Who handles trade in the EU? The US isnโt sure.
Even after several visits by EU officials to Washington to discuss trade, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he doesnโt know who to talk to on the Brussels side to hash out a deal.
Trade war
Trump returns to his happy place on stage as poll numbers sink
The president lashed out at critics and celebrated the first 100 days of his second term in office.
Porsche and Volvo profits sink as industry reels from Trump tariffs
Carmakers have cut or withdrawn guidance for this year as full impact of trade war remains unclear
US declaration of world trade war tests resolve of WTO members
Director-general of the multilateral institution says challenge could be beneficial, but others warn of looming โchaosโ
EU faces trade war on many fronts
Challenges include achieving unity among member states on trade pacts and its negotiating stance with the US
Macronโs office rules out reviving EU-US free trade deal for now
“Before aiming for a free trade deal with the U.S., our first demand is that they withdraw their tariffs,” says French official.
Trudeau disappeared during Canadaโs election โ and his party was thrilled
His replacement, Liberal Leader Mark Carney, remotivated the base in an election campaign that was turned upside down by Donald Trump.
India blinks on visas to pave way for UK trade deal
The new rules will lead to around 100 new visas for Indian workers each year, a U.K. official told POLITICO.
Foreign companies in China face double hit from trade war
Many manufacturers are exposed to paying tariffs on imports as well as exports
Swiss franc surge sparks bets on return to negative interest rates
Switzerlandโs currency has soared as investors seek a haven from US President Donald Trumpโs trade war
Von der Leyen, Trump to meet after brief interaction at popeโs funeral
The two chatted on the margins of the memorial for Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday.
Sacraments and side-chats: Popeโs funeral overshadowed by Trump dealmakingย
Emotional tributes to the popular Pope Francis came amid a diplomatic scramble to meet with the U.S. president.
Trumpโs fixation on a tariff battle win against China could cost him the trade war
Beijing is going on an international charm campaign to coax other countries hit hard by โLiberation Dayโ tariffs to take on the U.S.
Von der Leyen hopes for Trump meeting at popeโs funeral
The U.S. president has snubbed the EU since coming to power earlier this year.
Trump talks tariffs. The EU talks free trade with the rest of the world.
With the United States throwing up the highest trade barriers in a century, Ursula von der Leyenโs European Commission is on a mission to do trade deals with everyone else.ย
Trump says heโs got his โown deadlineโ for Ukraine talks as tensions flare
The president, meeting with Norwegian leaders, is pressuring Kyiv and Moscow to make peace, but not equally.
Trump crashes the home stretch of Canadaโs election
With just days to go, โ51st stateโ talk ensures the president is front and center of the campaign.
After EU fines, Big Tech wants Trump to swoop in
Two big penalties overseas could be just what the industry needed to get the White Houseโs attention. Will Trump now try to roll back European tech rules?
White House debates lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets, Nord Stream
The debate pits Steve Witkoff against State Department and U.S. energy export proponents.
Brussels slaps fines on Apple and Meta under new digital regulation while striving not to politicize the move
The two American giants face fines of โฌ500 million and โฌ200 million under the Digital Markets Act. But the European Commission is proceeding cautiously to avoid upsetting Washington amid Donald Trump’s trade war.
Time was right for US big tech penalties, EU competition chief says
The European Commission has been accused of dragging its feet to avoid inflaming Donald Trump’s trade war.
France floats resurrecting doomed EU-US trade deal it used to oppose
Lombard said he hoped the two sides could avert a trade war with “a win-win” solution.
Socialists urge EU tech chief to deliver results in blockbuster US tech probes
European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen is facing growing pressure to wrap up investigations into TikTok, Meta and X.
Longtime US allies say they have ways to fight back against Trump, and theyโll use them
Plans are being drawn up and, as one EU diplomat said, โWeโll take decisions to protect ourselves.โ
EU fines Apple and Meta under digital rules amid trade spat
In the midst of a trade war with the US, the European Commission imposed two fines on the digital giants and closed two cases against them which fell under its digital regulation.
EU fines Apple โฌ500M and Meta โฌ200M for breaking Europeโs digital rules
The highly anticipated penalties are the first to be issued under the blocโs Digital Markets Act.
Eurozone business confidence plunges over US trade war
Optimism falls to lowest level since November 2022 while activity declines to close to stagnation
Winners and losers: The long game of US-EU trade conflicts
The current trade war between the US and the EU is nothing new. Five major disputes have pitted the two economic powers against one another. So how did they turn out?
