China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao urged the Netherlands to create a fair business environment for Chinese companies and resolve disputes involving relevant enterprises during a meeting with Dutch trade minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma. Both sides aim for a "clean break" from previous frictions, particularly concerning Nexperia.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon criticized Canadian PM Mark Carney's call for middle powers to form coalitions, calling it a "fantasy" and pointing to Europe's declining competitiveness due to high taxes and regulation. Dimon stressed the need for attractive business environments over geopolitical blocs.
Hong Kong leader invites Uzbek PM to speak at Belt and Road Summit, offers platform for Uzbek enterprises to expand
European firms in China report easing pessimism, citing Beijing's stability amid global volatility, with improved growth expectations despite ongoing challenges.
AstraZeneca will invest £300m in the UK, completing its Cambridge headquarters and building a digital research facility in Macclesfield. The announcement marks a U-turn after the pharma giant paused £650m in projects last year due to disillusionment with the NHS business environment. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the investment as a 'major vote of confidence' in the UK economy.
Associated British Foods is poised to announce plans for a demerger of its Primark fashion business this week, as the group faces mounting pressures across both its fashion and food divisions. The potential split follows a strategic review announced in November and comes amid disappointing trading, with flat annual sales and falling profits. The Middle East conflict is expected to add further cost pressures, while the company also grapples with a competition regulator investigation into its planned bakery merger with Hovis.
