"Closing ranks with international partners"
Hannover Messe 2025 attracted around 127,000 visitors from 150 countries. The event was all about artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digitalization and sustainable energy supply.
read more...read more...US tariffs: what the economy and consumers can expect now
Donald Trump's unprecedented tariff package is shaking up global trade - and poses major questions for business, politics and consumers. The EU and China are responding with countermeasures, but are maintaining their dialog. Here we explain how the tariffs affect Germany, the global economy and everyday life.
read more...VDMA at the Hannover Messe 2025
Mechanical engineering calls for far-reaching reforms
At Hannover Messe 2025, the mechanical and plant engineering industry emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms in order to strengthen industrial competitiveness in Germany and Europe. The VDMA believes that the German government and the European Union in particular have a duty to improve economic conditions and reduce bureaucracy.
read more...China wants to invest billions in robotics and AI
The State Development and Reform Commission of China has announced that it will set up a publicly supported venture capital fund for robotics, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge innovations. A total of around 128 billion euros is to be raised over a period of twenty years.
read more...Digitalization: Germany is slowing down
Despite billions invested in fibre optics and 5G, digitalization in Germany is lagging behind, as a DIHK survey shows. Slow approvals and high costs are slowing down network expansion - with consequences for companies that rely on the cloud and AI.
read more...Sentiment in the automotive industry sinks to a new low
The German automotive industry is in crisis: the Ifo Institute's business climate index fell to a new low in January, burdened by Chinese competition, US tariff threats and difficult market conditions. Experts are warning of a serious threat to competitiveness.
read more...Effects on trade and strategies
Results of the reader survey on the Trump administration
In our reader survey, we examined the impact of Trump's presidency on international trade and business strategies. Most respondents fear trade difficulties, tensions in transatlantic relations and political uncertainty. Many companies are focusing on strengthening their existing markets.
read more...IfW, DIW, IWH, RWI and Ifo Institute
Economic researchers lower their growth forecasts further
The leading German economic institutes see hardly any growth impetus for 2025, but instead rising unemployment figures and persistent weaknesses in the location. According to experts, only a stable government with a clear economic policy strategy could stop a decline in investment and creeping deindustrialization.
read more...Exports shrink - exports to the USA collapse
The headwind for Germany's exporters on the global markets remains strong. In October, they had to cope with sharp declines - especially in their most important sales market, the USA.
read more...Business location under pressure
Red-Greens want to reduce electricity costs - search for majority
The German economy has long complained about electricity prices that are high by international standards. The German government wants to take countermeasures - but no longer has a majority in the Bundestag.
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