Critical raw materials set to be a key lever in global trade war
As global trade tensions intensify, the increasing demand for elements from the lesser known corners of the periodic table is making them an increasingly important piece on the new geopolitical chess board.
Trumpโs trade war will have โprofound impactโ on UK economy, says Reeves
The U.K. chancellor is in Washington this week for talks with finance ministers including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Hermรจs to open new French factory as rival LVMH threatens Trump-inspired US move
The Birkin bag-maker doesn’t seem as put off by the threat of U.S. tariffs as its chief rival does.
IMF slashes world growth forecasts due to trade war
The multilateral lender thinks the U.S. will be hurt more than either Europe or China by Donald Trump’s tariff blitz.
IMF slashes UK growth forecasts as trade war hits economies
British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves arrives in Washington, DC today for the IMF’s spring meetings.
Trumpโs tariff war empowers Europeโs free traders
Even the EUโs most protectionist countries are realizing that they need new friends to trade with as their oldest ally goes rogue.
Von der Leyen: World is โlining upโ to work with Europe amid Trumpโs trade war
In exclusive comments to POLITICO, the European Commission president touted the EU as a safe haven in an unpredictable world.
Can France and Germanyโs new love-fest survive their lingering differences?
Paris and Berlin have been at loggerheads for years, but things are at last looking up.
How the US-China trade war took to TikTok and put Europe’s luxury fashion houses in the middle
The US and Chinaโs ongoing trade war has taken to TikTok and European fashion houses have found themselves sandwiched in the middle.
Trump may get a nuclear deal โ on Iranโs terms
Given Tehranโs weakened state and Washingtonโs eagerness for a deal, success is possible. However, it’s more likely to resemble the 2015 one Trump abandoned.
POLITICO at 10: The EU fights for its independence
A decade after we launched in Brussels, Europe’s place in the world is ever more uncertain. The battle for relevance will dominate the next 10 years.
Macron invited to UK state visit in May โ ahead of Trump
With a relaunch of Britain-EU relations on the horizon, the French leader’s visit will take place months before the U.S. president.
Industries hit a wall on relief from Trumpโs tariffs
The administration hasnโt set up a formal process for carve-outs from tariffs, keeping businesses uncertain about whether they may be able to secure relief.
MAGA base thinks Trumpโs trade war will bring โpot of gold.โ But theyโre only willing to wait for so long.
โIf the economy just completely tanks, then itโs Political Science 101 that the incumbent is in trouble,โ a North Carolina GOP consultant said.
Trump and Xi are locked in a standoff over direct trade negotiations
The presidentโs refusal to allow informal diplomatic outreach to bridge the gap between the White House and Beijing is slowing progress toward a possible deal.
Mark Carney unveils a plan to Trump-proof Canada
Liberals pledge offense with defense, a new NATO commitment and plans to bolster Canadaโs North.
Vatican progressives wary as Trumpโs hardline Catholic deputy visits Holy See
U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Rome comes after his stance on Catholic doctrine drew a rare rebuke from Pope Francis.
Worldโs cartoonists on this weekโs events
Drawing the top stories around the globe.
Meloni in the US: Beyond ‘speculation’ of an EU rift, Italy sets sights on a ‘zero tariff’ agreement
Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni struck an optimistic tone on a potential US-EU tariffs deal as the Italian prime minister launched a charm offensive at the White House. The two far-right leaders shared warm words, with Trump calling Meloni “fantastic….
A tale of ‘two far-right leaders’: Meloni and Trump’s relationship with democracy in the ‘grey zone’
Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni hit an optimistic note about a possible US-EU tariffs deal as the far-right Italian prime minister mounted a charm offensive at the White House. Casting herself as the only European who can de-escalate Trump’s trade war…
Why von der Leyenโs Big Tech tax plan is bluster
There are major hurdles to overcome for the EU to retaliate against U.S. digital companies.
Holiday special: Driving toward a trade war with China
โThis week, EU Confidential is on a spring break โ but with trade tensions between the U.S. and the rest of the world (China in particular) escalating, we thought it was the perfect moment to revisit a timely episode from our archives. As Trumpโs new trade war heats up, with triple-digit tariffs hitting Chinese goods [โฆ]
‘Incredulous’ at Trump’s trade war, the European Central Bank continues to lower interest rates
Interest rates were reduced from 2.5% to 2.25% on Thursday, marking the seventh consecutive cut. The ECB believes that the tariffs will be ‘negative’ for European growth.
