China threatens Germany’s top exports

Good morning from Berlin,

Subsidised Chinese exports are increasingly threatening the viability of Germany's top exporters in the global markets, putting the two countries on a “collision course”, experts told Euractiv.

The experts explained that the issue goes beyond the widely known clash over China-made electric vehicles and increasingly affects other sectors such as machinery and chemicals.

Given that Germany doesn’t have China’s massive industry-wide subsidisation, Europe’s top economy will soon have to make a critical decision.

Jonathan Packroff has the details.

Europe boasts some of the world’s most renowned spirits, from French cognac to Scottish and Irish whisky, but consumer tastes are shifting—cocktails and the rise of low and non-alcohol options are reshaping the industry due to pressure from economic challenges. Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro has the full story.

In politics, read what’s happening in Belgium and Bulgaria – both facing government instability – when it comes to selecting their EU commissioner candidates ahead of Ursula von der Leyen’s 30 August deadline.

BERLIN

In response to mounting pressure from opposition groups after a deadly knife attack by a Syrian refugee, the German government has pledged to increase deportations but remains resolute in its refusal to fundamentally change its migration policy. Read more.

Key solar panel producer to stay in Germany as US plans fall apart. Germany’s biggest solar panel producer, Meyer Burger, will not close down its plant and move to the US, the company announced on Monday. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron says Telegram CEO’s arrest has nothing to do with free speech. The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in Paris on Saturday has nothing to do with restricting free speech, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday. Read more.
Macron rules out naming leftist prime minister, prolonging political crisis. French President Emmanuel Macron ruled out naming a prime minister from the leftist New Popular Front alliance and will instead start a new round of consultations on Tuesday with parties to try to form a new government, Macron’s office said. Read more.

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BRUSSELS

Belgian Commissioner race: will it be Christmas for Reynders? As Belgium is still locked in negotiations to form its federal government, the question of the appointment of its future European Commissioner – and the fate of current Belgian Commissioner Didier Reynders – is being raised with increasing urgency as the fateful deadline date for nominee names approaches. Read more.

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THE HAGUE

Dutch Data Protection Authority hits Uber with €290 million fine for violating EU data protection rules. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) fined Uber for transferring European taxi drivers’ personal data to the US without proper protection for over two years, violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the authority announced on Monday. Read more.

ROME

While Italy’s announcement of who it will propose for its European commissioner is expected to be imminent, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has kept Commission President Ursula von der Leyen waiting, leading to speculation that their relationship has soured. Read more.
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MADRID

Spain does not rule out sanctions against Maduro’s regime. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares (PSOE/S&D) demanded on Monday that Venezuela “immediately” publish the results of last July’s elections, under the threat that Spain could impose sanctions on the South American country. Read more.

OSLO

Security services say Norway energy industry faces Russia threats. Security services from seven European countries have briefed Norwegian energy executives and officials, including from Equinor, Europe’s largest gas supplier, about what they see as Russian threats to critical infrastructure. Read more.

PRAGUE

Russian efforts to undermine European unity and security are having some effect, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský told the country’s ambassadors on Monday, as Prime Minister Petr Fiala called for a deeper discussion on how to counter these threats. Read more.

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WARSAW

Unindentified object enters Polish airspace. An unidentified object from Ukraine entered Polish airspace during a Russian bombing raid on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Monday, sparking debate over whether Poland should have taken action to intercept it. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia withdraws protection for businessman linked to pro-Russian propaganda network. Bratislava has discreetly withdrawn temporary protection from Artyom Marchevskyy, a Ukrainian-Israeli businessman linked to the pro-Russian influence network Voice of Europe after he fled to Slovakia from the Czech Republic in April. Read more.

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CHISINAU

Moldovan oligarchs with ties to Moscow undermine country’s EU integration process. Fugitive Moldovan oligarchs Ilan Shor and Veaceslav Platon have spent around €136,000 on Facebook campaigns in the last three months to spread panic, discredit Moldova’s EU integration process and boost Russia’s image, WatchDog.MD experts have found. Read more.

SOFIA

Bulgarian parties must submit their nominations for the country’s new European Commissioner by the end of the week, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev urged on Monday, as continuing political instability and preparations for snap elections in October have delayed the process. Read more.

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Martina Monti, Alice Taylor]