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Farmers in Germany protest subsidy cuts with tractor blockades

Jan 9, 2024
Farmers across Germany are continuing a weeklong protest of the government's plan to revoke key economic and agricultural tax policies by blocking major roads and highways across the country.
Farmers use their tractors to block access to a train station on Jan. 8, in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Craig Stennett/Getty Image

Why Germany’s economic backbone is saying “auf wiedersehen”

Germany is facing a budget crisis amid rising energy costs, urgent calls for immigration reform and more pressing issues.
"Germany mostly lives off the fumes of its past reputation," said  Stephan Richter, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Globalist. Above, the skyline of Frankfurt, Germany's financial hub.
Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images

As migration spikes, Germany attempts to crack down on illegal immigration

Nov 6, 2023
The number of people entering Germany without permission hit a high in September. Now, the country is levying tougher legal sentences for trafficking.
Migrants wait a German police check point near the Polish border on Oct. 11.
Jens Schlueter/AFP via Getty Images

Germany's economy stumbles, once again making it the "sick man of Europe"

Oct 26, 2023
Business activity in Germany contracted for a fourth straight month in October. Experts are labeling Europe’s largest economy the "sick man of Europe."
The International Monetary Fund expects Germany's economy to contract 0.3% this year. Above, the banking district skyline of Frankfurt.
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images

Other countries are tipping into recession — and could drag the U.S. along

Jun 20, 2023
Among them are New Zealand, Germany and, probably, China.
Germany is among the nations around the world facing a recession linked to their battles with inflation. Above, a Christmas market in Heidelberg.
Daniel Roland/AFP via Getty Images
Officials visit a natural gas pipeline facility in Lubmin, northeastern Germany. Since invasion of Ukraine, the country has effectively weaned itself off of Russian natural gas.
Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images

Germany warned about the danger of becoming economically dependent on China

Dec 1, 2022
After its over-reliance on the Kremlin for its energy, is Germany making the same mistake with Beijing?
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 4, 2022.
Photo by Kay Nietfeld/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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Chemical giant BASF is under threat after Russians turn off the gas

Oct 4, 2022
Gas rationing by the Berlin government this winter could hit the German chemical industry and dent the global economy.
BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, may be forced to grapple with natural gas rationing if Germany experiences a cold winter.
Daniel Roland/AFP via Getty Images

Germany under fire from neighbors for its dependence on Russian energy

Aug 3, 2022
Fear that Russia may terminate all natural gas flows to Europe's largest economy is causing friction among EU countries.
Some countries in Eastern Europe objected to Germany building ties with Russia around natural gas imports via the Nord Stream pipeline. Now, Germany is scrambling to prepare for additional supply cuts.
Odd Anderson/AFP via Getty Images

As Russia limits Europe's natural gas supply, Germany pays the price

Jul 26, 2022
Europe's largest economy depends on Russian gas. Vladimir Putin is using it as a political weapon.
Last year, Russia supplied more than half of Germany’s natural gas.
Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images