Bernard Arnault: Blame Brussels if tariffs push LVMH to move production to US
The French billionaire says the EU needs to look out for the bloc’s manufacturers.
ECB cuts rates to 2.25% amid Trump trade war
Growth and inflation set to slow as central bankers prepare for tariff impact
ECB slashes rates again as desperation mounts over trade war impact
But the seventh consecutive cut may still not be enough to revive European economic fortunes.
China seeks reset with EU amid Trumpโs trade war
Beijing eyes rapprochement with Brussels to compensate for loss of US market but significant hurdles remain
Romanian presidential candidate fights her own party to stay in election race
Elena Lasconi wants her rivals to know sheโs not quitting, despite having been knifed by her former political allies.
US-China trade war risks dragging the world into recession, WTO head warns
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says battle could โforce countries to chooseโ between the two trading partners
French defense minister heads to US for Hegseth talks amid transatlantic tensions
Sรฉbastien Lecornu will brief his American counterpart about military planning on security guarantees for Ukraine.
European chips champion ASML warns ofย Trumpย tariff โuncertaintyโ
The Dutch company is key to Europeโs pitch to become technologically sovereign.
Amid Trumpโs tariff war, Germanyโs next leader keeps faith in free trade
Despite Donald Trumpโs lurch into protectionism and coercion, Friedrich Merz believes a transatlantic trade deal can still be done.
Inside Meloniโs plan to sweet-talk Trump on tariffs
EU leaders hope the Italian PM can convey their trade concerns to the U.S. president when she visits Washington.
The untold story of how Trump shocked Europe in a few short days
The world changed in February. Here’s how it looked to political insiders.
World wants more trade with Europe, von der Leyen says
Commission president says “Europe is “wide awake” to possibilities of “new world order.”
Why Keir Starmerโs British Steel sugar rush threatens a hangover
The British prime minister has big decisions to make after taking control of the U.K.’s last virgin steel-producing plant.
French PM Bayrou warns Trumpโs โhurricaneโ has made France vulnerable
French Prime Minister Franรงois Bayrou took an unusually stern tone against the United States and its leader on Tuesday, accusing Donald Trump of having unleashed a โhurricaneโ on the world by turning on traditional allies and by triggering a trade war…
Tariffs: Europe’s textile sector holds its breath
The escalation of the trade war between the United States and China could lead to an influx of Chinese products onto the European market.
EU will use Trump tariff freeze to push new fossil fuel deal
Officials are hoping that renewing an offer to bulk-buy American gas will help appease Washington.
Voters are the only ones who could stop Trumpโs tariff game
Overall prices and mortgage rates will inevitably rise because of the president’s tariff imposition. And when they do, maybe then his MAGA base will start to erode.
UK suspends import tariffs to ease strain for British businesses
Levies cut on 89 products to support domestic companies against Trumpโs trade war
UK suspends some tariffs to help firms cope with Trumpโs trade war
Suspension of import duties on a range of 89 products extends to mid-2027.
Musk goes where no other Trump adviser can: Publicly disagreeing with the president
The Trump adviser appears uninhibited in sharing his opinions โ and that seems to be just fine with the president.
Forget tariffs โ Beijing is already choking off US exports on the sly
China juices trade war with nontariff barriers targeting MAGA-friendly U.S. export sectors.
Britainโs MPs vote to take control of British Steelย
Dramatic intervention follows tense standoff with Chinese firm Jingye, British Steelโs owner.
Trump exempts phones, computers from his reciprocal tariffs
The move could be a win for tech companies like Apple that were facing potential price hikes.
Breton urges EU to flex its muscles on trade
The market volatility caused by Trump’s back and forth on tariffs shows the U.S. “is not in a strong position,” the former EU commissioner tells Le Soir.
โTrust is going downโ: Why Trump should fear the bond market
โThe market now believes that trade policy can change from minute to minute,โ said Chip Hughey, a managing director of fixed income securities at Truist.
Trump suggests possible exceptions to US tariffs
โThere could be a couple of exceptions for obvious reasons, but I would say 10 percent is a floor,โ Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
US trade war could divert Chinese goods to European markets
Following the trade wars initiated by US President Donald Trumpโs tariffs, China might seek to sell their products in Europe โ even if it means slashing prices. Some analysts say that this couldย undermine European industries, which are already struggl…
UK drivers brace for luxury British car price hike
A global trade war could mean higher prices for some models on both sides of the Atlantic
‘Fundamental change is afoot in European defence’: Political theorist Luuk van Middelaar
Our guest is someone who spends a lot of time thinking about Europe’s place in the world, and how it should adapt to the new global order of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. We speak to Dutch political theorist and historian Luuk van Midde…
Britain plots state control of a flailing steelmaker. Hereโs why.
