It is particularly difficult to foretell what the foreign policy of a US president-elect will be. We have plenty of examples of US presidents who – after coming into office – did not follow through on their electoral campaign pledges. Even though Obama did actually conclude the agreement with Iran – as promised during his … Read more
US President Barack Obama has urged his successor Donald Trump to stand up to Russia if it deviates from US “values and international norms”. Speaking in Berlin, Mr Obama said he hoped the US president-elect “does not simply take a realpolitik approach” to dealing with Russia. But he said he was encouraged by Mr Trump’s … Read more
World trade was already stalling before Donald Trump won the U. S. presidential election. Now, one of the main engines of global economic growth could go into reverse. Trump has promised to rip up major trade deals and slap huge tariffs on goods from China and Mexico, two of the Unites States’ biggest trading partners. … Read more
The European Union and Canada signed a free trade agreement on Sunday that aims to generate jobs and growth though it must still clear some 40 national and regional parliaments in Europe in the coming years to enter fully into force. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the treaty along with the heads of EU … Read more
The trade deal between the EU and US, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, is beginning its 15th round of negotiations, but concerns remain over the basic fairness of major international trade deals. Markus Burgstaller, a partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, tells the Today programme such deals have been “beneficial overall”, but … Read more
Tens of thousands of people have been protesting in cities across Germany against a proposed transatlantic trade deal between the EU and the US. Protesters say the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will lower European standards on food and environmental protection, and could lead to outsourcing and job-losses. Supporters of the deal say it … Read more
Germany’s vice-chancellor has warned the future of the EU could be in doubt if the UK’s exit is handled badly. Sigmar Gabriel said the EU would go “down the drain” if other states followed Britain’s lead and that the UK could not keep the “nice things” about Europe while taking no responsibility. It comes as … Read more
Over the past two decades, Russia’s efforts to regain its Soviet-era influence in Africa have achieved little success because “times have changed significantly, for example, a new economic and political environment, new emerging challenges, new competitive conditions and new bases for cooperation,” according to Nataliya Zaiser, a Public Policy Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs Moscow … Read more