Against the backdrop of continued geopolitical uncertainty and instability, the European Commission has outlined a set of ambitious horizontal priorities aimed at enhancing the EU’s economic resilience and competitiveness. From the evolving European economic outlook to the ongoing work on the Savings and Investment and Banking Unions, the new institutional cycle is expected to tackle several critical, long-standing and politically thorny economic and financial issues. This includes a central focus on regulatory simplification, reinforcement of the Single Market, ramping up defence expenditure, as well as managing the multitude of pressures and demands on the EU budget at a time of serious fiscal constraints for a majority of EU Member States.

This podcast features a conversation between David Wright, Senior Adviser to Flint and Chair of Eurofi, and former Deputy Director General for Financial Services at the European Commission, in conversation with Michael Hager, Head of Cabinet for Commissioner Dombrovskis, who is in charge of Economy and Productivity, Implementation, and Simplification.

On 6 May, Friedrich Merz was formally elected Chancellor by the German Bundestag. Merz and his government will take office at a critical moment for Germany and for Europe.

Our experts consider the implications for business of the choices confronting Friedrich Merz’s first cabinet. The challenges that Merz and his top team face are marked by economic difficulties, geopolitical uncertainties, declining competitiveness, and an urgent need for investment to drive growth.

Rebuilding Germany’s leadership in Europe, notably by improving ties with France and with the UK, will also be a key objective of the new government to respond collectively to the Trump challenge as well as the Russia threat.

In this podcast, Flint Director Anna Abela hosts a discussion on the new German government with:

• Andreas Krautscheid, Senior Adviser, a former CDU Member of the Bundestag and Minister of State in North-Rhine Westphalia, and CEO of the German Banking Association.
• Markus Becker-Melching, Senior Adviser, former COO of the German Banking Association and member of the Executive Committee of the European Banking Federation.
• François-Joseph Schichan, Director, former French diplomat including former head of Political Department at the French Embassy in London.

On Wednesday, 2 April, President Trump announced a baseline tariff of 10% on all US imports with specific tariffs for individual markets. Some of the highest rates were imposed on Asian jurisdictions. Countries across APAC have responded in a variety of ways: China has imposed retaliatory tariffs, Vietnam has offered to remove all tariffs, and a number of others, such as Japan, India and South Korea, are looking to start discussions with the US.

This podcast discusses the latest tariff developments, the response from Asian jurisdictions, the implications for businesses and what comes next.

Flint Partner Katie Whitting hosts the discussion with:

• Flint Partner and Head of Flint’s Trade and Market Access Practice, Sam Lowe
• Flint Senior Adviser and former Executive Director of the Singapore-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), James Crabtree
• Guest Speaker and former Economic Director at the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office, Shahril Hamdan