Global Scans · France · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Discontent with political elites and country performance is driving the discourse and demand for action from the French public. With Presidential elections due in May 2017 it remains to be seen whether another political earthquake may happen in one of the EU's founding countries.

• [New] As European markets experience a boost, with the STOXX Europe 600 Index rising by 2.77% amid easing trade tensions and positive signals from major economies like Germany and France, investors may find opportunities in stocks potentially trading below their estimated value. Simply Wall St
• [New] The HyDuqm project, led by France's Engie and South Korea's Posco, anticipates attracting between $7 billion and $8 billion in investments to develop up to 5 GW of new wind and solar capacity and produce 200,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually. Oman Observer
• [New] French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the EU's position on the inadmissibility of recognizing Crimea's annexation, emphasizing that Russia remains the main threat to global stability. Amazing Ukraine
• [New] A decline in tourism from countries like Germany, China, France, and South Korea - all major global players - could undermine the U.S.'s international image at a time when geopolitical alliances are shifting rapidly. THINK TANK JOURNAL
• [New] Previous terrorist attacks involving Afghan refugees in the EU will very likely encourage far-right politicians to promote repatriation plans from Germany, Italy, and France to Afghanistan. CTG
• [New] The apparent lack of coverage regarding the terrorist attacks in France can lead to a sense of complacency or ignorance among the public regarding similar threats that may exist within the UK. Trends Newsline
• [New] Greece, France, Spain and Italy are expected to have a favorable balance between supply and demand. Hospitality Net
• [New] Earlier in 2025 EDF, which operates French nuclear fleet, increased the forecast output for 2025 from 335-365 TWh to 350-370 TWh, which could result in higher energy flows to the UK as the UK remains a net importer of electricity from France. Envantage Ltd
• [New] Germany could ban candidates of the Alternative for Germany party from running for office under proposed new rules following a decision in France to block Marine Le Pen's presidential bid. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] France is one of the biggest foreign suppliers of wine to the US, and its winemakers have expressed anxiety about what the 20% EU tariffs will mean for their business. BBC News
• [New] War with Iran is 'almost inevitable' if no nuke deal reached, France warns French foreign minister warns that military confrontation with Iran will be virtually unavoidable if a new nuclear deal cannot be reached; US weighs indirect talks with Tehran after Iran rejected direct negotiations. Rapture Ready
• The European Union is projected to grow at 1%, with major economies like: France, Germany, and Italy expected to register below 1% growth. IBPS Guide
• Reflecting the broader threat to transatlantic relations posed by the threat of military force, France and Germany stepped forward to affirm that Europe would not let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders. gmfus
• The largest wine exporters to the US, France and Italy, will face a tariff rate of 20%, 10% more than New Zealand and other large non-EU wine exporters. interest.co.nz
• The attacks in France highlight the vulnerabilities in prison security, particularly regarding how extremist ideologies can infiltrate even the most secure environments. Trends Newsline
• As doubts grow over U.S. nuclear commitments, Germany's new chancellor has sparked debate on whether France and the United Kingdom could provide a European nuclear umbrella. Center for Strategic and International Studies
• If China calls for India's permanent membership in the UN Security Council, Russia will immediately concur, while the US, UK, and France will vote for India as well. Blogger
• Algeria's air force, built around Russian designs, mitigates some risks, but diversifying suppliers-like France's Rafale or China's FC-31 - remains a long-term option. KMAUPDATES
• The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade's energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty. EnergyNews
• The leaders of Germany, of Poland and France have recently said things about expanding a nuclear umbrella because they are concerned that America is not going to be as committed to their defence. CBS News
• Milk production is expected to fall in Germany, France and Netherlands in 2025 as a consequence of bluetongue. Irish Farmers Journal
• The euro area is forecast to grow by just 1.0%, with Germany teetering near recession and France and Italy showing limited recovery. CFA Institute Enterprising Investor
• In 2025, new regional hubs will open in Italy, France, and Germany, further strengthening customer support, dealer development, and product management. Engineering News

Last updated: 30 April 2025