The Brief – May’s merry-go-round
Theresa May’s whistle-stop tour of three African capitals this week offered an insight into the UK’s post-Brexit trade priorities, but also hinted at the changing power dynamic in world trade.
View ArticleEU willing to agree on zero car tariffs with Trump
Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström confirmed on Thursday that the EU would be willing to reach a “reciprocal” agreement with the US to scrap car tariffs as part of a new deal, but she added that...
View ArticleMay’s African tour ends with ‘bicycle guy’ Johnson snub
Theresa May completed the final leg of a charm offensive tour of three sub-Saharan countries on Thursday (30 August), with her Kenyan host appearing to snub her leadership rival Boris Johnson.
View ArticleMacron proposes EU collective defence plan
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Europe adopts a form of collective defence on Thursday (30 August) as he strengthens calls for EU integration in the face of concerns over the United...
View ArticleGeert Wilders wins, Muslims lose in latest Prophet Mohammed cartoon furore
Geert Wilders is back in the headlines, thanks to a controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition, which has caused a furore in Pakistan. But the race for Europe's toughest anti-Muslim politician...
View ArticleHow to lower electricity prices in Europe
One important key to lowering electricity prices in the short-term are the grid utility fees. And digital solutions offer the most significant leverage to bring them down, writes Christian Chuboda.
View ArticleTrump rejects EU offer on auto tariffs, threatens to pull US out from WTO
President Donald Trump on Thursday (30 August) rejected as "not good enough" a European Union proposal scrapping tariffs on automobiles, a move which threatens to amplify a simmering trans-Atlantic...
View ArticleMerkel chooses Weber as candidate for EU top job
Angela Merkel has given her backing to fellow German conservative Manfred Weber's bid to front the centre-right's campaign in next year's European Parliament elections, several German newspapers...
View ArticleSpain PM Sánchez calls for Venezuelan migrant quotas
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday (30 August) that Latin America should adopt a "quota system" to better manage the Venezuelan migrant crisis.
View ArticleNo country offers ports to migrant ships, angering Italy
Italy demanded on Thursday (30 August) the EU find other ports to disembark migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, suggesting it would withhold support for the EU naval mission against people-smuggling...
View ArticleBorissov sacks three ministers following embarrassing road accident
A bus crash apparently caused by inadequate asphalt has exposed fraud and corruption in Bulgaria's road construction and prompted Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to abruptly sack three ministers on...
View ArticleTrans-Europe Express – Romania government gets help from Trump’s lawyer
Romania’s governing coalition is pressing on with plans to bring the judiciary under control, despite the massive protests just a few weeks ago. And leaders of the ruling parties got an unexpected...
View ArticleWeber to announce candidacy focusing on migration
Blessed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and backed by big national delegations, Germany’s CSU heavyweight Manfred Weber is expected to soon confirm his candidacy for the post of the new European Commission...
View ArticleStop the Clocks: EU to scrap daylight saving time
Daylight saving time across Europe will soon be a thing of the past, European Commission president Jean Claude-Junker announced on Friday (31), citing the 'will of the people' expressed in a recent...
View ArticleImpasse on migration clouds EU-Africa relations
The issue of how to control migration from Africa may have exorcised European leaders in recent years, but it could also derail the EU's main political agreement with the continent.
View ArticleEU ministers wary of Kosovo-Serbia border changes
EU ministers voiced concern on Friday (31 August) about talk of potential border changes between Kosovo and Serbia, warning that it could destabilise the Balkans, a region still simmering with ethnic...
View ArticleRaab: Brexit deal to come in mid-October
A deal on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union is "within reach" and will hopefully be announced by the European Council summit on 18 October, UK Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said on Friday...
View ArticleThe Brief – Eco-populism
When France’s environment minister Nicolas Hulot resigned this week, he cited the weight of the lobbying groups and the lack of support he got from other ministers in tackling environmental challenges....
View ArticleCommission scraps tariffs on Chinese solar panels
The European Commission decided on Friday (31 August) to eliminate anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese solar panels to protect users and importers’ interests and facilitate the achievement of EU’s ‘green’...
View ArticleJohnson: UK waving ‘white flag’ in Brexit talks
Former foreign secretary and Brexit hardliner Boris Johnson penned a renewed attack on Britain's government Monday, writing in the Daily Telegraph that the UK has "gone into battle with the white flag...
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