29 h. ago EU ready for deal with US but prepared for possibility of no agreement, von der Leyen says – Europe live

Europe will defend its interests in negotiations with US over trade, European Commission president says in ItalyDue to the climate emergency, Italian seas have reached temperatures above 20C even at depths of 40 metres, according to a report released on Wednesday by Greenpeace. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago EU ready for trade deal with US but prepared to fail, says von der Leyen

European Commission president says ‘all options on the table’ as Trump threatens 50% steel tariffs The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has said the EU is ready for a trade deal with Donald Trump, but “all options remain on the table”.Von der Leyen said she was analysing the latest US negotiating document received on Thursday. “Our message today is clear, we are ready for a deal,” she told reporters, after briefing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels. “At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached and we will defend the European interest as needed. In short, all options remain on the table.” Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago EU leaders mull US tariff response as deadline looms over Trump’s 50% threat

European Commission expects to hear on Thursday whether leaders want quick trade deal or tough reactionEuropean leaders will tell the European Commission later on Thursday whether they want a quick trade deal with the US, or favour a tough response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats.The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to update EU leaders over dinner on Thursday on trade talks with the US ahead of a looming 9 July deadline. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Canada and EU sign defense pact amid strained US relations and global instability

Amid Trump’s disrespect of old allies, EU and Canada vow more support for Ukraine and joint work on climate crisisCanada has signed a wide-ranging defence pact with the EU, as Donald Trump and global instability prompt traditional US allies to deepen their alliances.Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Monday joined European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and head of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels, where they signed a security and defence partnership, pledged more support for Ukraine, as well as joint work on issues from the climate crisis to artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Canada and EU sign defence pact amid strained US relations and global instability

Amid Trump’s disrespect of old allies, EU and Canada vow more support for Ukraine and joint work on climate crisisCanada has signed a wide-ranging defence pact with the EU, as Donald Trump and global instability prompt traditional US allies to deepen their alliances.Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Monday joined European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and head of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels, where they signed a security and defence partnership, pledged more support for Ukraine, as well as joint work on issues from the climate crisis to artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Europe should be standing up to Trump and Putin – instead it is mirroring them | Alberto Alemanno

Public opinion is clamouring for closer EU cooperation. The last thing we need is Ursula von der Leyen pandering to the far rightDonald Trump’s “America First” policies are undermining decades of transatlantic cooperation just as Putin’s Russia destabilises Europe with direct military aggression. But these twin shocks have unintentionally accomplished something the EU institutions never could. They have made European integration feel not just important, but existential – a matter of democratic survival – for ordinary citizens.From Helsinki to Lisbon, people are suddenly experiencing the same existential unease. Trade wars, defence threats and military aggression don’t respect borders. More and more Europeans now recognise that their small, individual nations cannot withstand simultaneous pressure from both Washington and Moscow. They find themselves caught between economic coercion and military intimidation.Alberto Alemanno is the Jean Monnet professor of EU law at HEC Paris and the...

Politics

2 w. ago Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU

Anthony Albanese confirms country could sign on to deal as he arrives in Calgary for G7 summitAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union, with the prime minister preparing to discuss plans for enhanced security cooperation at this week’s G7 summit in Canada.Amid the deteriorating international security landscape, Anthony Albanese will use the talks with EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, António Costa, in Alberta to explore a security and defence partnership, proposed at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome last month.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics