Changes at DG Trade: Fresh start or more corporate lobbying? – Stainless Espresso

May 7, 2026 | Stainless Espresso

7 May 2026 – The European Commission has thoroughly shaken up the leadership of its most important trade-policy Directorate-General, DG Trade, as of 1 June 2026. Sabine Weyand is leaving; Juul Jørgensen is arriving. Where is DG Trade heading under the new...

Nickel: Indonesia Plans to Introduce Export and Windfall Profit Taxes – Stainless Espresso

May 6, 2026 | Stainless Espresso

6 May 2026 – The Indonesian government has once again reaffirmed its intention to introduce an export tax and a windfall profit tax on nickel. Nickel prices on the SHFE and LME are jumping higher. Asian base metals are showing significant gains today....

EU Energy Market: Yet Again Only Subsidies Instead of Real Reforms? – Stainless Espresso

May 5, 2026 | Stainless Espresso

5 May 2026 – Last week, the European Commission adopted a temporary framework for state aid against the backdrop of the crisis in the Middle East. Domestic steel producers are already calling for the measure to be extended indefinitely – but not for any...

US: Tariffs on EU Vehicles Set to Rise to 25% – Stainless Espresso

May 4, 2026 | Stainless Espresso

4 May 2026 – On 1 May 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on vehicles from the European Union are to be raised to 25% this week. But is the German Chancellor really responsible for this – or the EU Trade Commissioner’s plans for...

British Steel: Tariffs, CBAM, Rising Prices – and in the End, the Consumer Pays – Stainless Espresso

Apr 30, 2026 | Stainless Espresso

30 April 2026 – The United Kingdom is planning 50% import tariffs on steel from July 2026, along with a 60% quota cut and, from 2027, a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. According to one study, the result is clear: the cost of British steel could become among...