http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 09:14:43 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 09:14:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/commerzbank-survey-german-companies-pessimistic-about-euro-zone-a-895150.html#ref=rss A new survey of small and medium-sized companies in Germany finds that they are losing interest in the euro zone. Instead, they are placing their bets on countries even further afield, especially fast-growing emerging economies. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/commerzbank-survey-german-companies-pessimistic-about-euro-zone-a-895150.html A new survey of small and medium-sized companies in Germany finds that they are losing interest in the euro zone. Instead, they are placing their bets on countries even further afield, especially fast-growing emerging economies.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-report-crisis-hit-countries-have-become-more-competitive-a-852813.html#ref=rss The euro zone's crisis-hit countries are becoming more competitive, according to a new German study. Wage costs are down, and the countries are reducing their trade imbalances. Painful reforms appear to be slowly bearing fruit, and the euro zone might even return to growth next year. Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:49:55 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-report-crisis-hit-countries-have-become-more-competitive-a-852813.html The euro zone's crisis-hit countries are becoming more competitive, according to a new German study. Wage costs are down, and the countries are reducing their trade imbalances. Painful reforms appear to be slowly bearing fruit, and the euro zone might even return to growth next year.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kabinett-erleichtert-export-von-dual-use-guetern-a-850201.html#ref=rss Ein neues Gesetz soll deutsche Firmen im europäischen Wettbewerb stärken und das 50 Jahre alte Exportrecht vereinfachen. Die Modernisierung wurde vom Kabinett beschlossen. Die Ausfuhr von Kriegswaffen wird dagegen nicht erleichtert. Die Grünen kritisierten den Entwurf dennoch. Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:06:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kabinett-erleichtert-export-von-dual-use-guetern-a-850201.html Ein neues Gesetz soll deutsche Firmen im europäischen Wettbewerb stärken und das 50 Jahre alte Exportrecht vereinfachen. Die Modernisierung wurde vom Kabinett beschlossen. Die Ausfuhr von Kriegswaffen wird dagegen nicht erleichtert. Die Grünen kritisierten den Entwurf dennoch.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-s-risky-weapons-sales-signal-change-in-german-foreign-policy-a-847137.html#ref=rss Drawing lessons from Afghanistan and Libya, German Chancellor Merkel has been making quiet changes to Berlin's arms exports policy. Instead of intervening in conflicts, she wants to help arm certain countries to provide stability in crisis regions. But if history is any guide, the plan could backfire. Mon, 30 Jul 2012 12:23:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-s-risky-weapons-sales-signal-change-in-german-foreign-policy-a-847137.html Drawing lessons from Afghanistan and Libya, German Chancellor Merkel has been making quiet changes to Berlin's arms exports policy. Instead of intervening in conflicts, she wants to help arm certain countries to provide stability in crisis regions. But if history is any guide, the plan could backfire.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/growing-resistance-to-german-arms-exports-to-india-a-844934.html#ref=rss India is among the world's biggest buyers of weapons -- and the German defense industry wants in on the bonanza. Parliamentarians in Berlin, though, believe that companies are skirting export restrictions to do so -- and that Chancellor Merkel's government is simply looking the other way. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:00:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/growing-resistance-to-german-arms-exports-to-india-a-844934.html India is among the world's biggest buyers of weapons -- and the German defense industry wants in on the bonanza. Parliamentarians in Berlin, though, believe that companies are skirting export restrictions to do so -- and that Chancellor Merkel's government is simply looking the other way.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/global-crisis-hits-german-industry-a-840230.html#ref=rss German companies believe the euro crisis has damaged their prospects for growth in 2012, according to new figures released on Thursday. Manufacturing activity hit a three-year low and export orders have also seen a sharp drop. The data suggest the crisis is starting to hit the previously robust German economy. Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:46:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/global-crisis-hits-german-industry-a-840230.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-exports-fall-in-april-2012-a-837694.html#ref=rss The German economy has seemed surprisingly resistant to the ill effects of Europe's financial crisis. But an April drop in exports suggests that Europe's largest economy may not be immune after all. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-exports-fall-in-april-2012-a-837694.html The German economy has seemed surprisingly resistant to the ill effects of Europe's financial crisis. But an April drop in exports suggests that Europe's largest economy may not be immune after all. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/oecd-criticizes-lack-of-progress-in-germany-a-823710.html#ref=rss Germany may like to present itself internationally as a model of modern economic policy, but in reality much-needed domestic reforms have been stalled for years. The OECD has warned that German prosperity may be at risk if Berlin doesn't take action. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/oecd-criticizes-lack-of-progress-in-germany-a-823710.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-makes-controversial-weapons-sales-to-saudi-arabia-a-822288.html#ref=rss European nations appear to be disregarding EU weapons export regulations by selling military equipment and technology licenses to Saudi Arabia, according to information obtained by SPIEGEL. Taken together, the controversial deals make the EU the world's biggest exporter of weapons to the country. Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:07:40 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-makes-controversial-weapons-sales-to-saudi-arabia-a-822288.html European nations appear to be disregarding EU weapons export regulations by selling military equipment and technology licenses to Saudi Arabia, according to information obtained by SPIEGEL. Taken together, the controversial deals make the EU the world's biggest exporter of weapons to the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/obeying-eu-rules-german-budget-deficit-plunges-to-1-percent-of-gdp-a-817363.html#ref=rss After violating European Union deficit rules in recent years, Germany's budget shortfall in 2011 plunged to just 1 percent of gross domestic product, well below the 3 percent limit. The economic outlook for 2012 may be improving as well. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:02:08 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/obeying-eu-rules-german-budget-deficit-plunges-to-1-percent-of-gdp-a-817363.