Page 2 - European Union

Europe is finally beginning to reinvent itself for a changing world

Europe is accelerating efforts to strengthen its economy through market integration, industrial support and tougher trade measures, while reducing reliance on US policy under Donald Trump

EU orders Meta to restore WhatsApp access for rival AI chatbots

European Union regulators on Tuesday ordered Meta Platforms to restore access to WhatsApp for rival AI chatbot makers until its antitrust investigation is complete. The bloc's executive Commission, which is the 27-nation EU's top antitrust and competition enforcer, said it was taking action to prevent harm to competition in the growing market for AI assistants before it's too late. The commission said it was imposing "interim measures" while it continues its investigation into WhatsApp's artificial intelligence policy over concerns the company is breaching EU law by blocking competitors from offering their AI assistants on the platform. Meta said it would appeal. "The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world can use the paid-for WhatsApp Business product for free," the company said in a statement. "This is regulatory overreach subsidised by the many European companies that pay." Brussels has been resorting to temporary orders after

Regulators refusing to engage: Apple delays Siri AI for iPhone users in EU

The company said the European Commission did not accept any of its suggestions over the past several months, and that as a result Siri AI will not be available in the EU as part of iOS 27 or iPadOS 27

Weekly policy watch: EU delegation visit, inflation and forex data in focus

India's policy calendar this week will be driven by a high-level EU visit, inflation data and key indicators on banking liquidity and external sector stability

Meta's AI training tool for employees may spark new EU privacy concerns

Meta is reportedly collecting detailed software usage data from US employees to train AI systems, a move that could raise GDPR-related concerns in Europe

European Union mulls temporary freeze on Russian crude oil price cap

The EU is weighing a freeze on its Russian oil price cap as the West Asia conflict drives crude prices sharply higher ahead of a July review

Why Switzerland's 10-million population cap is worrying executives

On June 14, Switzerland will vote on a plan to cap the population at 10 million, requiring a severe reduction in immigration

India's carbon market gathers pace as export markets raise cost of business

India's carbon market framework is moving towards implementation under the CCTS, but experts warn that verification gaps, weak penalties and limited sectoral coverage remain major concerns

Ukraine can be EU 'associate' member: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz has proposed an "associate member" status for Ukraine as an interim pathway towards full EU membership

PM Modi in Rome: Why India, Italy need to build a strategic future together

Rome increasingly understands that the future of European competitiveness, economic resilience and strategic diversification will depend upon trusted industrial partnerships beyond the Continent

'Beginning of a new journey': Swedish PM Kristersson on India-EU FTA

Kristersson also underlined the expected economic benefits of a free trade agreement, particularly for employment generation in Sweden

India-EU ties can bring stability in unstable world: EU Commission Prez

Von der Leyen also underlined the importance of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, saying it is paving the way for stronger collaboration in areas such as AI governance, semiconductors, etc

EU includes India in eligible list of countries for marine exports

The EU has added India to its updated list of countries eligible to export marine products, safeguarding seafood shipments to the bloc beyond September 2026

EU-India partnership now at totally new strategic level: European envoy

The European Union-India partnership is "limitless, ambitious and progressive" and both sides have elevated the relationship to a "totally new level" in both qualitative and strategic terms, EU Ambassador Herve Delphin has said. In an address at an event, the envoy also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "not an era of war" message "deeply resonates" with Europe's values and identity, and called the EU "fundamentally a peace project". Characterising the EU-India summit held three and a half months ago as a milestone, Delphin said the confluence of symbolism, substance and strategic significance resulted in "momentous outcomes". "We have placed our relationship to a totally new level, in qualitative and strategic terms. The EU-India partnership is limitless, ambitious and progressive," he said. "These achievements would not have been possible without the political conviction and trust shared by our leaders," the envoy said at the Europe Day celebrations on Friday night. Delp

EU has until July 4 to approve trade deal or face higher tariffs: Trump

President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4. The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks. "A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to gi

EU countries, lawmakers agree to dilute artificial intelligence rules

EU nations and lawmakers agreed to dilute and delay key AI Act provisions, easing compliance burdens amid concerns Europe is yielding to Big Tech pressure

India, EU discuss strategic ties; launch initiative to recycle EV batteries

India and the European Union also launched a joint initiative worth 15.2 million euros (around Rs 169 crore) to develop advanced recycling technologies for electric vehicle (EV) batteries

EU Blue Card: Czech Republic hikes salary threshold by 6.6% to Rs 3.38 lakh

The Czech Republic has increased the EU Blue Card salary threshold to 73,823 CZK as of May 1, 2026. Here's who will be affected

US troop cut underlines European defence responsibility: German minister

In response to heavy criticism from Washington over defence spending, European ‌Nato members, including Germany, have pledged to ‌take on more responsibility for their own ‌defence

Macron says EU's defence push aims to strengthen Nato, not replace it

The European Union's ongoing push to bolster its own defensive capabilities isn't intended to spawn an alternative to the NATO alliance but to answer a long-standing US call for the continent to take charge of its own security, the French president said Saturday. Emmanuel Macron said Europe mustn't act to weaken NATO, which connects the continent with its American ally. Instead, Europeans are now stepping up to meet Washington's demand made over the past decade "sometimes nicely, sometimes less nicely" to take care of their own security. "The lesson we must draw is, let us no longer be dependent," Macron said after talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "We Europeans must strengthen this European pillar of NATO, we must strengthen this Europe of defense - not against anyone, not as an alternative to anything." Mitsotakis echoed the French president, saying the US should be pleased that the EU is taking its own self-reliance seriously and investing more in its own ...