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DW
12-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
For France's far right, US ties demand careful balancing act – DW – 07/12/2025
Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally is eyeing the 2027 elections. But the party is wary of the fallout for France from the Trump administration's policies. As President Donald Trump and his administrationbuild ties with far-right parties across Europe, France's National Rally is offering a wary response to Washington's overtures, as it surges in the polls and hopes to finally clinch victory in the country's 2027 presidential election. Multiple factors are shaping the National Rally's cautious approach towards Trump and his MAGA movement, analysts say: From the French party's traditional, if fading, distrust of a 'hegemonic' United States, to the negative impact on France of US tariffs, to strong antipathy towards Trump on the part of many French voters. "Overall they are relatively ideologically aligned with Trump, and they've been positive about his re-election," said Camille Lons, deputy Paris Office head of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) of the National Rally. "But they're much more careful than a number of other populist leaders in Europe. There is more distance in the relationship than in Germany, or Italy for example." In Germany, some observers believe that strong backing by Trump allies, like Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk, helped to catapult the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to second place in the February elections. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's warm relations with the US leader have lifted her standing within the European Union, which sees her as a potential bridge to smoothing ties with Washington. The Trump administration's influence is also discernable elsewhere in Europe, including in Hungary and in Poland, both of which hosted the US-founded Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this year — a first for Warsaw, where the Trump-endorsed candidate Karol Nawrocki won June's presidential elections. "From the American side, these parties are seen as potential instruments to influence European politics," said German Marshall Fund program officer Zsuzsanna Vegh. "The fact they're euroskeptic and challenge the European Union plays into the hands of the [Trump] administration." But the US leader's brand carries risks for the National Rally, analysts say, even though France's leading opposition party shares his nationalistic, anti-immigration views. A June ECFR poll showed 55% of French saw Trump's policies as not only harmful for their own country, but half also believed they harmed the United States. Among National Rally voters, only 37% considered Trump's policies good for US citizens; just 18% thought they were good for French ones. "The National Rally is pursuing a strategy of vote maximalization," ahead of the 2027 elections, said Vegh. "It needs to appear as a party that is moderate enough to be able to draw voters from the mainstream — and not alienate its own electorate, which is also quite skeptical of Trump's impact on France." Trump's threat of massivetariffs on EU imports — potentially hitting French industry and agriculture — offers one example of the negative fallout, Vegh said. The National Rally "can't really risk appearing to be on overly friendly terms with a leader who might harm the interests of their core, blue-collar electorate." For National Rally leader and three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, the Trump administration poses a delicate balancing act in other ways. Since inheriting the party from her father in 2011, Le Pen has spent years broadening and diversifying its base, reaching out to gay, Jewish, younger and more center-right voters — even as the National Rally's anti-immigrant, populist core remained intact. Her party emerged in first place in last year's European Parliament and French National Assembly elections, although it failed to capture a majority. Unlike other European far-right figures, Le Pen was not invited to Trump's inauguration. Earlier this year, her 29-year-old protege and National Rally president, Jordan Bardella, tangled with MAGA heavyweight Steve Bannon — cancelling a CPAC speech after Bannon appeared to make a Nazi salute. Bardella's move earned a sharp rebuke from Bannon. "That's a good example of the risk of being associated with Trump and his entourage," said the ECFR's Lons, "at a moment when the RN has been working so hard in trying to normalize its image and appear like a party that is able to govern." But when Le Pen was convicted of graft in March over a fake jobs scandal involving European Parliament hires — potentially sinking her presidential bid — Trump slammed the judicial decision as a "witch hunt." More recently, a Trump State Department appointee offered to bankroll Le Pen's appeal with US government funds, according to Politico and Reuters — an overture that was reportedly rebuffed. (Bardella is poised to take Le Pen's place as presidential candidate if she loses her appeal.) On a recent, party-organized visit to France's opulent Senate one sweltering afternoon, National