The Paris Motor Show, the discussions between France and Germany on the relaxation of European rules on engines and negotiations in Brussels with China on the restriction of its exports place this essential sector of industry at the centre of the news. They illustrate the extent of the crisis that is hitting it, even though it was for a long time one of the strong points of the European economy, both in terms of jobs and exports.

Since the beginning of the year, the fall in manufacturers' share prices has been spectacular: Stellantis (-56%), Renault (-17%) but its share price ...

Continue reading

On the eve of the presentation to the Council of Ministers of the government's draft budget for 2027, which will give rise to intense debates in Parliament, INSEE has published the figures relating to France's public debt in the 2nd half of the year, i.e. 3,595 billion euros and 119% of GDP, The net debt is slightly lower (3,366 billion) but up over one year by 191 billion.

On the same day, the interest rate on 10-year government bonds reached 4.75% compared to 3.55% at the beginning of the year. This was the ...

Continue reading

The frequently critical comments about the slowdown in the growth of the Chinese economy do not help to understand the action of its leaders and the direction in which the country is heading. A range of between 4.5 and 5% had been chosen for GDP growth in 2026. The figures for the 1st half of the year placed it at the bottom of this range and the latest forecasts for the 3rd quarter estimate it to be even lower. While business and public sector investment remains dynamic, household consumption is growing little and the main driver of the Chinese ...

Continue reading