Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs – European leaders were quick to condemn Donald Trump’s imposition of 20% duties on all EU exports to the US on Thursday but reiterated their plea to reach a negotiated deal with Washington just days before big new tariffs are slated to hit.
Tech – Silicon Valley might feel Europe’s wrath over the tariffs, at least if Paris gets its way. The French government pitched hitting back against digitial services – a key export for the US, the global home of Big Tech – as part of the EU’s retaliation.
Defence – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio put on a brave face at NATO headquarters in Brussels and tried to tamp down European concern that his boss, Donald Trump, might pull out of the alliance, dismissing such fears as “hysteria and hyperbole”.
Minerals – EU officials journeyed down the Silk Roads for a summit in Samarkand in hopes of unlocking some of Central Asia’s resource riches for trade and development at a two-day summit with leaders from the strategically and economically important Central Asian republics.
Across Europe
Hungary – Shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s jet touched down in Budapest, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, the Hungarian government moved to become the first EU country to pull out of the ICC.
Ukraine – Kyiv has been lobbying the European Commission hard to extend Ukraine’s temporary trade benefits with the EU, which are set to expire in June. But agricultural products have proved a major sticking point in the talks.
Slovakia – A controversial draft law to crack down on NGOs over alleged political influence and “lobbying” was approved by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s governing coalition on Thursday.
Germany – After Trump’s past suggestions that European LNG customers might buy their way out of tariffs failed to materialise, some in Berlin are debating whether to keep investing further in American LNG as an energy replacement for Russian gas. | 