Berlin spends its day adapting to a Europe without US guarantees
Ifo's auto-sector confidence index fell 4.8 points to minus 23.8 with forward expectations almost halving to minus 30.7, while Donald Trump prepared to raise EU vehicle tariffs from 15 to 25 percent. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius committed €1.35 billion to a Bremerhaven port upgrade for military supply lines, and SPD's Siemtje Möller called for E3 talks to close the gap left by US troop withdrawal and a suspended Tomahawk deployment. Rheinmetall said it now produces 1.1 million artillery shells and 4 million medium-calibre rounds annually.
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German auto-sector confidence falls 4.8 points in May to −23.8 as Iran crisis and US tariffs hit outlook
Business confidence in Germany's auto sector fell 4.8 points to minus 23.8 in May, the Ifo Institute reported, with the forward expectations index nearly halving from minus 15.3 to minus 30.7. Companies reporting shortages of key intermediate products jumped to 9.3 percent in April from 1 percent in March, with helium imports from Qatar — used in chip production, airbags and battery testing — flagged as the central supply risk. The deterioration coincides with President Donald Trump's announcement that EU vehicle tariffs will rise from 15 to 25 percent this week.
Germany invests €1.35 billion in Bremerhaven port upgrade to bolster wartime supply lines
Germany is investing €1.35 billion ($1.6 billion) to upgrade the port in Bremerhaven as part of a broader effort to prepare supply lines for a potential large-scale conflict in Europe, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. The project aims to enable the transportation of heavy military equipment such as Leopard tanks to potential front lines. Pistorius described the shift as a “paradigm shift,” acknowledging that peace and stability can no longer be taken for granted.
SPD proposes European alternatives to US Tomahawk missiles after US withdrawal plans
Germany's SPD parliamentary group has called for deeper European defense cooperation after US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of over 5,000 troops from Germany and the suspension of a planned Tomahawk missile deployment. SPD deputy parliamentary leader Siemtje Möller said Germany should urgently consult with France and Britain in the E3 format to close the emerging defense gap. The Tomahawk deployment, agreed by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Joe Biden in 2024, was intended as a pillar of European deterrence.
Rheinmetall CEO claims Germany overtook US in ammunition output
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said Germany has surpassed the United States in conventional ammunition production capacity, citing a surge in output since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The company increased artillery shell production from 70,000 to 1.1 million rounds annually and medium-calibre ammunition from 800,000 to 4 million rounds per year. Papperger's claim about overtaking the US has not been independently verified.
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Every other event tracked in Germany, with a one-line preview.
de30EU's Industrial Accelerator Act faces fierce opposition from German exporters
The European Commission's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), a key part of the Clean Industrial Deal to counter Chinese dominance in clean technologies, is facing strong criticism from German export-oriented industries. At the Hannover Messe, BDI chief Peter Leibinger called the draft 'a bureaucratic monster' and 'very protectionist,' while French and some German firms support it. The act, which includes 'Made in EU' preferences for public procurement and limits on Chinese investments, has been delayed and revised amid internal EU disputes and concerns over WTO compliance.
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EU's Industrial Accelerator Act faces fierce opposition from German exporters
The European Commission's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), a key part of the Clean Industrial Deal to counter Chinese dominance in clean technologies, is facing strong criticism from German export-oriented industries. At the Hannover Messe, BDI chief Peter Leibinger called the draft 'a bureaucratic monster' and 'very protectionist,' while French and some German firms support it. The act, which includes 'Made in EU' preferences for public procurement and limits on Chinese investments, has been delayed and revised amid internal EU disputes and concerns over WTO compliance.
The European Commission's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), a key part of the Clean Industrial Deal to counter Chinese dominance in clean technologies, is facing strong criticism from German export-oriented industries. At the Hannover Messe, BDI chief Peter Leibinger called the draft 'a bureaucratic monster' and 'very protectionist,' while French and some German firms support it. The act, which includes 'Made in EU' preferences for public procurement and limits on Chinese investments, has been delayed and revised amid internal EU disputes and concerns over WTO compliance.
de28European countries sign joint drone production deals with Ukraine
Ukraine has leveraged its drone warfare expertise to secure diplomatic and defense deals with Middle Eastern and European countries, while facing export control challenges. European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, emphasize that Europe needs Ukraine's military capabilities more than Ukraine needs Europe. With the largest and most modern army in Europe and expertise in drone warfare, Ukraine is deepening defense cooperation with European countries, integrating its defense industry, and exploring new security frameworks amid reduced US commitment to NATO. Poland announced that Ukraine will help build its new drone fleet, though the fleet size was not specified. German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems established two new joint ventures with Ukrainian companies WIY Drones and Tencore in April 2026, following a December 2025 deal with Frontline Robotics. Ukrainian company Ukrspecsystems opened a drone factory in the UK in February 2026, creating around 500 jobs. Fire Point, a Ukrainian manufacturer, signed an agreement in September 2025 to produce rocket fuel in Denmark under a Danish scheme, with construction starting in December 2025. The article notes that Ukraine's fast-paced wartime innovation may not always align with European security standards, potentially complicating deeper industrial integration.
