U.K.’s Fox sees 60% chance of no Brexit deal being reached

The British government has urged the EU to rethink the part of the Brexit deal that governs trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. But the European Commission has refused such requests in the past.

A lack of qualified drivers combined with tough visa regulations are slowing down the country's supply chains. Food retailers like McDonald's have been hit. The Christmas season could stretch things to the limit.

Beijing has applied to join a free trade agreement, once called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which had been originally designed to counter Chinese economic clout. Now, China sees economic opportunity.

Taiwan has formally filed to join the trans-Pacific trade deal initially negotiated by the US. Intended to freeze China out, Trump walked away from the deal but now China and Taiwan want in.

Traditionally, the hills of eastern Rwanda were a place for growing coffee, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and bananas. But in recent years, new plants have also appeared, such as patchouli, geranium and eucalyptus. Whole villages have begun to transform them into essential oils, helping lift many inhabitants out of poverty. And demand is booming for these wellness products worldwide. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.

Traditionally, the hills of eastern Rwanda were a place for growing coffee, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and bananas. But in recent years, new plants have also appeared, such as patchouli, geranium and eucalyptus. Whole villages have begun to transform them into essential oils, helping lift many inhabitants out of poverty. And demand is booming for these wellness products worldwide. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.

Cigarettes in Indonesia are already among the world's cheapest, but in times of economic hardship, a boom in illegal cigarettes is continuing.

The UK has given Brussels ten days to respond to its demands over customs checkpoints in the Irish Sea. The UK's Brexit minister has told the EU to rethink the terms of its trade accord.

In an interview with FRANCE 24, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai insisted the country was not in a new Cold War with China despite lingering tensions over trade. She also stressed that the US was keen to repair ties with France and Europe after a recent Australian submarine dispute, which led to the first-ever recall of a French ambassador to the United States.

Beijing is seeking the elimination of US tariffs, while Washington sees the discussions as a test of bilateral engagement between the two major economic powers.

Less than a year since the EU and UK struck a post-Brexit deal, the sides are apparently preparing for a trade war. Tensions over the Northern Ireland Protocol have pushed things to the brink.

The measures could halve customs paperwork and checks on meat, dairy and other food products coming to Northern Ireland.