About this Episode
Luxembourg has appointed Patrick Hemmer as its new ambassador to the United States, succeeding Nicole Bintner‑Bakshian after her five‑year term. Hemmer arrived in Washington earlier this month and is awaiting formal accreditation, viewed as a routine formality. A career diplomat of two decades, he was Luxembourg’s ambassador to Thailand and has held senior posts at missions to the EU, UN, Warsaw and Moscow, plus served as diplomatic adviser to former PM Xavier Bettel.
Chinese e‑commerce giant JD.com is attempting to buy Ceconomy AG, parent of electronics retailer MediaMarkt, despite EU objections that Beijing-backed subsidies may have financed the bid. MediaMarkt operates two stores in Luxembourg. The European Commission opened an in‑depth probe into subsidies from third countries after concerns over preferential Chinese loans, tax breaks and state support. JD denies state aid, saying the deal is privately financed. France and Italy have approved the acquisition whilst Austria objects on data‑protection grounds. A provisional EU decision is now scheduled for 23 October. Possible outcomes could affect MediaMarkt’s Luxembourg stores.
After a drought-hit summer, fodder reserves across the Greater Region are severely depleted, leaving many livestock farmers worried about winter feed. Numerous farms have already drawn down stocks and some may cull herds if supplies run out; others are buying maize and concentrated feeds at higher prices. Reports of cross-border fodder trade exist but are not widespread. Solidarity convoys have delivered supplies at high transport cost. Farmers fear higher production costs will push up milk and meat prices and are calling for public support as El Niño’s impacts persist and uncertainty grips agricultural markets.
