EU COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON: STEEL SAFEGUARDS SHOULD APPLY TO ALL EU PARTNERS INCLUDING SWITZERLAND, ONLY EEA COUNTRIES ARE PARTLY EXEMPTED

A South Korean court has granted Samsung Electronics an injunction restricting planned industrial action, ruling that staffing levels for safety, maintenance and product quality must remain normal during a proposed 18-day strike set to begin Thursday. The Suwon District Court also barred unions from blocking facilities or obstructing workers, with fines of up to Won100mn per day for violations. The decision weakens the strike threat and comes as Samsung held last-minute talks with unions, amid government warnings that a walkout could severely damage the economy. Workers are demanding an end to bonus caps and a profit-linked bonus system. Samsung shares rose more than 4% following the ruling and have more than doubled this year.

CHINA NBS SPOKESPERSON, ON DOMESTIC DEMAND: WILL, CAPACITY OF PEOPLE TO SPEND NEEDS IMPROVING