Photo by syahmi syahir on Unsplash The ongoing global trade war has created major uncertainty for businesses operating on both sides of the Atlantic, including the EU. One key area of Donald Trump’s trade policy is China and the question is: how will China respond to these policies and what will be the impact on…
Author: Martin Banks
Tour and Taxis Buzzing
Photo by G-R Mottez on Unsplash Spring is in the air, and you can feel it in every corner of Tour & Taxis, the well-known Brussels venue for events. This month, the place is positively buzzing with activities. These range from top-level sports, a major photo exhibition, markets, design and urban culture. From April 22…
Bright Future for HORECA
Horeca has a bright future, says head of top hospitality brand The head of a leading hospitality brand says the industry still faces difficulties after the coronavirus pandemic but will not only survive but flourish in the coming years. Laurent Gardinier, the new president of Relais & Chateaux, voiced optimism that the industry can withstand…
Top festival returns for another year
Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash From 9 to 31 May, the 30th edition of Kunstenfestivaldesarts will celebrate contemporary artistic creation through theatre, dance, performance, and visual arts from around the world and Belgium. The full programme was presented to the public on 1 April during a programme launch at the Beursschouwburg. Kunstenfestivaldesarts 2025 brings…
MEPs Condemn Sweeping US Tariffs on EU
Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash MEPs have attacked President Trump’s 20 percent tariffs on goods from the EU entering the U.S. The announcement was made by Donald Trump on Wednesday. Reaction from MEPs was swift with Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, saying, “While President Trump might call…
Designs on Comfortable, Timeless and Elegant
British-born Claire Saumarez-Roth moved to Belgium as a trailing spouse but, as with so many others, found herself falling in love with the country and has now put down roots here. Claire lives in Uccle and works as an interior designer. In an interview she told this website about her work here, including what she…
Stand Up in Solidarity
Photo by Miha Rekar on Unsplash Ukrainian civil society actors joined forces with European policymakers to discuss the role of civil society and Trade Unions in the resistance “against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.” The discussions at a conference in Brussels come as US President Donald Trump continues to pile increasing pressure on Ukrainians to hand…
EU Looks for Alternative to Live Animal Transport
Photo by Joan W on Unsplash Millions of animals go on difficult journeys within and outside of Europe each year. Transported via land and sea, these sentient beings, says campaign group Eurogroup for Animals, have few rules in place to protect their welfare, especially when they are exported to countries outside of the EU. The…
Peripheral Regions Vital for EU’s Success
Photo by Eleonora Altomare on Unsplash Regional leaders from across Europe gathered in Bari, Italy, for a key conference on maritime-related issues. It was organised by the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) which represents more than 150 regional authorities from 24 countries across Europe and beyond. It was the first CPMR Political Bureau of 2025,…
Bringing Wildlife Criminals to Justice
Photo by Matthew Kerslake on Unsplash Campaigners say the first formal appointment of a wildlife conservation organisation as a Trusted Flagger in the European Union will work to highlight online activity by wildlife criminals. Online platforms used by criminals will now be legally bound to respond and prioritise materials identified as illegal by the International…