Rally supporters offered a mixed take on the US leader and his impact. Former flight attendant Jacques Le Roy said he hoped his party would replicate Trump's signature measures: From tariffs and immigration crackdowns, to massive government layoffs which Le Roy described as "degreasing the system." He had a thumbs-up, too, for diluting the powers of the European Union, which the US leader has described as born to "screw" the US. "We agree with a lot of Trump's ideas," Le Roy said. "It's normal we have our differences. But the ideas remain the same." But finance student Noe Marguinal, also at the Senate visit, was less enthusiastic. "France and Europe are extremely tied to the United States, and in my opinion too much," Marguinal said. "I think it's better we decide more for ourselves than remain under the subordination of the United States." For the National Rally's critics, Trump's Washington sets an alarming precedent. Both Le Pen and Bardella lead the polls as potential presidential candidates. Analysts and ordinary French residents wonder whether a longtime 'Republican Front' of parties, previously blocking the National Rally from winning elections, will finally crumble. At a recent anti-Trump protest in Paris, many expressed fears of a National Rally victory. "Could it happen here?" asked French musician Clothilde Desjeunes, of the Trump administration's impact since taking office. "Yes. That's why we're out here fighting." Another protester, Cathy, with US-French nationality, echoed those concerns. "I'm worried about the National Rally, I'm very worried," she said, declining to give her last name for fear of reprisal. "I see a lot of parallels with the United States." What happens across the Atlantic could help shape the National Rally's electoral fortunes, analysts say. If Washington imposes steep tariffs on France, or if Trump's policies fail spectacularly, the party could feel the aftershocks, said Lons. Optionally, she said, it could be lifted by a surging European far-right alliance that Washington is trying to cultivate. It's more likely, she believes, that the party will hedge its bets. "They'll keep a distance with Trump, so they're not affected by his controversial positions," she said, "but they'll still be reinforced by the overall rise of the far right across Europe."
The Journal
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
'Strange and slightly goofy': US tech firm books out seven pubs on Dublin's Dame Lane
A TECH COMPANY booked out seven pubs, and a barbershop on Dame Lane last night to entertain guests at an IT conference. All of the pubs were turned into open bars, with food going for free for those attending too. From around 6pm to 11pm, most of Dame Lane became a private, mini Temple Bar for employees and guests of Kaseya, a US-founded IT Solutions company (valued at $2bn), that was in town for its Dattacon Europe conference over in the Convention Centre. Today, publicans were tight-lipped on the obvious question that comes to mind: how much exactly would that set you back? The man pulling pints in the self-described 'family owned boozer' Dame Tavern professed that he knew nothing, though he claimed that extra was paid to bigger venues, and those that offered food (Dame Tavern offered a pizza menu in partnership with Pi Pizza). A regular at the bar told The Journal today that the conference goers were from 'all over Europe, the States, just a few Irish'. 'I came for my usual after work pint and couldn't get in, so I sussed it out,' he said. This reporter braved the sunshine to visit the pubs that took part including DisnDat, JT Pimms, the Stag's Head, The Voyager, 4 Dame Lane, and The Bankers Bar. Publicans were hesitant to estimate an overall cost for the shindig. Advertisement The collective word on the street, however, is that we're talking 'somewhere in the region of half a million euros, once you factor in what the bars were paid, the entertainment, and the security.' The venues were paid varying fees, and live entertainment was put on in all of them. At one stage, Irish dancers put on a show in the middle of the lane. In Sam's Barbers, the manager Mark tells The Journal that the whole thing was pretty tame. 'We were flat out from 2pm until 11pm at night. We must have done between 50 and 60 haircuts. They were a friendly bunch, and no one was in a bad way, actually,' he said. It's understood all this came about a few months ago when a man who worked for an events company popped into a few of the bars on the street to inquire about whether they'd be interested. A meeting of publicans was convened, and the terms and conditions were agreed. Two bars that weren't open when the man called around missed out, unfortunately. 'It's never happened before that someone has rented out the whole lane like that, and it's the kind of thing we need more of, it went really well,' Mark said. Another bar manager said the night was 'strange, and slightly goofy, but quite fun'. 'They were all IT types, so they didn't actually drink that much, like, imagine if a company from here put on seven open bars,' he said – which seems best not to imagine. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Al Etihad
