Page 2 - European Commission

EU chief hails Trump's tariff pause, stays quiet on bloc's retaliatory plan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday welcomed President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily halt most US tariffs, but she did not say whether the European Union intends to press ahead with its own retaliatory measures. I have authorised a 90 day PAUSE, Trump said, after recognising the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs. Countries subject to the pause will now be tariffed at 10%. The EU's rate was 20%, but it was not entirely clear how the 27-nation bloc would be impacted. China was not included. Trump further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%. Von der Leyen described the halt on reciprocal tariffs as an important step towards stabilising the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Before Trump's announcement on Wednesday, EU member countries voted to approve retaliatory tariffs on $2

Apple set to avoid EU fine after changes to iPhone browser options

The EU decision will come amid tensions with US President Donald Trump who has threatened to slap tariffs against countries that levy fines against US companies

Countermeasures to Trump's tariffs will go into effect on April 1, says EU

The European Union on Wednesday announced retaliatory trade action after the Trump administration officially increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25%, with duties on industrial and agricultural products that will go into effect April 1. As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros (USD 28 billion), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. The commission manages trade and commercial conflicts on behalf of the 27 member countries. We will always remain open to negotiation. We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs, von der Leyen said. The commission also said that steel and aluminum products would be hit in return, but also textiles, leather goods, home appliances, house tools plastics and wood. Agricultural products will also be impacted including

Amid US-Ukraine tensions, Starlink's European rival sees shares soar 500%

Eutelsat has the infrastructure to expand its role in Ukraine, whose troops rely on Starlink for internet connectivity to operate drones, secure messaging, and real-time coordination

EU leaders back new defence spending after Trump hints at self-reliance

European Union leaders on Thursday backed new defence spending plans aimed at freeing up billions of euros for the continent's security after the Trump administration signalled that Europe would have to fend for itself in future. Facing the prospect that the United States might cut them adrift, EU leaders held emergency talks in Brussels to explore new ways to beef up their own security and ensure that Ukraine will still be protected. The 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their military spending. They also urged the European Commission to seek new ways to facilitate significant defence spending at national level in all Member States, a statement said. The EU's executive branch estimates that around 650 billion euros ($702 billion) could be freed up in this way. The leaders also took note of a commission offer of a loan package worth 150 billion euros ($162 billion) to buy new military equipment and invited EU ...

EU Commission proposes 800-billion-euro plan to boost defence capabilities

The 150 billion euros of new joint borrowing is to go towards building pan-European capability domains like air and missile defence

India, EU looking to seal FTA deal this year: EC Prez Von der Leyen

A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the largest deal of its kind anywhere in the world and both sides are looking at firming it up by this year, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday. In an address at a think-tank, the top leader of the 27-nation bloc also said that the EU is exploring a future security and defence pact with India in line with its partnerships with Japan and South Korea. Von der Leyen's comments came ahead of her wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This world is fraught with danger. But I believe this modern version of great power competition is an opportunity for Europe and India to reimagine their partnership," she said. "In many ways, the EU and India are uniquely placed to respond to this challenge together," she added. Von der Leyen said it is time to take the EU-India strategic partnership to next level. "This is not a time to place limits on our cooperation. Or to get stuck looking for ...

EU Commission prez, top Europe leadership to visit India from Feb 27-28

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen accompanied by the College of Commissioners will visit India next week, during which she is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU delegation said here on Friday. "The unprecedented visit, one of the first by the College of Commissioners early in the new mandate, highlights the strong momentum in EU-India relations," the Delegation of the European Union to India said in a statement. On February 27 and 28, President von der Leyen will visit New Delhi accompanied by the College of Commissioners, it said. "It follows President von der Leyen's announcement of a new strategic agenda with India to be presented this year at the EU-India Summit. The visit emphasises the importance of strengthening ties in key areas vital to the prosperity and security of both Europe and India," the statement said. During the visit, the College of Commissioners and the Indian government will hold a plenary ...

Trump's reciprocal tax plan sets off alarm bells amid global trade war buzz

The European Commission on Friday said the US's 'reciprocal' policy is a step in the wrong direction and will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade

EU to tighten checks on cheap products from sites like Temu, Shein

According to the Commission, 91 per cent of all ecommerce shipments into the EU valued under 150 euros last year came from China. In total 4.6 billion low-value shipments arrived in the EU last year

Piyush Goyal to travel to Brussels on Saturday for FTA talks with EU

Meeting to give 'political direction' to expedite India-EU FTA negotiations

Digital sovereignty, focus on data centres: Ten trends to watch in 2025

The year 2025 will also see corporations leveraging AI models to reduce their environmental footprint, more recourse to alternative funding sources for startups

Finland seizes Russian 'Shadow Fleet'-linked oil tanker over cable sabotage

Finland and European Union link undersea cable sabotages in the Baltic to Russian 'Shadow Fleet', announce sanctions

EU intensifies demand for Apple to open up iPhone features to rivals

The commission instructed Apple on Wednesday to rework the iOS operating system so that it's more compatible with smartwatches, earbuds, headsets and other devices from competitors

India-EU trade pact talks need political directions for meaningful deal

The proposed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the European Union (EU) need political directions to reach a commercially meaningful deal while understanding each other's sensitivities, an official statement said on Thursday. The pact came up for discussion during an interaction between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Ambassadors of the European Commission delegation. Goyal said that both sides are aiming for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial FTA. "The FTA negotiations, after 9 rounds of intense engagement, need political directions to arrive at a commercially meaningful deal while understanding the sensitivities of each other," the commerce and industry ministry said. The minister also noted that any sustainability discussions must appreciate the principle of 'Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR)' and implementation of such measures should take into account differing paths of development. These remarks

Google to tweak search results in Europe after rivals highlight low traffic

Under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), Google is prohibited from favouring its products and services on its platform

Amazon likely to face investigation under EU tech rules next year

The timing and decision on whether to go ahead with an investigation will be taken by incoming EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera in the coming months,

European Commission rejects minimum price offers from Chinese EV exporters

The Commission declined to give details of the offers, but said it had thoroughly reviewed them to see if they met World Trade Organization and EU anti-subsidy rules

China's commerce minister to visit Europe ahead of EV tariff vote

The announcement of Wang's Europe trip followed the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to China earlier this week where he unexpectedly said the EU should reconsider its position

Apple loses European Union top court fight over $14.4 bn Irish tax bill

"It's important to show European taxpayers that once in a while, tax justice can be done," Vestager told reporters in Brussels in response to questions on her Apple win