the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium later this week.
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China’s exports surge as shippers race tariff deadline
China’s exports rose sharply in July, surprising many market watchers. Businesses accelerated shipments ahead of a new US tariff deadline, driving a sharp rise in exports and a 4.1% increase in imports. Southeast Asia absorbed more Chinese goods as trade shifted amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
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US escalates lobbying against EU’s digital services law
US diplomats mount formal campaign against the EU’s digital law. A confidential directive from Washington has instructed American diplomats in Europe to push for changes to the Digital Services Act, arguing the rules burden US tech companies and threaten free speech. European authorities are standing firm as regulatory tensions grow.
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Trump signals new semiconductor and pharma tariffs
US tariffs on semiconductor and drug imports could reach 250%. Markets face uncertainty as technology and healthcare companies brace for higher costs and new supply-chain disruption in the wake of President Trump’s latest trade escalation and fragile international talks.
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Eurozone’s spending reset: modest growth meets lasting behaviour shift
Analysts expect modest recovery in this week’s Eurozone retail data. But behind the numbers lies a deeper transformation in consumer priorities. As trust, transparency, and value redefinition take centre stage, Europe’s B2C leaders are rethinking how to compete — and what it means to stay relevant.