Call for offers: Media literacy experts in Tunisia
DW Akademie is seeking MIL experts to support and strengthen youth-led civil society organizations in Tunisia.
The EU-funded project "MIL4Peace" aims to promote stability and peace by enhancing the capacity of civil society in Lebanon, Libya, and Tunisia to engage youth in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The project focuses on empowering youth-led organizations with tools and methods in Media and Information Literacy (MIL) to foster inclusive youth participation, particularly in the digital space.
As part of this initiative, DW Akademie is seeking MIL experts (f/m/d) to support and strengthen youth-led civil society organizations in these efforts in Tunisia.
Download the complete call below.
Apply by June 20, 2025!
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DW
14 hours ago
- DW
China, UK trade deals with Trump pile pressure on EU – DW – 06/12/2025
Following Britain, China has struck a trade deal with the US, President Donald Trump has announced. Meanwhile, the EU is still pondering its way out of tariff hell, and US officials make clear it is back of the line. After London comes Beijing: US President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough in talks with China to put an end to their rapidly escalating tariff war on Wednesday night, though the details of the agreement remain unclear, and key elements are still awaiting formal approval. "Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi [Jinping] and me," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. "Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China. Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities (which has always been good with me!)" One day later, the scope of the deal remains uncertain. Neither Trump nor US officials had clarified which tariffs might be lifted or what concessions were included, according to the Associated Press news agency. Negotiations appear to be ongoing. 'Liberation Day' wounds healing Two months ago, Trump announced a blanket baseline 10% tariffs on virtually all goods imported into the US, an event he dubbed "Liberation Day." Higher country-specific rates followed, with Chinese imports hit particularly hard. Beijing immediately retaliated, with sharp increases of its own, sending bilateral tariffs soaring — peaking at 145% in some cases — on a trade relationship worth $583 billion (approximately €503.5 billion) in 2024. Trump's tariff spree is all part of a grand plan to put 'America First,' particularly in the production of goods Image:/AFP While recent negotiations have helped bring mutual tariffs down, tensions remain. As of mid-May, US tariffs on Chinese goods averaged 51%, while Chinese tariffs on US goods stood at 33%, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a US think tank. The UK and the US struck a much-vaunted deal one month ago. However, tariffs on key goods remain in place, pending further implementation. Europe treads cautiously Compared to China, the EU has so far opted for a rather restrained approach, with high-level officials engaged in intensive talks. As of April, most EU exports to the US have faced 10% tariffs. Additional 25% duties on steel and aluminum, imposed in March, remain in effect. The bloc has so far avoided the higher rates slapped on China. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was proud of his US deal. Will von der Leyen be able to get one over the line? Image: Carl Court/AFP The EU was poised to hit back with significant countermeasures on everything from whiskey to motorcycles prepared a second package, though both have been paused as EU-US negotiations continue. Brussels is pushing for a "zero-for-zero" trade agreement, aiming to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods. So far, talks have stalled. One of Trump's key complaints is the persistent trade imbalance. In 2024, the US imported significantly more goods from the EU than it exported, with a trade deficit of $216 billion, according to official US figures. However, the EU frequently argues that the US sells far more services to the bloc than the other way round. One option the European Commission, which as the EU executive branch represents the 27 member states in negotiations, has proposed is pushing EU companies and countries to buy more natural gas from the US, a shift that is already well under way since it turned away from Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. EU's nuclear option If all else fails for the EU and Trump resorts to 50% tariffs or even higher rates, there has been some discussion of another more radical move from the EU. "Should Europe retaliate if Trump's tariffs hit on 9 July, and how? If yes, then there seems to be general agreement that, beyond tariffs on goods, US digital services are the most likely and vulnerable target," Tobias Gehrke of the European Council on Foreign Relations posted late last month on social media platform Bluesky. Gehrke pointed to the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument, a legal framework which empowers the EU to target services and could limit US companies' access to public procurement contracts in Europe. It came into effect in 2023, but has never been used, Time is of the essence With talks ongoing, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has indicated that the bloc is at the back of the line. "I'm optimistic that we can get there with Europe," Lutnick told US broadcaster CNBC on Wednesday. "But Europe will probably be at the very, very end." On Thursday, US outlet Bloomberg reported that EU officials expect talks to extend beyond the current July 9 deadline, citing unnamed sources close to the negotiations. Italy's pecorino cheesemakers feel effects of Trump tariffs To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video For negotiators, the pressure to wrap up a deal is enormous. "We'll get this deal done in the best way possible," an EU official told DW on the condition of anonymity. "But it's very clear that not only in the EU institutions, but also around the member states, people just don't want to go through this anymore." "In the volatile world we're in, everyone wants to have reliable trading partners, and the US just isn't that right now," the source added. In the coming days, the G7 and NATO summits in Canada and the Netherlands respectively, might have presented an opportunity for Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to meet. However, the European Commission said on Thursday that no bilateral meetings were currently planned. "That could still change," Commission spokesperson Miriam Garcia Ferrer told reporters at a briefing in Brussels.
