German Trade Watch: Germany’s trade surplus narrowed in H1 2026 to €105.7bn as imports rose faster than exports; exports to the US fell while imports from China climbed, widening the deficit with Beijing. Markets & Rates: European shares were flat as higher oil prices and inflation worries offset a bond-market recovery after US Treasury long-dated buybacks; Germany’s borrowing costs hit a 15-year high. Fintech/Regulation: BitGo’s Korea unit received VASP registration acceptance from KoFIU, enabling regulated custody and transfer services for institutional clients. Banking & Policy Signals: Germany’s Make it in Germany portal lists 1,307 foreign vacancies in traffic, logistics, safety and security—mostly drivers—highlighting labor pressure that can feed into financial and wage dynamics. Security & Finance Risk: Germany’s BfV launched a helpline for exiles facing threats from repressive home-country agents, underscoring rising cross-border intimidation concerns. Auto Restructuring: Opel’s Rüsselsheim development centre faces 650 engineering job cuts as the brand leans more on Chinese EV tech, raising questions about Germany’s auto value chain.