Lionel Laurent

From international real estate to US technology, Middle East funds have used their gushers of cash to boost soft power and diversify their economies away from oil.

The Saudi golf doubts are hinting at more to come

BYD sells the Dolphin Surf for less than 23,000 euros (S$34,830) in Europe.

Europe’s naivety about the China export shock is tragic

President Alexander Stubb says "resilience” is a part of Finnish DNA.

Can quality of life be a superpower? Ask Finland

European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius says the proposals by the US and Russia to end the war in Ukraine are "unacceptable" and that it would be better for Europe to step up with its own.

Ukraine’s Europe allies still hold an ace card in US showdown

For Swiss drugmakers like Novartis, the stay of execution granted to the sector feels temporary, with a possible 25 per cent pharmaceutical tariff to come if no deal is done.

Neutrality got the Swiss nowhere on tariffs

Even if Elon Musk deserves credit for his part in SpaceX’s domination in both rocket launches and satellite communications, the feud’s weaponisation of space suggests innovation has taken a backseat to favouritism.

Musk is the US$350 billion Rocket Man who fell to Earth

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns:  “At the moment, we strongly protect US tech companies … That can be changed.”

Big Tech is a target if 50% EU tariff threat stays

Paris needs to devise a new equity story beyond its trademarks of tourism, luxury and politically connected corporations.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Paris and London’s wealth loss is Dubai’s gain

Trump’s proposed national reserve of cryptocurrencies is uncharted territory for any country, let alone the US.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Crypto’s next bubble will be politically motivated

Revolut co-founder Nikolay Storonsky recently flagged that backers will want an initial public offering “sooner or later”, and that the US looks a preferable listing destination.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Revolut’s road to IPO will test fintech’s hype