Michael Nienaber

Stay informed with Michael Nienaber’s coverage and analysis for Fortune.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – JULY 16: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference on the 2028-2034 budget in Brussels, Belgium on July 16, 2025. (Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Germany rejects EU proposal for €2 trillion budget

By Michael Nienaber, Jorge Valero, and others

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte giving a speech at Chatham House, London, during his visit to the UK. Picture date: Monday June 9, 2025. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)

Europe frets about U.S. retreating from region ahead of NATO

By Andrea Palasciano, Michael Nienaber, and others

A protester wears an Elon Musk face mask and holds a sign that says, "I love fascism"

Musk’s election interference is rattling German political class

By Bloomberg, Arne Delfs, and others

North Korean soldiers marching

North Korea may end up sending Putin 100,000 troops for his war

By Alberto Nardelli, Michael Nienaber, and others

Emmanuel Macron gestures with his arm out wide during a speech at a podium with French, EU and German flags in background

‘Buy European’ and double EU budget to combat US and Chinese competition, says French President Emmanuel Macron

By Ania Nussbaum, Michael Nienaber, and others

20 June 2023, Berlin: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, r) and Li Qiang, Premier of China, shake hands after the press statement at the German-Chinese government consultations in the Federal Chancellery. The consultations between the heads of government and several other cabinet members from both sides have been taking place since 2011 and are now in their seventh year. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)

German chancellor downplays EU’s anti-subsidy probe into China’s electric vehicles: ‘What is the problem?’

By Michael Nienaber, Arne Delfs, and others

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

An energy crisis and recession combo means that Germany will borrow double what it usually does just to get through it

By Michael Nienaber, Kamil Kowalcze, and others