Brussels bubble – European People's Party (EPP) treasurer François-Xavier Bellamy described Le Pen’s conviction as a “very dark day for French democracy”, something that focused attention on the initial silence of his boss, EPP leader Manfred Weber, who remained mum about the Le Pen verdict.
Trade wars – Brussels spent the day bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump prepared to unveil a whole new slate of tariffs at a White House event dubbed (in Trumpian style) 'Liberation Day'. The EU has left its options (and timeline) for retaliation open, but made a final plea to avoid "inevitable pain" on "both sides of the Atlantic".
Health – Trump's expected stiff tariffs on EU-made wine, meanwhile, has both industry and health groups warning that discount booze could flood the European market in the short term, driving harmful drinking.
Defence – NATO countries have long been expecting a big strategic rethink of relations with Russia ahead of the next alliance summit in July, but the US has left allies dangling in the dark as Trump tries his own reset with Moscow.
Environment – The EU’s proposed rules on reducing microplastics pollution – already in the hands of the European Parliament and Council – are now under attack by the very institution that proposed them: the Commission.
Across Europe
France – What's next for Marine Le Pen's legal case as the far-right leader seeks to appeal her criminal conviction for embezzling EU funds?
Germany – Not every European carmaker is equally nervous about the Trump tariffs, as some have never managed to crack into the US market. But Germany's top carmakers are heavily involved in transatlantic trade and arguably more vulnerable in this global dispute.
Belgium – Concerns about prison conditions in Belgium prompted an Italian court to delay handing over a European Parliament staffer charged in Huawei’s alleged cash-for-influence scheme. | 