Trump Unveils 10% Tariff on all Imports to US and 20% on the EU
US President Donald Trump unveiled the much-anticipated “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs in a speech at the White House Rose Garden, imposing a minimum 10% tariff on all countries and additional levies on approximately 60 nations deemed the worst offenders. During his address, Trump displayed a chart listing the countries subject to higher tariffs, with China, the European Union, and Vietnam facing rates of 34%, 20%, and 46%, respectively. Other nations, including Japan, South Korea, India, Cambodia, and Taiwan, will be hit with import duties of 24%, 25%, 26%, 49%, and 32%, respectively. “2 April 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day we began to make America wealthy again," Trump declared. Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, but it isn't going to happen anymore.” Click here to read...
EU Preparing 'Further Countermeasures' to Protect its Interest, Von der Leyen says
The EU is "preparing for further countermeasures" to protect its interest, Ursula von der Leyen said after Donald Trump announced 20% levies on European goods, urging the US to "move from confrontation to negotiation". "We are already finalising a first package of countermeasures in response to tariffs on steel. And we are now preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail," the Commission president said. "We will also be watching closely what indirect effects these tariffs could have, because we cannot absorb global overcapacity nor will we accept dumping on our market," she added. The bloc, von der Leyen said earlier that week an address to the European Parliament, holds a lot of cards: from trade to technology to the size of our market" and would "approach these negotiations from a position of strength". "But I also want to be clear: Reaching for tariffs as your first and last tool will not fix it," she said, adding: "Let's move from confrontation to negotiation." Click here to read...
Macron Lashes Out Against Trump's 'Brutal' Tariffs, Calls for a Pause in Investment
Emmanuel Macron has lashed out against Donald Trump's decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on virtually every country, calling the move "brutal" and "unfounded" and proposing a temporary halt in future European investments in America. The pause, he said, should last "until we have clarified things with the United States." "What would be the message of having major European players start investing billions of euros in the American economy at the moment when they are hitting us?" Macron said during a meeting with French industry representatives. "We need to have collective solidarity." During his speech, Macron did not hold back against Trump's unprecedented initiative, which will hit the European Union with a 20% rate starting on 9 April. Separately, the bloc will face 25% rates on exports of steel, aluminium and cars, which are already in force. Click here to read...
EU Pauses Retaliatory Tariffs Against US to 'Give Negotiations a Chance'
The European Union has temporarily paused its counter-tariffs against the United States to further pursue talks with Donald Trump's administration on how to resolve what was shaping up to be an all-out trade war. The suspension will remain in place for at least 90 days. The counter-tariffs, imposed in reaction to Trump's duties on steel and aluminium, were approved on April 9 by member states, targeting almost €21 billion in American products, such as soybeans, copper, iron, motorbikes, boats and orange juice. The first raft, worth €3.9 billion, was scheduled to go into effect on 15 April. But this will no longer be the case. "We want to give negotiations a chance," Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission said. "If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in." Von der Leyen's decision comes just hours after Trump, under intense pressure from the markets, announced his self-styled "reciprocal tariffs" would be paused for 90 days. Click here to read...
French Court Bars Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen from Public Office
A French court has imposed a jail sentence on far-right leader Marine Le Pen and barred her from seeking public office after it found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. The Paris court ruled on March 31 that Le Pen used more than 3 million euros ($3.3m) of European Parliament funds to pay members of her National Rally (RN) party. In the sentencing, the chief judge announced that the nationalist politician would not be allowed to run for office for five years, effective immediately. A four-year jail sentence was also imposed, with two years suspended and the remaining two to be served using an electronic tag rather than in custody. Le Pen was also ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 euros ($108,000), while RN was issued with a 2-million-euro ($2.16m) fine. The ruling threatens to push Le Pen out of the 2027 presidential race, in which she is currently the frontrunner, according to opinion polls. Click here to read...
Hungary Withdraws from International Criminal Court during Netanyahu Visit
Hungary is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), its government has announced. A senior official in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government confirmed this hours after Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit. Orban had invited Netanyahu as soon as the warrant was issued last November, saying the ruling would have "no effect" in his country. In November, ICC judges said there were "reasonable grounds" that Netanyahu bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu has condemned the ICC's decision as "antisemitic". The ICC, a global court, has the authority to prosecute those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Hungary is a founding member of the ICC, which counts 125 member states, and will be the first European Union nation to pull out of it. A withdrawal has no impact on ongoing proceedings. Click here to read...
Elon Musk says he Hopes for 'Free Trade Zone' Between Europe and the US
US President Donald Trump's billionaire advisor Elon Musk said on April 5 that he hopes the US and Europe could eventually establish “a very close, stronger partnership” and reach a “zero-tariff zone situation.” Musk was speaking via video link the party congress of Italian far-right party League, which is in a ruling coalition led by Premier Giorgia Meloni. "I hope it is agreed that both Europe and the United States should move, ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America," Musk told Matteo Salvini, the LEGA party leader, via video conference. Musk also said that the agreement should include the free movement of people between both regions, and that this was his advice to president Trump. "That's what I hope occurs. And, also, more freedom for people to move between Europe and North America if they wish, if they wish to work in Europe or wish to work in America. They should be allowed to do so, in my view. So, that has certainly been my advice to the president." Musk, who owns Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, has played a key role in US government downsizing as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Click here to read...
