Page 18 - European Union

Trump ally getting elected in Poland could alter EU and Ukraine policies

Poland has elected Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and staunch nationalist, as its next president in a closely watched vote that signals a resurgence of right-wing populism in the heart of Europe. Nawrocki, who is set to take office on Aug 6, is expected to shape the country's domestic and foreign policy in ways that could strain ties with Brussels while aligning the Central European nation of nearly 38 million people more closely with the administration of President Donald Trump in the United States. Here are some key takeaways: Conservative populism on the rise Nawrocki's victory underscores the enduring appeal of nationalist rhetoric among about half of the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, and its deep social divisions. The 42-year-old historian who had no previous political experience built his campaign on patriotic themes, traditional Catholic values, and a vow to defend Poland's sovereignty against the EU and larger European nations li

EU threatens countermeasures over Trump's steel, aluminium tariffs hike

The European Commission said it "strongly" regrets Trump's plan to increase tariffs, adding it undermines ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated solution

Biz collaborations for a circular economy via FTA to boost EU-India ties

An EU official said circular economy projects under the FTA will unlock value and foster deeper collaboration between India and the EU through sustainable development

European businesses report record-low optimism in China: Survey

EU Chamber of Commerce survey shows just 12 per cent of European firms in China optimistic about profitability, reflecting deepening concerns over trade tensions

EU countries agree to exempt most firms from carbon border tariff

Their approval makes it highly likely that the EU will exempt most of the 200,000 importers who were initially set to face the world's first carbon border tariff, due to take effect next year

EU warns fashion brand Shein over consumer law breach, threatens penalty

Shein faces EU warning over consumer law violations and potential fines, while its return to India sees poor response as app downloads drop sharply. Regulators highlight concerns over unsafe products

Trump to delay 50% tariffs on EU until July 9 after call with von der Leyen

The EU had been slated for a 20 per cent tariff under those reciprocal rates announced in April, and a temporary pause took the rate down to 10 per cent through July 9

EU weighs cutting 20 lenders from SWIFT under new Russia sanctions

A decision on timing of potential restrictions has yet to be taken

US Prez Trump threatens to impose 50% tariff on EU nations from June 1

Trump said in comments on social media that the EU was "very difficult to deal with" and "our discussions with them are going nowhere.''

India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally: EAM Jaishankar in Germany

EAM S Jaishankar confirms India's bilateral stance on Pakistan, highlights zero tolerance for terrorism, and deepens strategic cooperation with Germany during his Europe visit

Trump pressures EU for unilateral tariff cuts as trade talks stumble

As the deadline for the 90-day tariff pause grows near, the Donald Trump administration and European Union fail to find consensus in trade talks

9 EU nations push for human rights reinterpretation to ease deportations

Leaders of 9 European Union countries say they want a reinterpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in order to better tackle irregular migration to the continent and increase deportations. The leaders said in an open letter made public in Rome on Thursday that interpretations of the rights convention by the European Court of Human Rights have limited the flexibility of national governments and prevented them from expelling migrants who commit crimes. The letter was signed by leaders of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The court's interpretation of the convention in "cases concerning the expulsion of criminal foreign nationals" has protected the wrong people and placed too many limits on deciding who can be expelled, the letter said. The European Court of Human Rights handles complaints against the 46-member states of the Council of Europe, under the European Convention on Human Rights, including many cases .

BYD supasses Tesla in Europe for the first time with 169% surge in sales

Until recently, BYD and its Chinese peers had prioritized selling fully electric cars in Europe, spurred by the region's ambitious targets to lower tailpipe emissions and transition the industry

India, EU looking for early harvest trade pact by July: Govt official

Negotiations for a proposed trade pact between India and the 27-nation European Union are progressing at a faster pace and both the sides are looking at concluding the talks for an early harvest trade agreement by July this year, a government official said on Wednesday. The early harvest or an interim trade agreement would include issues such as intellectual property rights (IPRs), government procurement, tariff, and non-tariff barriers, the official said. An Indian official team from the commerce ministry is visiting Brussels this week for the next round of negotiations on the trade agreement with the European Union (EU). This visit comes in the backdrop of recently-concluded eleventh round of talks between chief negotiators of both the sides on May 16 here in the national capital. "We are looking for an early harvest. We are trying to do it as early as possible...targeting by July for early harvest," the official added. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two .

EU to lift sanctions on Syria but retain curbs on former Assad regime

The European Union will lift sanctions on Syria's economy but keep those in place targeting the former Assad regime, the EU's top diplomat announced Tuesday. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas spoke after chairing a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc. She said the decision was designed to avert poverty and radicalism in the country after more than a decade of civil war sent millions fleeing, including to Europe. The sanctions are conditional and could be resumed if the new government of Ahmad al-Sharaa doesn't keep the peace, Kallas said. Saving lives must be our top priority on Syria," she said. The announcement came a week after US President Donald Trump's meeting with al-Sharaa and his announcement that the US would ease sanctions on Syria. Lifting sanctions could bring much-needed investment to Syria, which needs tens of billions of dollars to restore its battered infrastructure. An insurgency late last year unseated former Syrian President Bashar Assad and end

UK, EU seal post-Brexit 'reset' deal to boost trade, security ties

UK and EU strike a landmark deal to ease post-Brexit trade barriers, enhance security ties, and launch youth mobility plans amid changing global dynamics and reduced US engagement in Europe

UK, EU to hold first post-Brexit summit in London to deepen relations

The UK and the European Union will meet in London on Monday to discuss closer ties in their first official summit since Brexit. The meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is intended to pave the way toward a new agreement between both sides. There is hope that a deal could improve the British economy, which has been hit by a drop in EU trade caused by increased costs and red tape after the United Kingdom left the bloc in 2020. Resetting relations Since becoming prime minister in July, Starmer has sought to reset relations with the EU, following years of tensions in the wake of the UK's Brexit referendum on June 23, 2016. Post-Brexit relations have been governed by a trade agreement negotiated by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Starmer thinks that can be improved in a way that boosts trade and bolsters security. It's unclear what will be announced at the summit, but Starmer said Sunday t

Italy's Meloni scores diplomatic win by bringing US, EU to Rome summit

Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni hosted a key trilateral meeting in Rome on Sunday, bringing US Vice President JD Vance and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the same table, hoping to usher in what she said could be a new beginning. It was a diplomatic score for Meloni, who has been touted as a potential bridge-builder with the Trump administration, but so far had been unable to provide decisive breakthroughs amid increasingly strained relations with her main European partners. I am very proud to host two of the leaders of the EU and the US to start a dialogue, Meloni told the press ahead of the trilateral meeting, while sitting at a round table with her counterparts. The Italian premier recalled that she had proposed such an initiative a month earlier in the US capital when she met President Donald Trump at the White House. I hope that today can be a first meeting and a new beginning, Meloni said, noting that for trade matters the competence belonged to the EU Commissi

India, EU conclude another round of FTA talks; deal likely in two phases

India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here and agreed to reach a deal in two phases, according to an official. "The 11th round of talks concluded on May 16," the official said. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two phases on account of the uncertain global trade environment, particularly due to the US tariff actions under President Donald Trump. The talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, and investment. India has followed the practice of negotiating trade pacts in two phases with Australia. It is following a similar approach to the US. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal last month stated, "If some of the issues which may not be very core to the trade, maybe taking some more time, then it is better to focus on core trade issues. So, we say that first things first...We are also discussing with the EU what can be the early harvest of the fir

Microsoft offers cheaper Office without teams to address EU concerns

The European Commission said it would seek feedback from rivals and customers before deciding whether to accept the offer. Reuters was the first to report the proposal earlier this week