German exports hit by global slowdown in demand

Boris Johnson is soon to leave Downing Street for the last time. According to a recent Ipsos survey, the British public rank him as the country's worst performing postwar leader. Johnson will be forever remembered as one of the men behind Brexit and as a PM who attended illegal parties at Downing Street during lockdown. But some Conservatives are already nostalgic for the leader they affectionately call "Boris". FRANCE 24's Julien Sauvaget and Clovis Casali report from across the UK on Johnson's divisive legacy.

Business ties are high on the agenda at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan. The countries represented are huge potential markets for Russian energy, and Vladimir Putin has been pushing for closer ties. China and India in particular have increased their imports of Russian oil, natural gas and coal since the invasion of Ukraine. Also on the show: US railworkers reach a deal to avoid a costly strike, and the owner of Patagonia donates the retailer to a climate charity.

The global energy crisis is weighing on households and businesses around the world. The US is more insulated from the high prices because it's a net exporter of energy, and American producers have boosted shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe. But energy and finance analyst Clark Williams-Derry says the ongoing supply issues could change the balance.

Record numbers of people are moving to the UK even as the pro-Brexit government promises to crack down on immigration. Roughly 50,000 EU citizens left the UK over a one-year period, while 331,000 non-EU citizens arrived.

The EU Parliament wants to end the export of recyclable plastics, often slammed for degrading health and environment in poorer countries.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have jointly announced in-person talks, in London on Monday. This comes amid long-running post-Brexit negotiations on Northern Ireland.

In a letter to the Dutch parliament, the country's trade minister has said exporters of chip technology will have to ask for licences to do business abroad, citing concerns over international security. The Netherlands is home to one of the leaders in chipmaking equipment, ASML.

It was like an estranged couple agreeing to give themselves another chance. Announcing the "Windsor Framework" in late February, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were emphatic that the UK and the EU are allies, trading partners and friends.

Pakistan's exclusion from the EU's list of "high-risk third countries" is likely to boost exports to the bloc and reduce the legal and financial costs of business with the EU.

The UK is the first new member and European country to join CPTPP, which is made up of 11 Pacific nations including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Germany witnessed a 5.2% decline in exports in the month of March. The larger-than-expected drop was caused by lower demand from the EU, US and China.

In an eleventh round of sanctions on Russia, Brussels is hoping to crack down on the evasion of existing trade restrictions, particularly when it comes to the re-exportation of sensitive technology that can be used on the battlefield in Ukraine. On Monday, the European Commission proposed curbing exports to nations it accuses of helping Moscow get around trade sanctions, as well as blacklisting several Chinese companies that sell equipment that can be used in weapons.