U.K. lawmakers are set to debate emergency legislation that would give ministers power to direct the Chinese-owned Scunthorpe site.
Can the EU really ramp up imports of US energy as Trump demands? – Analysis
Amid the chaotic lunges, feints and ripostes of his incipient trade war, Donald Trump has refloated the idea that Europe could close its trade deficit with the US by dramatically increasing imports of US energy.
European brewers left bitter as US-tariffs stay on tap
The United States ranks as the second most significant export market for European brewers, both in terms of value and volume.ย
Von der Leyen ready to hit tech and services in US-EU trade war
The president of the European Commission has indicated in an interview that she is ready to use the anti-coercion tool that would allow the EU to hit US services hard.
Xi wants EU-China tag team to resist Trumpโs trade onslaught
Chinese leader met Spanish PM Pedro Sรกnchez, who also promoted closer ties with Beijing.
Markets slide further amid fears of escalating trade war between China and US
European markets slip into red after China ups ante by increasing retaliatory tariffs on US goods to 125%Business live โ latest updatesStock markets slid further on Friday amid growing fears of an escalating trade war between the worldโs two biggest ec…
Hawks v doves: How EU member states are facing off amid US trade war
During the 90-day pause in transatlantic trade tensions, the EU is aiming to refine its strategy for addressing US tariffs, while hoping to enter into negotiations with Washington. However, the bloc remains divided between hawks and doves on how best t…
China ramps up US tariffs to 125 percent in new salvo against Trump
The White House risks becoming a historical “joke,” Beijing warns.
Macron says Trump tariff suspension is โfragileโ
French president says the door is open for negotiations, but Europe must still be ready to defend itself.
Trump blinks on tariffs. Can Europe exhale?
A tariff storm was brewing โ and then, just like that, the forecast changed. Donald Trump shocked everyone by pausing his planned tariffs for 90 days (for all countries except China), throwing global markets a lifeline and leaving the EU wondering what game heโs playing. In this episode of EU Confidential, host Sarah Wheaton unpacks [โฆ]
Britain rekindles old flames as trade war simmers
British officials are on a diplomatic charm offensive to shore up trade ties โ but securing meaningful deals will take more than just good will from the U.K. side.
EU channels inner โBuddhaโ as it reels from White House shocks
Finance ministers gathering in Warsaw will discuss tariffs and rearmament.
EU to Trump on tariffs: Weโll retaliate when weโre ready, not when you tweet
Brussels suspended its countermeasures against the U.S. presidentโs steel and aluminum tariffs before they even took effect. Now the two sides have 90 days to do a deal.
Trump tariffs: What just happened โ and whatโs Europeโs gameplan?
It was a week when penguins, bonds, the new German coalition, Louisiana soybeans, fossil fuels, the EU’s Digital Markets Act, France’s creaking politics and American bourbon all became one news story. POLITICO explains what got us all yippy.
Donโt be a panican
The trade war has begun. But it’s also on hold … Maybe it’s already over?
EU suspends retaliatory 25% tariffs on US goods after Trump U-turn
โWe want to give negotiations a chance,โ says Ursula von der Leyen in announcement of 90-day pauseEurope live โ latest updatesThe EU has suspended its retaliatory 25% tariffs on US goods for 90 days after Donald Trumpโs dramatic climbdown in his trade …
EU weighs 90-day pause of its response to Trumpโs metals duties
Delay to collecting tariffs on โฌ21 billion in U.S. exports would buy time to negotiate a deal with the Donald Trump administration.
Trump tariff pause brings relief for global stock markets
Asian and European markets rise amid signs trade war may not be as damaging to global economy as fearedBusiness live โ latest updatesDonald Trumpโs surprise decision to pause the hefty tariffs he had just imposed on dozens of countries brought relief f…
Von der Leyen welcomes Trumpโs tariff U-turn
Europe exhales as U.S. president hits pause button on most severe tariff regime.
How the US-China trade war will do โenormous damageโ to the world
In a dramatic twist, President Trump announced an abrupt reversal of the tariff policy that had spooked the markets and threatened to upend world trade. While many trading partners have been given a temporary reprieve, Washingtonโs tit for tat with Beijing has reached new heights. Where does it leave the credibility of the Trump administration? [โฆ]