DW
20 hours ago
- DW
Europe's EV sales rebound, but consumer doubts remain – DW – 06/11/2025
After a slowdown last year, electric vehicle sales in Europe are powering ahead. But adoption is uneven, and lingering consumer doubts over batteries and costs threaten to slow the charge. Europe's electric vehicle (EV) market is thriving in 2025, marking a robust recovery. From January to April, over 2.2 million electrified vehicles were registered across the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. This figure, encompassing battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), reflects a 20% surge compared to the same period in 2024. BEV registrations alone soared by 26%, signaling strong momentum in the shift to zero-emission driving. The United Kingdom mirrored this trend, with BEV, HEV and PHEV registrations climbing 22.8% to 486,561 units from January to April. Pure electric models led the charge, with sales surging by over a third. Respite for troubled auto sector This rebound offers relief to Europe's automotive industry, which is grappling with rising production costs, fierce competition from Chinese EV manufacturers and stringent EU carbon emissions regulations. The sector now faces new challenges, including potential tariffs on cars exported to the United States, as threatened by US President Donald Trump. In 2024, EV registrations plummeted across Europe, particularly in major markets like Germany and France, though hybrids bucked the trend with nearly 30% year-on-year growth. The downturn stemmed from multiple factors. Germany, Europe's largest car market, abruptly ended EV subsidies in 2023 due to budget constraints, betting that declining vehicle prices would sustain demand. However, the loss of incentives — ranging from €3,375 ($3,854) to €9,000 based on vehicle cost — deterred price-sensitive consumers, leading to a 27.4% drop in BEV registrations. France faced a broader auto market downturn, driven by economic uncertainty and stricter EV subsidy eligibility rules. This impacted EV sales and led to sharp declines in petrol and diesel vehicle deliveries, compounding the industry's problems. Fleet sales help drive growth The recovery was anticipated to come from growing consumer enthusiasm for EVs, fueled by advances in battery range and expanded charging infrastructure. While these factors contributed, auto analysts attribute the primary driver to a January 1 EU mandate requiring automakers to cut fleet-wide CO2 emissions by 15% from 2021 levels. This regulation spurred a surge in corporate sales, particularly in Germany, allowing carmakers to avoid hefty EU fines. "To avoid fines for excessive emissions [on sales of petrol and diesel models], vehicle manufacturers were told to increase sales of EVs, through price discounts or more cost-effective models," Sandra Wappelhorst, research lead at the Berlin-based International Council on Clean Transportation Europe, told DW. In recent months, German automakers like Volkswagen as well as Stellantis have rolled out attractive leasing deals and launched new EV models, incentivizing companies to accelerate fleet electrification. Corporate buyers, who account for roughly two-thirds of car sales in Germany compared to just 20% in France, have been a key force behind the rebound. Constantin Gall, an analyst at the consulting firm EY, highlighted that the price gap between internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs has "significantly narrowed." He added that automakers are "offering highly competitive financing and leasing terms for electric vehicles," further boosting corporate adoption across Europe. Hybrid vehicles, like these from manufacturer BMW, are favored as a practical alternative due to lower charging concerns Image:Automakers push for flexibility over emissions With automakers having to bear the cost of not meeting the emissions targets, they lobbied hard in Brussels to have them cut. Last month, the European Council, the