15 h. ago Any trade deal with US must be based on ‘respect not threats’, says EU commissioner

Maroš Šefčovič’s remarks come after pace of talks prompted Trump to propose 50% tariff on goods from blocThe European Union’s trade chief has struck a defiant tone after Donald Trump threatened to place a 50% tariff on all goods from the bloc, saying any potential trade deal between Brussels and Washington must be based on “respect not threats”.The US president made his statement after voicing frustration with the pace of progress on a trade agreement with the EU. The new rates would come into effect from 1 June. Continue reading...

Events

33 h. ago Badenoch urges Prime Minister to visit fishermen affected by EU trade deal

The Conservative leader visited Bridlington in East Yorkshire on Friday and met fishermen from the town.

Politics

37 h. ago Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms major prisoner swap with Russia – Europe live

The first stage of a major prison swap between Ukraine and Russia has taken place in Turkey, with 390 people released todayFor more coverage of Trump’s tariffs threats – which also include a warning that Apple must pay a 25% tariff unless it manufactures its iPhones in the US – follow our business live blog here:US president Donald Trump has just called the EU “very difficult to deal with,” lamenting the bloc’s “powerful Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more” (original capitalisation!).“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. Continue reading...

Events

37 h. ago In Ukraine, I saw Trump’s ‘peace deal’ wouldn’t just trade away land – but lives, memories and homes | Timothy Garton Ash

Ukrainians I met in Kyiv and Lviv were grimly realistic about the end of the war. We should follow their exampleThe next time a breathless news anchor talks about the prospect of a war-ending “deal”, with Ukraine “ceding land for peace”, I want to sit them down with Adeline. In Lviv last week, Adeline showed me on her phone map her lost home in Russian-occupied Nova Kakhovka, just across the Dnipro River from the Ukrainian-liberated territory around Kherson. Look, she said, with tears welling up in her eyes, here on this satellite snapshot you can see the ecological disaster that followed Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka dam in 2023. And here’s the place where she dreamed of setting up a small art gallery. “Why should I give up on my home?” she cried. Why indeed.The territory occupied by Russia is the size of Portugal and Slovenia combined. It’s difficult to get accurate figures, but perhaps some 5 million people live there, while at least another 2 million refugees from those t...

Politics

37 h. ago UK should get rid of ‘unsightly windmills’ and drill for North Sea oil – Trump

The US President was writing about the effects of the trade deal with the UK on his social media platform.

Politics

42 h. ago Starmer and Swinney meet with both still working out the relationship 'reset'

The Council of Nations and Regions will meet in London on Friday

Politics

56 h. ago Violent Israeli settlers under UK sanctions join illegal West Bank outpost

Exclusive: Neria Ben Pazi and Zohar Sabah witnessed visiting base set up to drive Palestinians from homes• Middle East crisis live – latest updatesTwo violent Israeli settlers on whom sanctions were imposed by the UK government this week have joined a campaign to drive Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank village of Mughayyir al-Deir.Neria Ben Pazi’s organisation, Neria’s Farm, had sanctions imposed by London on Tuesday, as the UK suspended negotiations on a new free-trade deal with Israel over its refusal to allow aid into Gaza and cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago UK politics live: Rayner ‘urged Reeves’ to raise taxes on wealthy pensioners in secret memo

The chancellor has been adamant she will not turn to tax rises to fund the government’s policies

Economics

3 d. ago UK politics live: Reeves defends ‘necessary’ winter fuel payment cuts amid speculation over U

Senior government figures are in talks about whether to U-turn on the chancellor’s winter fuel cuts within weeks

Politics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Starmer vows EU deal will end ‘huge’ passport queues and Farage misses Brexit reset debate

Sir Keir Starmer pledged that his trade deal with the EU would ‘cut the price of the weekly shop’ and provide stability for the fishing industry

Politics

4 d. ago UK suspends trade talks with Israel and attacks ‘repellent’ extremism

Foreign secretary, David Lammy, condemns blocking of aid trucks and calls by Israeli ministers to ‘purify Gaza’Middle East crisis – live updatesUK-Israeli relations have plunged to their worst state for decades after the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, suspended negotiations over a new free trade deal, saying Israel’s cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians were repellent, monstrous and extremist.He also said wider talks about a future bilateral strategic roadmap with Israel were being reviewed. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago UK suspends trade talks with Israel and attacks ‘repellant’ extremism

Foreign secretary, David Lammy, condemns blocking of aid trucks and calls by Israeli ministers to ‘purify Gaza’Middle East crisis – live updatesUK-Israeli relations have plunged to their worst state for decades after the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, suspended negotiations over a new free trade deal, saying Israel’s cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians were repellant, monstrous and extremist.He also said wider talks about a future bilateral strategic roadmap with Israel were also being reviewed. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Starmer vows EU deal will end ‘huge’ passport queues in defence of ‘win

Sir Keir Starmer pledged that his trade deal with the EU would ‘cut the price of the weekly shop’ and provide stability for the fishing industry

Politics

4 d. ago Wrong to call EU UK 'Brexit reset' trade deal a 'surrender', SNP's Stephen Flynn says

The Prime Minister updated MPs on the details of the EU UK ‘reset’ deal on Tuesday

Economics

4 d. ago ‘No downside’ for fishing industry in EU deal, insists Environment Secretary

Steve Reed defended the trade agreement as a ‘reasonably good deal’ for the sector.

Economics

4 d. ago Reeves eyes Gulf trade pact as ‘next deal,’ Bank of England’s Pill says pace of interest rate cuts ‘too rapid’ – business live

China and Australia cut interest rates; Shell faces protests calling for clean-up in Niger DeltaHere’s our full story on Greggs.Sales at Greggs have picked up after the UK’s biggest bakery chain branched out into iced drinks, pizza boxes and a macaroni cheese that has gone viral on social media.These are important issues and we respect the right of people to express their view. But for many years the vast majority of spills in the Niger Delta have been caused by third parties acting unlawfully, such as oil thieves who drill holes in pipelines, or saboteurs.These challenges are managed by a joint venture which Shell’s former Nigerian subsidiary, SPDC, operated, cleaning up every spill from the joint venture’s facilities. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves says Britain is targeting Gulf trade deal with six countries next as she claims Labour's growth push IS working

She told the BBC the agreement would be the Government's 'next deal' as it looks to continue to boost post-Brexit trade ties.

Economics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Minister gives verdict on rejoining EU after ‘win

Industry minister said economic benefits would outweigh red tape costs of EU reset deal

Politics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Reeves eyes fresh trade deal after striking EU Brexit reset pact

The chancellor is hoping an agreement can be secured with countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Politics

4 d. ago 'Humiliated' Trump will let Putin off the hook on Ukraine to get Russia trade deal, says Ben Wallace

The Former Defence Secretary made the prediction after a two-hour phone call between the US president and Russian leader

Politics