The shift from automotive to defense manufacturing is gaining momentum across Europe as small and mid-sized manufacturers struggle with the transition to electric vehicles. Century-old automotive suppliers are adapting their operations to cater to the military sector. These companies, which has had to cut workforce in recent years, see defense as a new growth opportunity. Their pivot reflects a broader trend driven by declining automotive demand and a surge in defense spending across Europe.

European governments are ramping up military budgets amid growing security concerns, particularly after the US signaled a reduced commitment to NATO. Germany has eased its national debt rules to fund more defense expenditures, while countries such as Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic states are significantly increasing their military budgets. The European Union is mobilizing €800 billion for security, and NATO’s new Secretary General, Mark Rutte, has urged members to boost spending to 3.5% of GDP.

The US copper market is on the verge of an unprecedented supply surge as traders rush to front-run potential tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. With between 100,000 and 150,000 metric tons of refined copper expected to arrive in the coming weeks, the volume could surpass all-time records, straining warehousing capacity in New Orleans and Baltimore.

Major commodities traders, including Trafigura Group, Glencore Plc, and Gunvor Group, are redirecting shipments originally destined for Asia to the US, where copper prices are trading at a steep premium compared to the London Metal Exchange (LME). This price arbitrage has fueled the reallocation of global supplies, impacting major copper consumers like China and reshaping trade flows.

The shift of Taiwan’s manufacturing base to the US is accelerating as President Donald Trump’s trade policies continue to reshape global supply chains. The $100 billion investment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in US chip production stands as one of the largest foreign investments in American history. For Taiwan’s industry leaders, this marks a turning point—one that demands prioritizing US expansion like never before.

Taiwanese electronics manufacturers—renowned for their expertise in high-end technology production—are now scaling up US operations at an unprecedented pace. This migration, initially triggered by US sanctions and export controls on China, has intensified as Trump threatens additional tariffs and trade barriers.

Bismuth prices in Europe and the United States have soared to record highs as China’s export restrictions on the metal squeeze global supply. The price of bismuth on the European spot market has jumped to $40 per pound, an all-time high, compared to $6 per pound in late January, marking a more than six-fold increase. In the U.S., prices have climbed even further to $55 per pound, compared to $6.50–$7 before China’s export curbs.

Traders attribute the higher U.S. prices to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, which have further inflated costs in an already tight market. The supply crisis stems from China’s February decision to impose export controls on five critical metals—tungsten, tellurium, molybdenum, bismuth, and indium—in response to Trump’s broad import duties.

The European Union is set to tighten steel import quotas by 15% from April 1, aiming to prevent an influx of cheap steel into the European market following the U.S. steel tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. This move comes amid fears that steel originally bound for the U.S. could be diverted to Europe, threatening the viability of European steelmakers already grappling with high energy costs and fierce competition from Asia.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Stephane Sejourne emphasized that the EU must protect its industry, stating that during a period when nobody is respecting WTO rules and everyone refers to national security, the EU cannot be the only continent that lets its industry fall apart. The U.S. market has become less attractive for global steel exporters due to the 25% tariff imposed by the Trump administration.

General Motors (GM) is expanding its partnership with Nvidia to integrate AI-powered chips and software for developing autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and optimizing its manufacturing processes, the companies announced on Tuesday.

The move highlights the growing role of AI and machine learning in the automotive industry, as traditional automakers face intense competition from Tesla and tech-driven EV startups. By incorporating Nvidia’s AI platforms, GM aims to enhance its driver-assistance features and streamline factory planning.

India’s trade negotiations with the United States are making steady progress and are expected to yield favorable results, according to Trade Secretary Sunil Barthwal. His optimistic remarks come just weeks before US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs take effect on April 2.

Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi on Monday, Barthwal said there is “forward movement” in the talks, and that India anticipates a “positive outcome.” His comments follow a recent visit by India’s commerce minister to the US, where discussions focused on a bilateral trade agreement. While Trump has signaled that India could be among the nations affected by his upcoming tariffs, New Delhi remains engaged in proactive discussions to ensure a balanced trade arrangement.

Investor confidence in Germany’s economy surged in March, marking the largest increase in more than two years, as the country prepares for a historic wave of infrastructure and military investments under its new government. The ZEW institute’s expectations index climbed to 51.6 from 26 in February—its highest level since February 2022—exceeding analysts’ median forecast of 48.3. Although the measure of current economic conditions also improved, it lagged behind expectations.

The renewed optimism stems from positive signals regarding future German fiscal policy and the European Central Bank’s sixth consecutive interest rate cut, which is expected to provide favorable financing conditions for households and businesses.