EU's political authority, approved the easing of the annual targets for the next three years, to reduce potential fines. Wappelhorst is disappointed at the rollback, arguing that regulatory pressure has proven effective in helping EV adoption. She noted that the current rebound in EV registrations mirrors a similar emissions deadline during the COVID-19 pandemic that also boosted sales. She cautioned that the three-year relief now "risks slowing the EV transition just as momentum builds." The EV transition remains patchy across Europe, with Norway and Denmark leading the way and other Western European countries close behind. Registrations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland and Slovakia, however, remain below 5%. "Even in these lower-share countries, new BEV registrations have increased significantly," Wappelhorst said, noting how Poland recently saw an over 40% growth rate. "This pattern underscores the positive momentum across European markets, including those where the transition is in its early stages." Consumers remain skeptical about EVs Public enthusiasm for EVs, meanwhile, isn't growing as fast as policymakers would like. An AlixPartners survey last year found interest in electric vehicles stagnant at 43% compared to 2021, with hybrids favored as a practical alternative due to lower charging concerns. Similarly, a Bloomberg Intelligence survey conducted last month revealed that only 16% of European car buyers preferred BEVs, while 49% supported hybrids. Charging infrastructure also remains a critical barrier. Although Europe surpassed 1 million public charging points in 2025, GridX energy research projects a need for 8.8 million by 2030. To meet this target, installations must accelerate to nearly 5,000 new chargers per week, GridX said. Germany ramps up EV recycling To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Can Tesla stage a turnaround? For the rest of 2025, Tesla's fortunes will remain in focus after its sales plummeted 39% from January to April across Europe. The decline stems partly from a backlash against CEO Elon Musk's controversial support for far-right groups, notably Germany's Alternative for Germany, ahead of the federal election in February. His backing sparked accusations of political interference and led to vandalism of Tesla properties and vehicles. Musk's deepening political involvement, including his role as a key adviser to Trump, has further eroded Tesla's brand appeal, with some owners distancing themselves from the world's richest man. His decision to step back from political duties last week leaves uncertainty about whether Tesla can reverse its sales slide. China's BYD was a sponsor of the Euro 2024 football tournament Image: Jörg Carstensen/picture alliance Chinese brands see strong growth While Tesla stumbles, automakers from Chinaare gaining ground, thanks to heavy state subsidies that are undercutting European and Japanese rivals. Despite EU tariffs aimed at curbing the influx of low-cost Chinese EVs, China's market share in Europe surpassed 5% for the first time in the first quarter of 2025, according to Bloomberg. JATO Dynamics reported a 546% year-on-year surge in Chinese plug-in hybrid registrations. After aggressive marketing, Chinese brand BYD overtook Tesla in European sales for the first time in April, registering 7,231 vehicles compared to Tesla's 7,165, a 169% increase from April 2024, according to JATO Dynamics. This shift underscores the fast-changing dynamics of the European auto market, now that China has caught up on the technology front. Despite this, last month's Bloomberg Intelligence survey found that support for domestic brands remained strong in Europe's five largest markets, with more than two-thirds of respondents saying they were hesitant to buy Chinese cars. Edited by: Uwe Hessler Editor's note: This story was first published June 11, 2025 and was updated on June 12 with details of the latest Bloomberg Intelligence survey.