13-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Hub71 startup eyes UAE as future hub for cultivated meat
13 May 2025 21:50 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)With the backing of Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem Hub71, Orbillion Bio is cooking up a future where the UAE is a leading producer and exporter of meat without the need for cattle, land, or US-founded startup leverages advanced biotechnology to grow real beef from animal cells without slaughter. In an interview with Aletihad , Patricia Bubner, CEO and founder of Orbillion Bio, explained the company's production process, which relies on cell culture technology that has long been used in the biopharma industry. This includes extracting cells from a cow and growing them in bioreactors, where they're fed nutrients like amino acids, sugars, and result is real muscle and fat cells that can be harvested and formed into ground beef products, from dumplings and kebabs to burgers and this process is traditionally expensive, Bubner noted that Orbillion's proprietary BioWare software and computational methods have helped cut production costs by 94%.The company's first cell line came from Wagyu ribeye, chosen with help from a San Francisco butcher."We wanted to start with the best-tasting meat," said Bubner. "And the feedback we've gotten from butchers and food industry partners is that it tastes just like beef, because it is beef."Though cultivated meat is still a relatively new concept for many consumers, Bubner is confident in growing interest across the Middle East."When people understand how it's made and taste it, they're much more open to it," she said. "The key is taste, price, and scale. We don't want people to compromise."Unlike conventional meat, cultivated beef is produced without antibiotics or exposure to pathogens, making it cleaner and healthier, according to Bubner."There's no blood, no contamination, no fecal matter risks. It's a sterile process," she explained. "And we don't need to raise and slaughter animals."This production approach also promises notable environmental benefits. Bubner noted that beef is among the most resource-intensive foods, as cows emit significant methane and require vast land and water claims it can cut water usage by up to 90% and land use by more than 90% compared to traditional livestock Up in Abu DhabiOrbillion Bio began exploring the UAE market after early support from regional investors, opening the team's eyes to its growing focus on food security and climate then, Bubner has made several visits to the region, culminating in the company's recent decision to set up operations in the UAE capital after joining described Abu Dhabi as "an ideal base" for climate-forward startups."We feel very supported. Hub71 is a great environment with access to investors, local producers, and fellow founders. And it's beautiful here."Currently, the startup produces its cultivated beef in Europe while working toward regulatory approval to tap into the UAE market."The UAE imports most of its meat. We can reverse that," she said. "We want to build manufacturing here, create IP, hire from local universities, and scale a new industry. The UAE has the climate goals, the infrastructure, and the vision; it's a perfect fit." The company aims to begin commercial sales by 2026–2027, with a longer-term goal of reaching commodity-level pricing by 2030 - around $4 per kilogramme.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
How Gen Z's matcha obsession is causing a crippling global shortage
Boomer: Fancy a cuppa? Gen Z: I'd love one. My matcha powder's on the counter. Disgusting. It looks like something you'd put in a dodgy cigarette. 'There's a raft of supposed health benefits,' according to your Boomer bible The Telegraph. 'Everything from stronger bones and improved memory to defence against cancer.' Live to 100 but the trade-off is swapping my beloved Yorkshire Tea for milky pond water? No thanks. It's actually a very specific form of leaf tea, grown in the shade in Japan, steamed and dried without being rolled, and then ground to a powder – £16.49 from Holland & Barrett. I bet the farmers whisper affirmations at the leaves while they grind them. Don't be ridiculous. The best is ground by hand and as it takes an hour to prepare just 30g of the stuff, there's not much time for blessing it. All that for tea that tastes like the contents of your shoe after a rainy walk. When I tried it, it was like chewing wet hay. You're in the minority. Demand is so great that The Japan Times warns of a global matcha shortage – despite farmers more than tripling their output since 2010. You won't catch my tea causing a geopolitical incident. Not unless Peta takes issue with those old PG Tips chimps. Animal exploitation and fusty breakfast tea? That's seriously cursed vibes. Didn't you see the survey showing only a quarter of 20-somethings ever drink a normal tea? What do you suggest? That me and the UK's other 51 million tea drinkers switch to what one Times reader rightly labelled 'boiled grass water'? It's an acquired taste, but celebs love it. Dua Lipa has more pics on Instagram with her iced matcha than with her boyfriend. It's an aesthetic. I can get the same 'aesthetic' with a blender and tin of mushy peas. It'll