Rob Schmitz

Marketplace’s China correspondent, based in Shanghai

Rob Schmitz appears in the following:

Poland's new Russian influence law gets flak as an attack on democracy

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Critics of the law, including in Washington and the European Union, warn that Poland's right-wing populist leaders could use the law to block candidates ahead of elections later this year.

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Many in Poland fear their country is moving toward autocracy

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Hundreds of thousands of Poles took to the streets to vent their anger and concern over what they say is an erosion of democratic norms. Many are concerned their country is headed toward autocracy.

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The Spanish tennis pipeline that's produced Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

One of the greatest tennis players, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, isn't at this year's French Open. But world #1 Carlos Alcaraz, also of Spain, is dominating. What is it about the Spanish tennis pipeline?

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A beluga whale — a suspected Russian spy — has reappeared after four years

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

A Beluga whale, allegedly a Russian spy, has reappeared in Sweden after a four year absence.

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Vini Jr. calls out Spain's soccer league after the latest racist taunts against him

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Racism against a top soccer player has roiled the world of Spanish soccer. Vinicius Jr. plays for Real Madrid and has been at the receiving end of repeated abuse from fans of rival teams.

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China dominates the solar power industry. The EU wants to change that

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Germany was a pioneer in the solar power industry, but succumbed to competition from China. Now, Germany — and the European Union — are trying to revitalize the industry once again.

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5 men are sentenced to prison for their brazen $123 million jewel heist

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Five men have been sentenced in what has been called the most spectacular jewel heist in German history. A crime family network made off with $123 million worth of jewels from the largest treasure collection in Europe.

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A student and his father are detained after 9 die in school shooting in Serbia

Wednesday, May 03, 2023

A teenager is in custody after opening fire at a school with his father's gun, police say. The boy called police himself after the shooting and had a list of children he wanted to kill.

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Germany aims to revive its solar power industry which was booming a decade ago

Tuesday, May 02, 2023

German solar panel manufacturers are working with lawmakers to rejuvenate the industry in Europe. They are seeking to counter China's dominance of the industry with tax incentives and legislation.

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Workers across Germany's transportation system are on a 1-day strike

Monday, March 27, 2023

Tens of thousands of German rail workers are on strike over wages and investment in the Deutsche Bahn rail company. Significant disruptions are expected for train, bus and air travel.

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Credit Suisse was once a Swiss national treasure. Now it's a cautionary tale

Friday, March 24, 2023

The history of Credit Suisse was enmeshed with Swiss history, and the bank long considered a national treasure with a great reputation. Last week, it was bought by rival UBS.

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Germany might ask drivers to pump the brakes on the Autobahn

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

The country is considering putting speed limits on its highway network — and the move is leading to some soul searching.

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First Republic Bank shares sink to another record low, but stock markets are calmer

Monday, March 20, 2023

Shares in the midsized lender continued to tumble as fears grow about First Republic's financial health grow even after it received a $30 billion lifeline from its bigger rivals last week.

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Swiss bank UBS will take over its competitor Credit Suisse for more than $3 billion

Monday, March 20, 2023

The deal was brokered by the Swiss government to try to contain a crisis of confidence in global financial markets.

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Turkey says it will ratify Finland's bid to join NATO

Friday, March 17, 2023

"NATO will become stronger with Finland's membership and thus, I believe, will play an active role in maintaining global security and stability," Turkey's president said Friday.

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Slovakia joins fellow NATO member Poland in sending fighter jets to Ukraine

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Ukraine has long sought fighter jets, though these are old Soviet-made MiG-29s and not the more advanced Western warplanes that Kyiv covets.

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Stocks drop as fears grow about the global banking system

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

A drop in shares of European lender Credit Suisse sparked fears that banking turmoil is spreading around the world.

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Biden and the EU's von der Leyen meet to ease tensions over trade, subsidy concerns

Friday, March 10, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, promises tax breaks to companies making technology for clean energy. European leaders are concerned companies will flee to the U.S. to cash in on the tax breaks.

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The head of the European Commission will hold talks with Biden at the White House

Friday, March 10, 2023

President Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to discuss trade and the war in Ukraine. Relations with China is also expected to come up.

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Germany moves toward restrictions on Huawei, as Europe sours on China

Wednesday, March 08, 2023

Germany said Tuesday it is reviewing tech suppliers such as China's Huawei and ZTE, whose equipment is used in Germany's 5G networks. Europeans are starting to favor a tougher stance on China.

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