All posts tagged: Energy prices

Merz und Klingbeil im Gipfel-Stress – POLITICO

Merz und Klingbeil im Gipfel-Stress – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Gestern wurde Lars Klingbeil (SPD) selbst ins Kanzleramt gerufen, heute ist er der Gastgeber. Ab 10 Uhr empfängt der Finanzminister die Spitzen der Wirtschaftsverbände und Gewerkschaften zum Krisentreffen. Das Ziel: Angesichts hoher Energiepreise und eines stagnierenden Wirtschaftswachstums Handlungsfähigkeit demonstrieren. Doch während Klingbeil mit dem Spritpreis-Deckel und der Übergewinnsteuer vorprescht, warnt Kanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) vor „Gießkannen-Lösungen“ und Marktinterventionen. Zusammen mit Nikolaus Doll von WELT analysiert Rixa Fürsen, wie die Koalition vor einem Wochenende der Dauerkrisensitzungen steht und warum echte Entlastungen am riesigen Haushaltsloch zu scheitern drohen. In Islamabad beginnen die entscheidenden Gespräche zwischen den USA und dem Iran. Ziel ist es, aus der fragilen Waffenruhe ein dauerhaftes Kriegsende zu machen. Doch der 10-Punkte-Plan der Mullahs und die weiterhin gesperrte Straße von Hormuz sind massive Hürden. Hans von der Burchard ordnet das Setting ein und beleuchtet die Rolle Israels, dessen hartes Vorgehen im Libanon Kanzler Merz deutlich als Gefahr für den gesamten Friedensprozess kritisiert. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview spricht Paul Ziemiak (CDU). Als Mitglied im Auswärtigen Ausschuss und Berichterstatter für den Libanon erklärt er, warum Bomben allein das …

Geht die Energiekrise trotz Waffenruhe im Iran weiter? – POLITICO

Geht die Energiekrise trotz Waffenruhe im Iran weiter? – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Die Waffenruhe im Iran bringt vorerst keine Entspannung an der Zapfsäule. Die Internationale Energieagentur warnt vor einer Krise, die Jahre andauern könnte. Während die Logistikkosten durch drohende iranische Zölle in der Straße von Hormuz massiv steigen könnten, wächst der Druck auf die Bundesregierung. In dieser Folge vertiefen Joana Lehner und Jürgen Klöckner die wirtschaftlichen und energiepolitischen Folgen der Krise. Finanzminister Lars Klingbeil hat zum Krisengipfel geladen, aber die Erwartungen sind gespalten. Im Policy Talk fordert Jürgen Kerner, Vize-Chef der IG Metall, ein Ende der „verkopften Bürokratie“ und warnt: Ohne einen wettbewerbsfähigen Industriestrompreis verliert Deutschland den Anschluss an China. Jürgen Kerner erklärt außerdem, warum Streiks trotz Krise ein legitimes Mittel bleiben und warum Lohnzurückhaltung allein keine Arbeitsplätze rettet. „Power & Policy“ zeigt jede Woche, wo und wie die Entscheidungen in der Wirtschaftspolitik fallen. ⁠Jürgen Klöckner⁠ und ⁠Joana Lehner⁠ von POLITICO sprechen mit Top-Entscheidern und liefern Off-the-Record-Einblicke aus der Redaktion und Machtzentren. Präzise Analysen, lange bevor Gesetze beschlossen sind. Der Podcast für alle in Wirtschaft und Politik, die einen Wissensvorsprung brauchen — immer donnerstags. Für Policy-Profis: Abonnieren …

Trump’s Iran ceasefire doesn’t mean Europe’s economy is out of the danger zone – POLITICO

Trump’s Iran ceasefire doesn’t mean Europe’s economy is out of the danger zone – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

But the damage done to the world’s supply chains, especially for energy, will simply not be undone overnight, even if — and it’s a big ‘if’ — the ceasefire holds, analysts say. “A temporary pause is just that — and both sides of the conflict have established a renewed reputation for unpredictability,” said Simon French, chief economist with London investment bank PanmureLiberum, via X. Moreover, said Peel Hunt chief economist Kallum Pickering, “Even if this truce marks the genuine end of fighting, some economic damage is already baked in.” He warned that whatever happens from here on, inflation will be higher and growth will be slower in the second half of this year, relative to what was expected in February, before the war started. While the two sides have agreed to start peace talks in Pakistan on Friday, both still seem far apart on key issues, notably the terms on which oil, gas and chemicals can pass in and out of the Persian Gulf, the most important shipping lane for world energy supply. The two …