probably taste better, too. You need to try Blank Street's £3.90 matcha. The US-founded chain is so popular that TikTokers travel from Newcastle to its 35 London stores. One of its bestsellers is the white chocolate matcha latte with oat milk, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract and matcha. Bubble tea. The Taiwanese drink has garnered 4.5 billion views on TikTok and there are more than 400 cafés in the UK. I don't want bubbles in my tea, thanks. They're not bubbles, they're chewy tapioca balls, duh. And it's made with oolong tea, which cuts the risk of heart disease and strokes. Chewy balls in oolong tea? Sounds like when they have to pop the fish eyes on I'm a Celebrity… Wrong. The UK's biggest chain, Bubbleology, sells tasty flavours like Strawberries and Cream for £5.79. And it's pink! So Instagrammable. Drinking battery acid laced with chewy balls in the name of healthy living. What happened to builder's tea and cake? I didn't even know how to make a normal tea until I saw influencer Jessica Cuspinera's TikTok tutorial (230,000 views and counting). Where can you go wrong with making tea? It's sticking a bag in a mug, not bomb disposal. One viewer wrote, 'How much time, exactly, should the tea bag be in the hot water?' Easy! Steep the tea for exactly five minutes in boiled water, remove and add a splash of milk, as per the late Queen's butler. Another Gen Z-er thought you put the tea bag in cold water then heated it all in the microwave. Save me! So much for youngsters finding a junior job, making good tea and working their way up. Asking an intern to fetch your tea – that's definitely reinforcing outdated work hierarchies. I'd call HR. You're not a matcha? Chai a bit harder.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Amsted Automotive US-Based Manufacturing Minimizes Tariff Risks for Automakers
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amsted Automotive leverages its global automotive manufacturing capabilities to maximize efficiencies and minimize costs for automakers. This includes 13 US-based manufacturing facilities producing the majority of Amsted Automotive's more than 100 million components and assemblies annually. Amsted Automotive has facilities in Europe, Asia, Mexico and Canada, producing parts to the same specifications and quality, allowing Amsted to supply customers in their region of production, minimizing cost and time. 'It has always been Amsted's strategy to manufacture in the customer's region,' said Bill Kerfin, President of Amsted Automotive. 'Having local engineering teams and manufacturing facilities improves efficiencies and minimizes costs, which is especially true today with quick-changing tariff policies.' Amsted Automotive is comprised of these US-founded and based companies: Means Industries Inc., Transform Automotive LLC, SMW Manufacturing, and Burgess-Norton Mfg. Co., Inc., that engineer and manufacture components used by nearly every global automaker, as well as industrial manufacturing companies around the world. These products and capabilities include electro-mechanical clutch solutions for electrified, hybrid and ICE propulsion systems; award-winning powder-metal technology; and market-leading metal-stamping and cold-forming and finishing capabilities. Amsted's range of experience includes gears, brake pistons, piston pins, suspension and chassis components, coupler components, road rehabilitation & milling/miner bits, electric motor housings, hybrid and EV battery trays, and more. Burgess Norton has two facilities in Geneva, IL, and one in Beaver Dam, WI. Burgess Norton manufactures powder metal components and piston pins for automotive, commercial and industrial markets. Means Industries has one facility in Saginaw, MI, and is a manufacturer of electro-mechanical clutches used in transmissions and e-axle disconnects for the automotive, commercial and industrial markets. SMW Manufacturing has two facilities in Belleville, MI, one facility in Munith, MI, one facility in Taylor, MI, and one facility in Oxford, MS. SMW, a Burgess Norton company, manufactures cold-formed components for the automotive, industrial and commercial markets. Transform Automotive has two facilities in Saginaw, MI, one facility in Sterling Heights, MI, and one facility in Shelby Township, MI. Transform manufactures advanced metal formed components for automotive, commercial and industrial markets. About Amsted Automotive In 2021, Amsted Automotive brought together Means Industries Inc., Transform Automotive, SMW Manufacturing, and Burgess-Norton Mfg. Co., Inc. to form a new and innovative technology team. The integration provides an expanded global presence with 21 facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia to serve the global automotive, off-highway and mining industries with a robust manufacturing footprint, producing over 100 million components and assemblies annually. The team combines design and engineering expertise, strategically aligned to be a leader in precision products and efficiency solutions for electrified, hybrid and ICE propulsion systems. Amsted Automotive plays an integral role in global automatic transmissions designed and manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia.
