Trade

EU conservatives vote with far right to weaken forest protections
It’s the second time the EPP has sided with far-right groups to weaken environmental rules this month.

US demands digital concessions in return for EU steel tariff relief

In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs

Trump quietly holds off on Canada tariff increase

EU to request booze, pasta, cheese tariff exemptions from Trump administration

Eurostar warns of higher fares amid UK tax raid on Channel Tunnel

Britain tries to reform global trade — without alienating Trump
EU’s premium cheeses grate against free trade
The way Europe promotes exports of traditional local produce is loathed by competitors in the U.S. and Australia. But other trade partners are copying it.
China lashes out against US’s Greece ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle
The former Fox News host, now an ambassador, had suggested Beijing’s influence over Greece’s largest port was “unfortunate” and might be offset by boosting American investment in other infrastructure.
EU countries seek to weaken deforestation law as green backpedaling continues
The decision coincides with COP30 and will add fuel to claims the EU is walking back its green ambition.
Dutch pause move to take control of Chinese chip firm
Tech leakage concerns sparked controversial seizure by authorities in The Hague.
EU to present tariff exemption wishlist to top Trump envoys
Brussels will put forward request to U.S. officials to exempt goods like medical devices and alcohol from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Germany wakes up to US tech dominance
Paris and Berlin signal new united front on Europe’s technological independence.
EU strains to defend carbon levy as trade tensions engulf COP30
India, China and other countries are challenging CBAM in climate talks.
Mercosur momentum grows with fast-track vote on safeguards likely next week
Leaders of the chamber will pave the way for a fast-track vote, and derail a push to refer the Latin America trade deal to the EU’s top court, say officials.
Brexit reset gives Brussels and London a chance to squabble about cash … again
Rows over cash payments are already holding up negotiations, as deadlines loom.
China’s top envoy blasts EU climate goals and Trump’s ‘bad example’
Liu Zhenmin also defended Beijing’s own climate efforts as “very ambitious.”
Germany lifts restrictions on arms exports to Israel
Berlin ends a politically contentious halt, returning to case-by-case reviews after months of approving zero new licenses.
Trump’s ‘incredibly complex’ tariffs suck up CEO time and company resources
The proliferation of trade regulations and threat of intensified enforcement has driven many companies to spend what could add up to tens of millions of dollars to ensure they are not running afoul of Trump’s new duties.
Trump envoy warns Greece that US wants China out of Piraeus port
“I think there’s ways around it, that something could be worked out,” suggests ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle.
In Brussels, the far right can no longer be ignored
EU conservatives working with the far right have signed the death warrant of the cordon sanitaire.
Baltics ask to weaken global tax deal after Trump’s dropout
Estonia’s finance minister has asked for an exemption from new rules over fears they will damage competitiveness.
EU conservatives vote with far right to approve cuts to green rules
The outcome highlights the EPP’s willingness to abandon its traditional centrist coalition allies.
Brussels wants to end tax exemption on cheap parcels from early 2026
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič calls to bring forward change by two years to deal with flood of packages.
Far right cheers as von der Leyen’s party abandons centrist coalition over green rules
It marks a dramatic departure from previous EU norms, where centrist groups refused to collaborate with the far right.
EU Parliament throws up last-minute hurdle to Mercosur deal
A negative court opinion on the trade pact would put the EU executive in an impossible spot, given how fraught the issue is across the bloc.
UK scores Brexit win as EU fast-tracks electricity trading talks
The breakthrough comes after days of wrangling in Brussels over the extent to which London might be expected to pay for access to the EU’s single market.
Chip scare sends Brussels back to the drawing board
As the U.S. and China weaponize valuable chip supplies, the EU is forced to admit it hasn’t yet found a solution.
Brussels deadlocked over how to handle Brexit Britain
Talks will continue into Wednesday as member states remain divided over the question of U.K. payments into EU budget funds.
Inside France’s charm offensive to host Europe’s new customs cops
Paris hopes its leading role fighting the flood of cheap goods from China will help it win the right to host the bloc’s new customs authority.
EU Parliament’s centrists scramble to cut far right out of green rules plan
The center-right European People’s Party is giving its coalition partners another shot, knowing that the far right is waiting in the wings.