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Trade Policy  ·  Diplomacy  ·  International Affairs
Sophia Hartmann
senior author

Sophia Hartmann

EU Policy Correspondent
📍 Brussels, Belgium
European Trade LawGermany-Asia RelationsEurozone EconomicsRegulatory Policy

Sophia Hartmann is a Brussels-based correspondent who has covered European trade policy for over twelve years. A native of Munich with a doctorate in International Economic Law from the University of Amsterdam, she is known for translating the dense language of EU trade directives into clear analysis that business leaders and citizens can use. She was previously a trade counsel at a major German industrial federation.

Articles by Sophia Hartmann

27 articles
The IRA and Global Trade: How America's Green Industrial Policy Is Dividing Allies
Trade Policy
United States's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliances...
20 April 2026 · 7 min read
French and Italian Luxury Goods: How EU Trade Deals Open Global Markets
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with European Union, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of ri...
10 April 2026 · 8 min read
EU Anti-Coercion Instrument: Europe's New Trade Weapon Against China
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
8 April 2026 · 8 min read
Germany's Trade Surplus: Economic Strength or Diplomatic Liability?
Trade Policy
Germany's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliances, post...
27 March 2026 · 7 min read
EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: How Europe Is Rewriting Global Trade Rules
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
26 March 2026 · 9 min read
EU Pharmaceutical Trade: Supply Chain Resilience After COVID-19 Shortages
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
26 March 2026 · 10 min read
BASF, Siemens, and the China Question: German Industry's Most Difficult Trade Decision
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with Germany, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of risks and...
19 March 2026 · 11 min read
Germany's Mittelstand and International Trade: How Medium Enterprises Export the World Over
Trade Policy
Germany's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliances, post...
12 March 2026 · 11 min read
German Deindustrialisation Fear: What Losing Manufacturing Means for Workers and Prices
Consumer Impact
Trade policy decisions taken in capitals and negotiating rooms ultimately land on the shelves of supermarkets, the ...
11 March 2026 · 8 min read
EU's Strategic Autonomy: Reducing Dependencies on China and the US
Diplomatic Movements
The diplomatic landscape involving European Union has undergone significant transformation in recent months, with h...
26 February 2026 · 11 min read
Zeitenwende and Trade: How Germany's Strategic Shift Reshapes Its Economic Partnerships
Diplomatic Movements
The diplomatic landscape involving Germany has undergone significant transformation in recent months, with high-lev...
25 February 2026 · 8 min read
Volkswagen, BMW, BASF: How Germany's Industrial Giants Are Caught in the US-China Crossfire
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with European Union, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of ri...
22 February 2026 · 9 min read
EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation: Targeting Chinese State Aid in European Markets
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
19 February 2026 · 11 min read
China-EU Trade Tensions: Electric Vehicles, Tariffs, and the Battle for European Markets
International Trade
China's international trade profile in 2025 reflects both enduring strengths and emerging vulnerabilities as global...
18 February 2026 · 11 min read
EU Deforestation Regulation: The Trade Law That's Reshaping Agricultural Supply Chains
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
8 February 2026 · 11 min read
Germany's Industrial Crisis: How Trade Disruptions Threaten Europe's Largest Economy
Trade Policy
Germany's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliances, post...
6 February 2026 · 7 min read
German Machinery and Technology Exports: Still the World's Toolmaker?
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with Germany, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of risks and...
29 January 2026 · 8 min read
EU EV Tariffs on China: The Decision That Could Define Europe's Industrial Future
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
22 January 2026 · 9 min read
India-EU Free Trade Negotiations: A Decade in the Making — What's Different Now
Diplomatic Movements
The diplomatic landscape involving India has undergone significant transformation in recent months, with high-level...
17 January 2026 · 8 min read
BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen: German Automakers Navigating the EV-Trade Revolution
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with Germany, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of risks and...
15 January 2026 · 9 min read
German Chemical Industry and Trade: REACH Regulations, China Competition, and the Future
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with Germany, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of risks and...
14 January 2026 · 9 min read
Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement: Five Years of Zero-Tariff Trade Results
International Trade
Japan's international trade profile in 2025 reflects both enduring strengths and emerging vulnerabilities as global...
19 December 2025 · 9 min read
Korea-EU FTA: Comprehensive Partnership in Trade and Technology
International Trade
South Korea's international trade profile in 2025 reflects both enduring strengths and emerging vulnerabilities as ...
12 December 2025 · 8 min read
US-EU Trade: The Transatlantic Partnership Under Pressure
International Trade
United States's international trade profile in 2025 reflects both enduring strengths and emerging vulnerabilities a...
7 December 2025 · 7 min read
German Industry Under Siege: How Trade Disruptions Are Threatening Europe's Largest Economy
Business Impact
For corporations operating in or with European Union, the current trade environment presents a complex matrix of ri...
6 December 2025 · 7 min read
EU Steel and Aluminium Safeguards: Protecting Industry in a World of Tariff Wars
Trade Policy
European Union's trade policy framework in 2025 stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by shifting global alliance...
5 December 2025 · 10 min read
Germany as EU Trade Power: Berlin's Influence on Brussels Trade Negotiations
Diplomatic Movements
The diplomatic landscape involving Germany has undergone significant transformation in recent months, with high-lev...
4 December 2025 · 8 min read