The European Freight Index produced by Danske Bank indicates less positive development than was expected. Having slipped from 67 in April to 63 in May, the index is lower than the participants in the survey had anticipated two months ago. The air freight index dropped sharply to below the 50 threshold and maritime freight also contracted, while road freight remains relatively stable.
The survey consisted of two main questions: what is the volume of freight currently being processed by the company compared with 2 months ago and how are the volumes likely to evolve over the next 2 months? The responses give a value index that varies between 0 and 100. Scores above 50 equate to expansion.

A working document from the European Commission sheds light on the difficulties of introducing a carbon tax at the borders of the European Union.

The introduction of a European CO2 tax is generating plenty of column inches. Some say it would help protect Europe’s economy, while others insist that countries with less strict environmental policies would gain a commercial advantage if Brussels was to adopt more stringent rules on emissions.
"The administrative costs of the collection of this tax are exorbitant, as the system requires a host of different rates that vary according to the products and countries concerned ", the Commission states. "There is also a risk of the plan triggering a commercial war. Rival economic powers, such as China, will not hesitate to take retaliatory steps."