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/unpopular-eu-proposal-made-in-germany-label-at-risk-a-809300.html#ref=rss The European Union wants to tighten controls on the rules that determine which products can carry the "Made in Germany" label. Germany's leading industry group is outraged, warning the move could hinder the success of the world's second-largest exporter. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:12:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/unpopular-eu-proposal-made-in-germany-label-at-risk-a-809300.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/confounding-the-crisis-german-exports-soar-above-one-trillion-euros-a-800681.html#ref=rss The menacing currency crisis is dominating discussion in the European Union -- but the German economy continues to be spared. This year companies there will manage to exceed exports of more than a trillion euros, a figure not even reached during the boom year of 2008. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:37:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/confounding-the-crisis-german-exports-soar-above-one-trillion-euros-a-800681.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/u-turn-on-u-boats-thyssen-plans-withdrawal-from-submarine-joint-venture-a-796474.html#ref=rss German group ThyssenKrupp wants to pull out of a London-based joint venture with industrial services company Ferrostaal that sells submarines, SPIEGEL has learned. Insiders say the move was prompted by corruption allegations. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:10:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/u-turn-on-u-boats-thyssen-plans-withdrawal-from-submarine-joint-venture-a-796474.html German group ThyssenKrupp wants to pull out of a London-based joint venture with industrial services company Ferrostaal that sells submarines, SPIEGEL has learned. Insiders say the move was prompted by corruption allegations.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/management-disaster-a-german-ghost-town-in-the-heart-of-china-a-791392.html#ref=rss Half-timbered buildings and medieval romance -- that's what the Chinese wanted. But the architecture firm Speer thought it knew better, and built a modern German residential quarter on the outskirts of Shanghai. Now that it is complete, though, nobody wants to live there. Even Oktoberfest was cancelled.  Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:55:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/management-disaster-a-german-ghost-town-in-the-heart-of-china-a-791392.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-police-working-for-eads-berlin-opposition-livid-about-saudi-border-deal-a-774424.html#ref=rss The opposition in Berlin was already outraged about a plan to sell 200 tanks to Saudi Arabia. Now, however, a new deal involving the training of Saudi border patrol officers is raising additional questions. And some say the German constitution may have been violated. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:44:33 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-police-working-for-eads-berlin-opposition-livid-about-saudi-border-deal-a-774424.html The opposition in Berlin was already outraged about a plan to sell 200 tanks to Saudi Arabia. Now, however, a new deal involving the training of Saudi border patrol officers is raising additional questions. And some say the German constitution may have been violated.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-new-arms-race-exports-booming-for-german-weapons-manufacturers-a-773626.html#ref=rss A decrease in orders from its own military has led Germany's arms industry to turn the focus of its sales efforts abroad. It has recently enjoyed amazing successes despite seemingly strict export controls. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:23:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-new-arms-race-exports-booming-for-german-weapons-manufacturers-a-773626.html A decrease in orders from its own military has led Germany's arms industry to turn the focus of its sales efforts abroad. It has recently enjoyed amazing successes despite seemingly strict export controls.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/growth-in-arms-exports-germany-wants-to-supply-battle-tanks-to-saudi-arabia-a-772177.html#ref=rss Right in the middle of the Arab Spring, Germany plans to supply high-tech weapons to an undemocratic regime in the region. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, Saudi Arabia is interested in buying up to 200 "Leopard" battle tanks. A sale would end Germany's traditional restraint on arms sales to the country. Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/growth-in-arms-exports-germany-wants-to-supply-battle-tanks-to-saudi-arabia-a-772177.html Right in the middle of the Arab Spring, Germany plans to supply high-tech weapons to an undemocratic regime in the region. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, Saudi Arabia is interested in buying up to 200 "Leopard" battle tanks. A sale would end Germany's traditional restraint on arms sales to the country. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-berlin-is-playing-into-the-hands-of-the-chinese-a-771338.html#ref=rss Trade was the focus of the meeting of German and Chinese leaders in Berlin this week, with German companies eager to get a piece of the massive Chinese market. But commentators warn of the dangers of becoming too dependent on the emerging Asian superpower. Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:05:58 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-berlin-is-playing-into-the-hands-of-the-chinese-a-771338.html Trade was the focus of the meeting of German and Chinese leaders in Berlin this week, with German companies eager to get a piece of the massive Chinese market. But commentators warn of the dangers of becoming too dependent on the emerging Asian superpower.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/transrapid-revival-on-the-canary-islands-berlin-pushes-industry-on-high-speed-maglev-rail-a-758348.html#ref=rss Is the magnetic levitation Transrapid train making a comeback on the Canary Islands? German Transportation Minister Peter Ramsauer is enthusiastic about the high-speed monorail, but German manufacturers Siemens and ThyssenKrupp are showing little interest in such projects. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:52:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/transrapid-revival-on-the-canary-islands-berlin-pushes-industry-on-high-speed-maglev-rail-a-758348.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-german-self-righteousness-on-trade-has-been-shot-down-a-757716.html#ref=rss The G-20 has come up with a plan to monitor global imbalances and recommend corrective measures, which is aimed at countries with huge trade surpluses such as China and Germany. But German commentators warn that it has no teeth. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:10:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-german-self-righteousness-on-trade-has-been-shot-down-a-757716.html The G-20 has come up with a plan to monitor global imbalances and recommend corrective measures, which is aimed at countries with huge trade surpluses such as China and Germany. But German commentators warn that it has no teeth.]]>