Trump und Iran einigen sich auf Waffenruhe – POLITICO

Trump und Iran einigen sich auf Waffenruhe – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Donald Trump macht einen Rückzieher. Ganz knapp vor Ablauf seines Ultimatums verkündete der US-Präsident eine zweiwöchige Waffenruhe mit dem Iran. Unter pakistanischer Vermittlung sollen ab Freitag Verhandlungen in Islamabad starten. Grundlage ist ein iranischer Zehn-Punkte-Plan, der Teheran schmerzhafte Zugeständnisse der USA abverlangt. Inklusive der weiteren Kontrolle über die Straße von Hormuz. Zusammen mit Jonathan Martin in Washington analysiert Rixa Fürsen, ob Trump hier wirklich den Sieg eingefahren hat, den er reklamiert, oder ob er schlicht vor den wirtschaftlichen Folgen seines Kriegs eingeknickt ist. Die Kraftstoffpreise in Deutschland steigen kontinuierlich. Eine Woche nach Einführung der „12-Uhr-Regel“ steht fest: Die Wirkung ist gleich null – Diesel und Benzin sind teurer als je zuvor. Während Finanzminister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) nun offen nach einer Spritpreis-Obergrenze nach dem Vorbild von Polen oder Luxemburg ruft, bremst die unionsgeführte Wirtschaftsseite. Unsere Energieexpertin Joana Lehner analysiert, warum andere EU-Länder die Situation besser im Griff haben, welche Haushaltsrisiken hinter individuellen Zuschüssen stecken und warum ein „Margendeckel“ für Raffinerien die nächste Maßnahme sein könnte. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview spricht der schleswig-holsteinische Wirtschafts- und Verkehrsminister Claus Ruhe Madsen. …

Why EU foreign policy keeps getting stuck – POLITICO

Why EU foreign policy keeps getting stuck – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

EU foreign policy runs on unanimity — and it’s starting to break down. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart unpack growing frustration with how the EU makes foreign policy, as divisions over Ukraine funding, Russia sanctions and the war in Iran expose the pitfalls of the veto. With calls — led by Germany and Sweden — mounting to scrap unanimity in foreign and security policy, the question is becoming harder to avoid: Can the EU still act together when it matters most? They also discuss the fallout from the war in Iran, which is already landing in Europe. Energy prices are rising, jet fuel shortages are starting to bite, and countries like Italy are moving independently to secure supplies — raising fresh questions about coordination inside the EU. And finally, Brussels faces a different kind of dilemma: What to do about fur. As the Commission prepares to respond to a citizens’ petition signed by more than 1.5 million people calling for an EU-wide ban, it looks set to stop short — despite a shrinking industry, mounting …

EU warns Trump against ‘illegal’ bombing of Iran’s power stations – POLITICO

EU warns Trump against ‘illegal’ bombing of Iran’s power stations – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The intervention comes after Trump posted a fiery message on his Truth Social platform on Sunday: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!” “Praise be to Allah,” the president added. Experts and lawyers have warned that international law prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure. Asked about the threats on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the U.S. “will always act within the confines of the law.” Costa, who, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, leads the EU and represents it on the world stage, spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as the leaders of Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan in recent days. “The purpose of the phone calls was to advance the EU’s call for de-escalation and maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and full respect of international law, as well as to …

4 Italian airports face jet fuel restrictions – POLITICO

4 Italian airports face jet fuel restrictions – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Four Italian airports are being warned that they may face jet fuel restrictions amid limited supplies from a key provider. An aviation notice issued Saturday said that “due to limited fuel availability from Air BP Italia, refueling services for operators contractually linked to Air BP Italia may be subject to restrictions.” The affected airports are Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice. Italian news agency ANSA reported that Air BP Italia — a subsidiary of British oil giant BP — told airlines that priority would be given to ambulance and state flights, as well as flights lasting more than three hours. Other flights may face restrictions until at least April 9. Source link

5 countries ask Brussels to tax energy companies benefitting from Iran crisis – POLITICO

5 countries ask Brussels to tax energy companies benefitting from Iran crisis – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

In the letter, the ministers argued Brussels should do as it did following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when it authorized the imposition of a temporary “solidarity contribution” on energy companies to “mitigate the direct economic effects of the soaring energy prices for public authorities’ budgets, final customers and companies.” The 2022 measure imposed a minimum tax of 33 percent on all oil and gas company profits that exceeded the average recorded during the previous four years by more than 20 percent. In addition to proposing a similar framework, the ministers requested the Commission determine if it can also tax profits that multinational oil companies earn abroad. Oil and gas companies are making huge profits off the supply crisis provoked by the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20 percent of the oil and natural gas that powers the global economy runs. French oil giant TotalEnergies is reported to have made $1 billion in profits after acquiring dozens of Middle Eastern crude cargoes during the first …

Garden centres hit by Reeves’s ‘financial vandalism’

Garden centres hit by Reeves’s ‘financial vandalism’

Published by Sam Flores

Garden centres are under threat because of Rachel Reeves’s “financial vandalism”, it has been claimed. More than two-thirds of horticultural businesses have been forced to put up their prices, and most have stopped hiring new staff as they are “squeezed on all sides” by the Chancellor, industry experts have said. The sector is facing further pressure as a result of Labour’s controversial business rates reforms, which are set to send bills soaring, as well as rising energy prices triggered by the American-Israeli war with Iran. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) – which represents 1,400 businesses including garden retailers, growers, manufacturers and landscapers – has warned that many traders will need to increase turnover by 10 to 15 per cent “just to stand still”. Fran Barnes, the chief executive of the HTA, said: “Garden centres are being squeezed from all sides. Many of our members are facing higher business rates this April because of the end of the 40 per cent retail, hospitality and leisure relief and the impact of revaluations, on top of rising wages, …