On 6 May, Friedrich Merz was formally elected Chancellor by the German Bundestag. Merz and his government will take office at a critical moment for Germany and for Europe.

Our experts consider the implications for business of the choices confronting Friedrich Merz’s first cabinet. The challenges that Merz and his top team face are marked by economic difficulties, geopolitical uncertainties, declining competitiveness, and an urgent need for investment to drive growth.

Rebuilding Germany’s leadership in Europe, notably by improving ties with France and with the UK, will also be a key objective of the new government to respond collectively to the Trump challenge as well as the Russia threat.

In this podcast, Flint Director Anna Abela hosts a discussion on the new German government with:

• Andreas Krautscheid, Senior Adviser, a former CDU Member of the Bundestag and Minister of State in North-Rhine Westphalia, and CEO of the German Banking Association.
• Markus Becker-Melching, Senior Adviser, former COO of the German Banking Association and member of the Executive Committee of the European Banking Federation.
• François-Joseph Schichan, Director, former French diplomat including former head of Political Department at the French Embassy in London.

On Wednesday, 2 April, President Trump announced a baseline tariff of 10% on all US imports with specific tariffs for individual markets. Some of the highest rates were imposed on Asian jurisdictions. Countries across APAC have responded in a variety of ways: China has imposed retaliatory tariffs, Vietnam has offered to remove all tariffs, and a number of others, such as Japan, India and South Korea, are looking to start discussions with the US.

This podcast discusses the latest tariff developments, the response from Asian jurisdictions, the implications for businesses and what comes next.

Flint Partner Katie Whitting hosts the discussion with:

• Flint Partner and Head of Flint’s Trade and Market Access Practice, Sam Lowe
• Flint Senior Adviser and former Executive Director of the Singapore-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), James Crabtree
• Flint Senior Adviser and former Economic Director at the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office, Shahril Hamdan

On Wednesday, 26 March, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Spring Statement. What she originally hoped would be a low-key statement has taken on much greater significance as downgrades to economic forecasts test the Government’s ‘non-negotiable’ fiscal rules.

In this podcast, our experts discuss the decisions the Chancellor has made and consider the implications these choices will have for businesses – covering its impacts on the Government’s growth and public service ambitions, and what it could mean for the forthcoming Industrial Strategy and Spending Review.

Flint Partner Jon Sell will host a discussion on the economic and political implications of the Spring Statement between:

• Flint Special Partner and former Permanent Secretary, Dame Sue Owen
• Flint Specialist Partner and former senior executive at the UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility, Andy King
• Flint Specialist Partner and former adviser to the Chancellor, Ian Corfield

In this podcast our experts will assess the results of the German federal elections held on Sunday, 23 February.

The new government faces considerable domestic headwinds, with a challenging economic outlook, waning international competitiveness, and significant investment needed to stimulate growth. Our experts discuss how the new government might tackle these challenges and the outlook for the business environment in Germany. On the international stage, we will also explore what a new government means for Germany’s foreign and defence policy, its position in the EU, and its relationship with the new Trump administration. Finally, we will set out what comes next after the elections, from the process of coalition building to the formation of a new government and appointment of a new Chancellor.

Partner, Katie Whitting, chairs a discussion with:

• Andreas Krautscheid, Senior Adviser, a former CDU Member of the Bundestag and Minister of State in North-Rhine Westphalia, and CEO of the German Banking Association.
• Markus Becker-Melching, Senior Adviser, former COO of the German Banking Association and member of the Executive Committee of the European Banking Federation.
• Sir Julian King, Specialist Partner and former EU Commissioner.

In this podcast, our experts take stock of Trump’s first month in office and discuss the implications for the US’s political, security and economic relationships around the world.

The Trump Administration has moved quickly, making a range of announcements about domestic policy, deregulation, tariffs, and foreign affairs. Even if this momentum slows, it is clear that the new Administration means change. For business, the most pressing issue is where Trump goes on tariffs. Beyond this, signalling on Ukraine, the Middle East, the transatlantic relationship, and China suggests the potential for significant shifts —with long-term implications for the operating context of most global businesses.

Flint Partner Katie Whitting chairs the discussion with:

• Sam Lowe, Partner and head of Flint’s trade and market access practice
• James Crabtree, Flint Senior Adviser and former head of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Singapore office
• Francois-Joseph Schichan, Director and former French diplomat who specialises in European affairs.

Yesterday, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered the Budget along with a one-year Spending Review setting departmental plans for 2025-26.

In this podcast, our experts discuss the Budget and its implications in greater depth, what it means for Labour’s government programme and the political and economic impacts for the business community.

Flint Partner Jon Sell hosts the discussion between:

• Flint Specialist Partner and former Political Adviser and Media Spokesperson for Rachel Reeves as Shadow Chancellor, Heather Iqbal
• Flint Specialist Partner and former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May on economic and industrial policy, Giles Wilkes
• Flint Specialist Partner and former executive at the UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility and senior Treasury official, Andy King.

In this podcast, our experts examine the successes and shortcomings of the Government to date, the style and dynamics of the top ministerial team and the potential impact of recent changes in No10. They also consider what Labour can do to regain momentum, including through Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first budget and the delivery of promised major policy strategies.

Partner Kiran Horwich chairs the discussion with:

• James Purnell, Flint CEO, a former advisor to Tony Blair and Cabinet minister under Gordon Brown.
• Heather Iqbal, Specialist Partner, former political and communications adviser to Rachel Reeves.
• Siôn Simon, Specialist Partner, former MEP, MP and minister in the last Labour government.

Almost exactly a year after the Hamas attack triggered the crisis in Gaza, Israel’s land incursion into Southern Lebanon on 30 September opened a new phase of conflict in the Middle East. Iran and Hezbollah have suffered major blows in the past few days, with Israel demonstrating the superiority of its military and intelligence services. It is unclear yet how Iran and its proxies will respond. International diplomacy urging restraint and a ceasefire has been fruitless. This situation creates new uncertainties for the region and globally, coinciding with the final stretch of the US presidential election campaign.

Our Middle East experts consider what lies ahead and the implications for business of a potential further escalation of the conflict across the region.

Katie Whitting, Flint Partner and former Australian diplomat chairs the discussion between:

• Sir Simon Fraser, Flint Founding Partner, former head of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Simon previously served in the British embassies in Iraq and Syria
• Alistair Burt, Senior Adviser, former Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa (2017-2019), former Member of the UK Parliament
• Matthew Lehrfeld, Senior Adviser, former US diplomat, previously posted in Iraq and Syria.