Shipping industry braces for chaos as US-China trade tensions escalate
As the massive pink-hulled container ship ONE Modern pulls into the Port of Hong Kong, its crew rushes to offload more than 700 containers within a tight 10-hour window.
In 2024, China was the EU’s biggest import partner and third-largest export destination, with €213.3 billion in exports and €517.8 billion in imports. This resulted in a €304.5 billion trade deficit, while only Ireland and Luxembourg recorded trade surpluses.
China played a crucial role in EU trade in 2024, ranking as the bloc’s top import source and third-largest export market. The EU exported goods worth €213.3 billion to China, while imports reached €517.8 billion, leading to a €304.5 billion trade deficit, according to Eurostat data.
Among EU nations, only Ireland and Luxembourg recorded trade surpluses with China, while the other 25 member states experienced trade deficits. The Netherlands had the highest deficit at €85 billion.
China accounted for 21.3% of the EU’s total imports, followed by the United States (13.7%) and the United Kingdom (6.8%). In terms of exports, China ranked third after the United States (20.6%) and the United Kingdom (13.2%).
Trade volumes between the EU and China declined in 2024 compared to 2023, with imports decreasing by 0.5% and exports dropping by 4.5%. However, over the past decade (2014-2024), imports from China surged by 101.9%, while EU exports increased by 47.0%.
The top three EU importers of Chinese goods were the Netherlands (€109 billion), Germany (€96 billion), and Italy (€50 billion). Meanwhile, Germany (€90 billion), France (€24 billion), and the Netherlands (€24 billion) were the largest EU exporters to China.
Manufactured goods dominated EU-China trade, accounting for 88% of EU exports and 97% of imports. The primary exported goods included machinery and vehicles (51%), other manufactured products (20%), and chemicals (17%).
Similarly, manufactured goods made up nearly all EU imports from China, with primary goods contributing just 2%. The most imported items were electrical machinery, appliances, telecommunications equipment, and office and data-processing machines, which together accounted for nearly 40% of total imports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump has said he will make a decision in the coming two weeks on whether the United States will strike Iran, citing a possibility of upcoming negotiations.
Iran's foreign minister is expected in Istanbul on Saturday for a key Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council meeting as regional tensions rise over Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has temporarily barred its personnel from entering Al Udeid Air Base due to rising regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The World Bank has approved a $640 million loan to Bangladesh to help improve gas supply security and reduce dangerous air pollution in urban areas.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine “will have to understand and accept” the post-war realities, as Moscow signals openness to a third round of peace negotiations with Kyiv.
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