US imports surpassed the country's exports by almost $600 billion (454 billion euros) last year amid signs of a recovery. But the widening trade gap with China is reason to worry.
Spain's center-right government hopes a string of new labor reforms will make it easier to get to grips with public deficits and cushion the impact of a looming recession. Creating new jobs remains a top priority.
Due to the harsh winter weather, energy costs rose sharply in Germany, causing inflation to edge up by 2.1 percent year-on-year in January. The rise is above inflation targets, but no reason to worry.
China has reported a drop in exports and imports for January. Analysts say the slowdown is also the result of the eurozone debt crisis, but warn that figures may be distorted for seasonal reasons.
Although the ECB is legally prohibited from becoming a lender of last resort, analysts and experts are concerned that the central bank is circumventing its own rules and buying bonds through the backdoor.
Although the German economy began to slow toward the end of 2011, exports still managed to reach the record-breaking trillion-euro mark. Imports also rose to all-time highs.
The Chinese government claims that newly introduced EU's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) contradicts UN's convention on climate change and international civil aviation regulations.
A free trade agreement between the EU and India could put food security at risk, NGOs warn.
After a decade of negotiations, the Doha trade talks have ground to a halt. So what happens now?
In times of economic hardship, some people have chosen to give up money altogether. But not having money doesn’t necessarily mean living poorly.
Many Greeks are angry with their politicians, accusing them of playing tactical games ahead of elections as debt talks continue. DW spoke to three Greeks worried about the future of their country.
The eurozone only wants to grant further financial aid to Greece, once Athens has agreed to a whole list of demands. The current Greek austerity cuts are not enough for the eurozone.
A new Greek austerity plan has been approved by all the parties in government. But the country's economic future remains uncertain because the political system has collapsed, says Spiros Moskovou from DW's Greek desk.
As EU leaders gathered for a key summit, Athens was still busy working out a deal for a major Greek debt writedown to escape looming default. After harsh austerity measures, structural reforms are next on the agenda.
Joblessness among European youth remains high and the trend towards internships isn't helping.
Almería in Spain is home to thousands of illegal immigrants living in slum-like conditions.
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