Page 4 - European Union

China rejects Trump's criticism, says US and EU also trade with Russia

Dismissing US President Donald Trump's criticism that India and China are the "primary funders" of the Ukraine war through purchases of Russian oil, Beijing on Wednesday pointed out that America and the European Union are also engaging in trade with Moscow. Addressing a media briefing here, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned that Beijing will take countermeasures to safeguard its interests if its companies' normal trade with Russia is obstructed, as he rejected Trump's criticism. An overwhelming number of countries, including the US and EU, are engaging in trade with Russia, he said, reminding the American leader that Washington too is indulging in trade with Moscow. Chinese and Russian companies' normal exchanges and cooperation are in line with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and market principles, Guo said, adding that Beijing's actions are not targeted against any third party and "should not be interfered with and influenced". He also reiterated th

EU looks east: Why India must seize the moment to clinch its FTA deal

The European Union has shown flexibility in its FTA policy. India must capitalise

EU questions Apple, Google and Microsoft on steps to curb financial scams

The EU is increasing its regulatory scrutiny of major US technology companies via the Digital Services Act

EU to create Palestinian donor group, financial instrument to rebuild Gaza

Calling for an end to violence, which has claimed the lives of at least 65,283 people in Gaza, Ursula von der Leyen said that the only realistic peace plan is based on the solution of two states

Jaishankar joins EU foreign ministers in New York, discusses Ukraine, Gaza

In a press remark following the meeting, Kallas underscored the importance of partnerships with India, Brazil, and Mexico in protecting the rules-based international order

India has not significantly advanced its CBAM preparedness, says GTRI

With just 100 days left for the European Union to impose a carbon tax on several products, including metals, the government and the Indian exporters both have not yet taken significant steps to address this barrier, think tank GTRI said on Sunday. Indian exporters of steel and aluminum are staring at a fresh cost shock as the European Union (EU) begins collecting its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) levy from January 1, 2026. The CBAM Regulation notified in May 2023, will initially cover iron and steel, aluminum, cement, electricity, hydrogen, and fertilisers. Over the next few years, the EU plans to extend CBAM to cover all major industrial products. It is designed to equalise carbon costs between EU-made and imported goods. From January 2026, the EU will charge a carbon tariff on selected imports, using the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) price and adjusting for any carbon price already paid in the exporting country. "Despite having a two-year transition period since

EU to stop Russian LNG imports, targets crypto in 19th sanctions package

The sanctions come days after United States President Donald Trump urged Nato nations to halt oil purchases from Moscow and impose penalties on countries continuing energy trade with Russia

After Trump pressure, EU aims to bring forward Russian LNG import ban

Beyond LNG, or liquefied natural gas, the proposed sanctions would also target more of Russia's shadow tanker fleet and cryptocurrency

EU looks to accelerate ban on Russian LNG in new sanctions package

The new push follows a call between European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday

EU needs deals with India, others to reduce US dependency: Leyen

'We are in talks with South Africa, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and others, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said

EU unveils new agenda for India, but energy ties with Russia cast shadow

The European Union on Wednesday unveiled a new strategic agenda to ramp up its engagement with New Delhi in several key sectors such as defence, trade and technology even as the 27-nation bloc's foreign and security policy chief Kaja Kallas said India's military exercises and its purchase of Russian oil "stand in the way of closer ties". The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of shifting geopolitical realities and that it is imperative for the two sides to strengthen economic growth and security. Hours after the 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda' was unveiled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to finalise the much-awaited India-EU free trade deal by the year-end. The top EU leader dialled Modi to greet him on his birthday. "Now is the time to double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU-?India strategy, w

'Hoped for more progress' in talks with India, says EU trade chief

The EU's key interests include cars, wines and spirits, and agriculture -- areas considered sensitive by India, and are still under negotiation

EU launches new strategic agenda to deepen defence, trade ties with India

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday unveiled a new strategic agenda to significantly ramp up its engagement with India in a range of key areas such as defence, trade and energy, and to jointly tackle major global challenges. The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of the shifting geopolitical realities and that it is prudent for the two sides to strengthen economic growth and security. The 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda' marks a significant milestone in relations between the two sides as it aims to "deepen, broaden, and better coordinate" bilateral cooperation, enhance prosperity and security for both partners and help tackle major global challenges, it said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Now is the time to focus on reliable partners and double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values." "With our new EU-?India strategy, we are taking our relationship to the next level,"

EU Commission moves to suspend Israeli trade benefits over Gaza conflict

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also proposed a package of sanctions on two Israeli ministers, as well as "violent" Israeli settlers and 10 senior members of Palestinian militant group Hamas

EU eyes deeper partnership with India despite concerns over Moscow ties

The European Union and India are in the final stages of negotiating a free trade agreement both sides aim to conclude by the end of the year

Govt taps Uco Bank to manage payments for Nayara Energy after EU sanctions

The government has tasked Uco Bank with processing Nayara Energy's payments after EU sanctions cut the refiner off from domestic and global lenders

Sanctions leave Nayara struggling to secure non-Russian crude supplies

Nayara Energy - part-owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft PJSC and blacklisted by the European Union in July - is facing difficulties in securing non-Russian crude supplies for a second month in a row as western shipping companies refused to ferry oil for it, ship tracking data showed. Nayara, which has already cut down the run rate of its 4,00,000 barrels a day oil refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat, remains heavily reliant on Russian barrels since August. The company got about 2,42,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil, possibly in ships arranged by Moscow, in August, and another 3,32,000 bpd in the first half of September, preliminary data by global trade analytics firm Kpler showed. It did not get any crude oil, which is converted into fuels like petrol and diesel at the refinery, from other key sources, such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia, in both August and September. Iraq and Saudi Arabia had supplied about 1,20,000 bpd of crude to Nayara in July. "Nayara's situation remains challeng

Exploring ways to boost cooperation in defence, manufacturing with EU: Govt

India and the EU are also exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in defence industry and manufacturing, the Ministry of External Affairs said

EU could quit Russian gas in a year with US LNG, says energy chief

The US is ramping up pressure on Europe to cut off energy revenue to Moscow, seeking to end the war in Ukraine. As Russia's most lucrative export, its fuel revenue has helped fund the war

EU unlikely to impose 100% tariffs on India on Trump's request; here's why

The European Union treats tariffs and sanctions differently and considers imposing such tariffs as a risky move, and supports targeting specific entities with sanctions