Local Germany
21 hours ago
- Local Germany
Five hard truths about starting out as a freelancer in Germany
You've given away any clothes that aren't in shades of black, practiced pounding schnitzels paper-thin and are religiously avoiding anything spicier than black pepper. In short, you're ready for your new life as a freelancer in Germany. Working as a freelancer in Germany isn't all rosy. Complications lurk around every corner, from tricky visas to an endlessly complex tax system. Here are five things you need to know about being a freelancer in Germany. Obtaining a freelance visa can be tough EU citizens do not need a visa to live and work in Germany. Non-EU citizens wishing to freelance in Germany can apply for the Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur freiberuflichen Tätigkeit , or freelance visa. Citizens of a few countries can enter Germany visa-free and apply for the visa within the country. The rest will need to apply at a German consulate in their home country. But getting a freelance visa can be tricky. To be approved, you'll need to prove that you meet certain requirements, including that: Your work will benefit the local economy – in practice, that you have German clients or employees. You earn enough to support yourself – in Berlin, that means your rent + health insurance + €563 Your qualifications are recognised if you work in a regulated profession like law or healthcare You have a pension plan if you are over 45 The relatively stringent requirements are a barrier to many seeking to freelance in Germany. You must also ensure that you continue to meet the requirements when it comes time to renew your visa. READ ALSO: What not to do when you are freelancing in Germany Taxes are no joke Do you know your Freiberufler from your Gewerbe ? Are you ready to calculate your Einkommensteuer-Vorauszahlungen ? Advertisement German bureaucracy is famously fiendish. But it can be especially so for freelancers. Many aspects of the tax system are set up with the assumption that workers are full-time employees. Being a freelancer means negotiating additional layers of bureaucracy, including guessing how much you are likely to earn in the first and second years of work (to determine whether you have to charge your clients VAT or not) and submitting pre-payments every quarter based on how much you think you will earn. READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about paying taxes in Germany You'll also need to determine whether you are a Freiberufler (freelancer) or Gewerbe (self-employed), as the two have different tax implications. Then there's the matter of filing your taxes correctly, including deductions and expenses. The process can be so complicated for freelancers, especially if they work with clients abroad, that many simply hire a tax adviser to do it on their behalf. Be aware that finding a Steuerberater is a mission in itself – many are overbooked and even if you do find one, they do not come cheap. A good rule of thumb is to assume that 50 percent of your net income isn't yours. Set it aside and don't touch it until you've paid off all the taxes you owe. Advertisement Housing can be a nightmare for freelancers The housing market in many German cities is increasingly dysfunctional. In Berlin, Munich and other cities popular with expats, many locals and foreigners find it nigh-on impossible to secure a proper contract at a decent price. Some (your correspondent very much included) bounce between sublets for months or years until they find a permanent home. READ ALSO: 'Always be vigilant' - Expert tips for finding an apartment in Berlin Unfortunately, this problem can be exacerbated by being a freelancer. Many landlords favour applicants with a stable income and look down on people not in full-time employment. Be prepared to spend months living in a WG (shared flat) while you hunt for your own apartment. Heath insurance is pricey Freelancers in Germany pay 100 percent of their health insurance contribution, whereas most employers pay half. In addition, the cost scales differently from taxes. In practice, this means that many freelancers, especially those on low incomes, spend a large proportion of their income on health insurance, regardless of whether they are on private or public health insurance. Options such as low-cost 'expat insurance' are much cheaper but offer only limited coverage. Some creatives can apply to join the Künstlersozialkasse (Artists' Social Insurance Fund) , which pays half of the cost – though applications typically take months to be approved. Advertisement This system can come as quite a shock to people from countries with universal healthcare, where most of the costs are borne out of general taxation. And there's no chance to opt out of the system – being insured is a legal responsibility. Local clients often require German English speakers can get by fairly easily in daily life in Germany, especially in big cities. But it's another story entirely on the job market. Depending on your profession, you may find it tough to find local clients if you don't speak at least professional German. Of course, requirements vary by profession: many tech companies work in English, but more traditional fields like healthcare or engineering will often require a good grasp of the language. Having local clients can come in useful, especially for a visa application. For more on freelancing in Germany visit our dedicated section. But it's not all bad... Don't let the difficulties put you off. Freelancing in Germany comes with meaningful upsides. You'll have easy access to clients across the EU. Germany's big cities are creative business hubs where you can network with potential clients. And while bureaucracy can be painfully cumbersome, Germany offers extensive legal protections in the case of non-payment of contracts and for protection of your intellectual property. Share your own experiences of freelancing in Germany in the comments below. Are there any downsides or upsides I missed?
