“But don’t even think of trying an itty-bitty reform with us!”
Healthcare staff protest plan for major cuts – Medical staff in Germany are protesting about cost-saving plans that ministers says are necessary to stop spiraling costs.
German service union Verdi is organizing protests against a round of cuts announced by the German government. The plan is aimed at reducing the burden on health insurance providers that could mean higher contributions.
No de-risk, no fun?
Germany’s China problem – and why de-risking hasn’t worked.
Dan Wang of Eurasia Group discusses the paradox of Europe’s current trade strategy, noting that Germany’s efforts to “de-risk” over the past years have actually deepened its reliance on China’s supply chain.
A more radical resuscitation remedy may be needed.
Germany urged to stop admiring Beijing and wake up to ‘China Shock 2.0’ – ‘China has already eaten much of German industry’s lunch and is preparing to start on dinner,’ thinktank says.
Germany must stop admiring China’s success in the EU or it will sleepwalk into the kind of deindustrialisation the US experienced 25 years ago, a leading Brussels thinktank has said.
That means insolvency. As in bankrupt.
As in Germany’s current coalition government under Friedrich Merz.
“Hardly any of the urgently needed structural reforms that were announced have been implemented. There is no overall plan for concrete reforms to promote growth and competitiveness. Germany’s position as a center of industry is under existential threat.”
Other than that though, the current German government is doing a great job.
And any flavor you want, simultaneously.
Germany is toast! Germany doing better! Whatever.
German industrial production fell unexpectedly in March, decreasing by 0.7% from the previous month, the federal statistics office said on Friday.
Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.5% rise.
Smart move, Germany (Schleswig-Holstein).
Reminds me of those deeper ties to Russia right before the war in Ukraine broke out.
German state eyes deeper China cooperation in energy, innovation – Significant potential exists to deepen cooperation between the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein and east China’s Zhejiang Province, particularly in energy transition, hydrogen and advanced manufacturing, according to Daniel Guenther, minister president of Schleswig-Holstein.
His remarks come as the two regions mark 40 years of partnership, with both sides seeking to expand ties despite an increasingly complex geopolitical and trade environment.
We couldn’t in the past either, of course…
But now we really can’t afford this anymore.
German health minister announces billions in cutbacks – The comprehensive reform package aims to plug a multi-billion-euro hole in Germany’s expensive healthcare system. The reforms include mandatory second opinions for costly surgeries and no more homeopathy.
That means growth.
A rare occurance in Germany these days.
Energy price shock slows growth – The war in Iran is dashing hopes for a sustained economic recovery. This is throwing the Merz administration’s entire economic policy strategy into disarray.
More like a dead cat bounce.
German Economy Grows by 0.3% in Q4, Stats Office Says – The German economy grew by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter, the statistics office said on Wednesday, confirming its preliminary reading.
Meanwhile… German auto exports to China plunged by a third in 2025, economic institute says.
For Germany.
“The China shock is here,” the German Economic Institute declared last year. Indeed, 2025 will go down as the year in which it could no longer be denied. Germany’s trade deficit with China reached a record level of €87 billion—an increase of €20 billion compared to the previous year. And German exports to China continue to be in free fall. The United States, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy have by now become more important export markets for Germany than China.
Maybe not the best top trading partner to have.
Observing Hermann 