The EU’s struggles persist, with its economy showing no indication of breaking its downward trajectory.

Graham Charles Lear
4 min readDec 9, 2024

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EU’s total market production falls further, admits EU Commission EU Commission Admits: Total Market Production is on a Diet and Losing Weight

European Union Faces Downturn Across Industrial, Construction, and Service Sectors

In September 2024, total market production in the EU27 took a 0.6% tumble, with the euro area slipping by 0.7% compared to the previous month. It’s the kind of news that would have the UK media buzzing like bees around a spilt pint — especially the BBC. No offence, BBC, but we all know you’d dive on it faster than a seagull on a dropped chip.

The report highlights trends and fluctuations within these sectors, providing a comprehensive overview of the EU’s economic performance. Analysts suggest that the timing of the release, late on a Friday, may have been intended to minimize immediate scrutiny or market reactions. The TMPI serves as a critical tool for policymakers and economists, offering insights into the health and direction of the European market economy. Further analysis of the data is expected in the coming weeks, as stakeholders assess its implications for future economic strategies and decision-making.

The verdict of the EU’s official statistics agency

This decline highlights ongoing challenges in the EU’s economic recovery, with industrial production being the most significant contributor to the downturn. The slight contraction in services and construction further underscores the fragile state of the market.

The modest trade growth is like finding a Euro in your old jeans — it’s a small win, but it sure feels good, Proving that external demand is like your favourite pair of socks — you cant find them after being in the washer on high speed.

Analysts suggest that rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties may have played a role in the weaker performance across key sectors. Policymakers are now under pressure to implement measures that could stimulate growth and stabilize the market in the coming months.

The EU considers this index significant. According to the EU’s statistics agency:
“With its broad scope — covering industry, construction, trade, and services (excluding financial and public services) — the TMPI provides an initial insight into the monthly trends of the European market economy.”

This index might be a big deal for the EU, but as it keeps taking a nosedive, the EU Commission seems to have decided it’s not exactly front-page material. Instead, they’ve tucked it away on Eurostat, their stats agency’s website — a place so obscure, it’s practically the statistics version of a secret lair. Only specialists like me dare to venture there!

At a time when the new UK government appears focused on re-establishing closer ties with the EU rather than capitalizing on the growing success of Brexit Britain in securing global trade deals, I feel it’s crucial to draw attention to this recent development from the EU. As is often the case with unfavorable news, the EU discreetly released this information late on a Friday, and it seems to have gone largely unnoticed by mainstream media. In just one week, the UK will officially join one of the largest and fastest-growing trade blocs in the world, the CPTPP, becoming the first non-founding member to do so. In contrast, the EU has struggled to make progress in its own negotiations with the CPTPP. Meanwhile, some of the EU’s largest economies are either in decline or stagnating, as highlighted in my earlier report. The UK, by contrast, is leveraging the freedoms it gained post-Brexit. Since leaving the EU, Britain has secured a variety of trade agreements, demonstrating its ability to adapt and thrive on the global stage. While the UK’s economy faces potential challenges, such as those posed by Rachel Reeves’ budget, its current international trade position remains broadly positive.

This achievement underscores the UK’s strategic pivot towards global trade opportunities, showcasing its ability to act independently and decisively in forging new economic partnerships. Joining the CPTPP not only grants the UK access to a market of over 500 million people but also strengthens its position as a key player in international trade. The agreement encompasses diverse economies across the Asia-Pacific region, offering significant potential for growth in industries such as technology, agriculture, and financial services.

In contrast, the EU’s more cumbersome structure and slower negotiation processes highlight the challenges of coordinating trade policies among its 27 member states. While the EU remains a significant economic bloc, its recent struggles to advance trade agreements, particularly with the CPTPP, reveal the limitations of its current approach in an increasingly competitive global market.

As the UK continues to expand its trade horizons, it is essential to maintain momentum by fostering innovation, supporting domestic industries, and ensuring that businesses can fully capitalize on the benefits of these agreements. The government’s focus should remain on securing advantageous deals and addressing internal economic hurdles to sustain long-term growth and resilience.

Ultimately, the UK’s accession to the CPTPP marks a pivotal moment in its post-Brexit journey, proving that independence on the global stage can yield tangible benefits. By prioritizing strategic alliances and embracing economic agility, the UK has the opportunity to solidify its role as a dynamic and influential trading nation despite Rachel Reeves trying to destroy the UK.

Sources: EU Commission ]

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Graham Charles Lear
Graham Charles Lear

Written by Graham Charles Lear

What is life without a little controversy in it? Quite boring and sterile would be my answer.

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