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European countries sign joint drone production deals with Ukraine
Ukraine has leveraged its drone warfare expertise to secure diplomatic and defense deals with Middle Eastern and European countries, while facing export control challenges. European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, emphasize that Europe needs Ukraine's military capabilities more than Ukraine needs Europe. With the largest and most modern army in Europe and expertise in drone warfare, Ukraine is deepening defense cooperation with European countries, integrating its defense industry, and exploring new security frameworks amid reduced US commitment to NATO. Poland announced that Ukraine will help build its new drone fleet, though the fleet size was not specified. German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems established two new joint ventures with Ukrainian companies WIY Drones and Tencore in April 2026, following a December 2025 deal with Frontline Robotics. Ukrainian company Ukrspecsystems opened a drone factory in the UK in February 2026, creating around 500 jobs. Fire Point, a Ukrainian manufacturer, signed an agreement in September 2025 to produce rocket fuel in Denmark under a Danish scheme, with construction starting in December 2025. The article notes that Ukraine's fast-paced wartime innovation may not always align with European security standards, potentially complicating deeper industrial integration.
Ukraine has leveraged its drone warfare expertise to secure diplomatic and defense deals with Middle Eastern and European countries, while facing export control challenges. European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, emphasize that Europe needs Ukraine's military capabilities more than Ukraine needs Europe. With the largest and most modern army in Europe and expertise in drone warfare, Ukraine is deepening defense cooperation with European countries, integrating its defense industry, and exploring new security frameworks amid reduced US commitment to NATO. Poland announced that Ukraine will help build its new drone fleet, though the fleet size was not specified. German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems established two new joint ventures with Ukrainian companies WIY Drones and Tencore in April 2026, following a December 2025 deal with Frontline Robotics. Ukrainian company Ukrspecsystems opened a drone factory in the UK in February 2026, creating around 500 jobs. Fire Point, a Ukrainian manufacturer, signed an agreement in September 2025 to produce rocket fuel in Denmark under a Danish scheme, with construction starting in December 2025. The article notes that Ukraine's fast-paced wartime innovation may not always align with European security standards, potentially complicating deeper industrial integration.
de15SPD, Greens, and Left Party jointly announce withdrawal from X
Germany's SPD, Greens, and Left Party have coordinated to stop using the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing chaos and disinformation. The move affects official party accounts and those of leading politicians. The parties recommend their members also leave X and suggest Bluesky as an alternative. The decision reflects ongoing concerns about Elon Musk's management and his support for right-wing movements.
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SPD, Greens, and Left Party jointly announce withdrawal from X
Germany's SPD, Greens, and Left Party have coordinated to stop using the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing chaos and disinformation. The move affects official party accounts and those of leading politicians. The parties recommend their members also leave X and suggest Bluesky as an alternative. The decision reflects ongoing concerns about Elon Musk's management and his support for right-wing movements.
Germany's SPD, Greens, and Left Party have coordinated to stop using the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing chaos and disinformation. The move affects official party accounts and those of leading politicians. The parties recommend their members also leave X and suggest Bluesky as an alternative. The decision reflects ongoing concerns about Elon Musk's management and his support for right-wing movements.
de13Dutch startup Intelic launches European military drone marketplace BASE
Dutch defense-tech startup Intelic has launched BASE, a European military drone marketplace aggregating manufacturers from nine countries to accelerate procurement for defense ministries. The platform uses Intelic's Nexus command-and-control software to ensure interoperability among drones from different vendors. Inspired by Ukraine's Brave1 platform, BASE allows buyers to compare mission-ready systems. Intelic is finalizing an agreement with the Royal Netherlands Army and is in talks with other European defense ministries. The marketplace currently focuses on UAVs with plans to expand to other unmanned systems, addressing fragmentation in European drone procurement.
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Dutch startup Intelic launches European military drone marketplace BASE
Dutch defense-tech startup Intelic has launched BASE, a European military drone marketplace aggregating manufacturers from nine countries to accelerate procurement for defense ministries. The platform uses Intelic's Nexus command-and-control software to ensure interoperability among drones from different vendors. Inspired by Ukraine's Brave1 platform, BASE allows buyers to compare mission-ready systems. Intelic is finalizing an agreement with the Royal Netherlands Army and is in talks with other European defense ministries. The marketplace currently focuses on UAVs with plans to expand to other unmanned systems, addressing fragmentation in European drone procurement.
Dutch defense-tech startup Intelic has launched BASE, a European military drone marketplace aggregating manufacturers from nine countries to accelerate procurement for defense ministries. The platform uses Intelic's Nexus command-and-control software to ensure interoperability among drones from different vendors. Inspired by Ukraine's Brave1 platform, BASE allows buyers to compare mission-ready systems. Intelic is finalizing an agreement with the Royal Netherlands Army and is in talks with other European defense ministries. The marketplace currently focuses on UAVs with plans to expand to other unmanned systems, addressing fragmentation in European drone procurement.