Politics

Derk Boswijk, the State Secretary for Defence, expects a formal revision of military protocols to address the increasing risk of wildfires during dry periods. While an investigation into recent blazes is ongoing, Boswijk emphasised that safety procedures must be modernised to reflect the reality of longer droughts in the Netherlands. In the meantime, the armed forces have already scaled back activities, banning the use of pyrotechnics and outdoor cooking to prevent further accidental outbreaks.

The war in the Middle East is pushing Air France‑KLM’s fuel bill up by 2.4 billion dollars this year, with higher ticket prices and a trimmed growth plan the most visible effects for passengers.

Exports slow and Middle East tensions cloud the outlook, but consumption and several key sectors signal underlying resilience.

Global crop prices have surged to their highest level since 2023, driven by the Iran war, supply disruptions, and extreme weather, raising concerns over rising food costs worldwide.

The European Union has signed a strategic roadmap to bolster its global competitiveness by simplifying internal market rules and reducing red tape. The agreement sets a clear timeline through 2027 for the European Commission to propose new laws, such as the "EU Inc." initiative to ease cross-border business and measures to lower energy prices. By committing to fast-track these proposals, member states and the European Parliament aim to create a more efficient trading environment that fosters economic growth across the 27 nations.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten has warned that Europe is being sidelined in Middle East diplomacy, urging the EU to take a more decisive stand in regional conflicts. Speaking ahead of a summit in Cyprus, Jetten proposed abolishing national vetoes to allow for faster collective action and called for stronger economic and military ties with neighbours like Lebanon and Syria. By providing more coordinated aid and building closer friendships, he believes Europe can help reduce regional tensions and better manage the resulting migration flows that directly impact the continent.

The European Union and the United States are set to sign a preliminary agreement this Friday to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals, which are essential for manufacturing products like smartphones and electric car batteries. Aimed at reducing a heavy global reliance on Chinese supplies, the deal between European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to include incentives like minimum price guarantees. By supporting non-Chinese suppliers, the partnership seeks to secure more resilient supply chains for these vital raw materials.

ING expects the eurozone’s trade surplus to fall sharply this year because of the Middle East war and rising competition from China, with the bloc at risk of a sizeable trade deficit in 2026.