Europe Holds Fresh 'Coalition of Willing' Talks on Ukraine
European defence ministers held fresh talks on April 10 on the potential deployment of troops to secure any Ukraine ceasefire, but there were more questions than answers as US peace efforts with Russia stall. Britain and France are spearheading discussions among a "coalition of the willing" of 30 countries looking to shore up any deal US President Donald Trump might strike. "Our planning is real and substantial. Our plans are well developed," UK defence minister John Healey told the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. "Our reassurance force for Ukraine would be a committed and credible security arrangement to ensure that any negotiated peace does bring what President Trump has pledged, a lasting peace for Ukraine." Healey said he did not envisage "a peacekeeping force that will separate the currently warring sides down the line of contact". Bolstering Ukraine's battered forces would be a key part of the plans, he added. France's Sebastian Lecornu echoed his British counterpart, saying "the first guarantee of security is obviously support for the Ukrainian army, which means refusing to demilitarise Ukraine, as Russia is demanding". Click here to read...
Vladimir Putin won't be Tried for War Crimes in Absentia while President
The special tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine is expected to be hosted in the Hague, the Netherlands. The special tribunal that Western nations intend to establish to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine will not try Vladimir Putin in absentia as long as he remains president of the Russian Federation. The same provision will apply to the Russian prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, and the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. The prosecution of these high-level officials will be allowed only if the defendants are physically present in the room - unlikely given Russia does not recognise the invasion of Ukraine as criminal and is firmly opposed to cooperating with the West. Alternatively, a trial in absentia could be conducted after Putin leaves office. Click here to read...
Spain's Pedro Sánchez aims for Closer Trade Ties with China amid US Tariffs Uncertainty
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is in Beijing, his second stop on a two-country tour of Asia which comes against a backdrop of serious geopolitical tensions due to Donald Trump's tariff war. During his visit to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on April 9, Sánchez praised the tariff pause as "a gateway to negotiation and agreement between countries," after Trump suspended levies on most countries, with the exception of China, for 90 days. Ahead of his visit, the White House warned the Spanish government against cosying up to Beijing. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that looking to China instead of the United States would be a "losing bet for the Europeans" and was akin to "cutting your own throat." Trade levels between Spain and China continue to increase, but with a marked imbalance in favour of the Asian giant. In 2024, Spanish imports from China exceeded €45 billion, while exports barely reached €7.4 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Economy. This places China as Spain's fourth-largest trading partner, its second-largest supplier of goods, but only the twelfth-largest destination for Spanish exports. "Only multilateralism and solidarity between nations can address these types of global challenges. Spain defends a world with open doors. A world in which trade unites our people and makes them more prosperous," Sánchez said. Click here to read...
Russia Launches a Missile Strike on Ukrainian city of Sumy
More than 30 people were killed in the missile strike as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, according to officials. Images from the scene showed lines of black body bags lying on the side of the road, while more bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris. Video footage also showed fire crews as they fought to extinguish the shells of burned-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings. A further 99 people were injured, including 11 children, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Von der Leyen added that "Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law." The attack on Sumy is the second large-scale attack to claim such a high number of civilian lives in just over a week. A deadly missile strike on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih on 4 April killed some 20 people, including nine children. Zelenskyy also called for a global response to the attack. “Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. What’s needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves,” he said. Click here to read...
Ukraine Allies Pledge €21bn in Fresh Military Aid
Ukraine's European allies have pledged €21bn ($24bn; £18bn) in a new tranche of military support for Kyiv in what they described as "a critical year" for the war. More than half of this - €11bn in aid over four years - is coming from Germany. British Defence Minister John Healey said the pledges would send a strong signal to Moscow. The announcement came as members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group met at NATO's headquarters in Brussels to pledge air defences, missiles and other gear as Europe sought to fill the gap left by the changed priorities of the US under Donald Trump. Europe's defence ministers said they saw no sign of an end to the war, despite Trump's promise of a ceasefire. Support announced on April 11 also includes a £450m ($590m) package from the UK and Norway to fund radar systems, anti-tank mines, vehicle repairs and hundreds of thousands of drones for Ukraine. The money is part of a British pledge of £4.5bn made earlier this year. Click here to read...
Hungary Poised to Adopt Constitutional Amendment to ban LGBTQ+ Gatherings
Hungarian lawmakers are expected to vote in a controversial constitutional amendment on April 14 that rights campaigners have described as a “significant escalation” in the government’s efforts to crackdown on dissent and chip away at human rights. Backed by the prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and his right-wing populist party, Fidesz, the amendment seeks to codify the government’s recent ban on Pride events, paving the way for authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attenders and potentially fine them. The amendment, which the government says prioritises the protection of children’s physical, mental and moral development, also enshrines the recognition of only two sexes, providing a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of some in Hungary. After Orbán’s repeated claims of foreign interference in the country’s politics, the amendment will also allow the government to temporarily suspend Hungarian citizenship in the case of dual nationals deemed to pose a threat to the country’s security or sovereignty. Click here to read...
UK Voters Back EU over U.S. for Trade Focus
As trade tensions escalated, a YouGov poll revealed a marked shift in public sentiment in Britain. A majority of UK voters indicated that they prefer Prime Minister Keir Starmer to focus on rebuilding economic relations with the European Union rather than negotiating new trade deals with the United States. 53% of respondents believed that deepening EU ties would be more beneficial for Britain’s economic future, compared to only 27% who favoured stronger U.S. relations. Starmer has publicly advocated for a more pragmatic, multilateral approach, emphasizing that UK interests lie in regional integration, not ideological alignment. The poll serves as a barometer of how post-Brexit Britain is recalibrating its foreign policy toward a more continental outlook, especially under a Labour-led government. Click here to read...
Denmark and Greenland Stand United Against US 'Annexation' Threats
In response to continued US threats regarding the potential annexation of Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark's sovereignty over the island during her official visit in April 2025. Frederiksen, joined by Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and outgoing leader Mute Egede, stood firm in rejecting any US claims to Greenland. This united front came after Vice-President JD Vance's controversial visit, where he reiterated Donald Trump’s desire to bring Greenland under US control for security reasons and criticized Denmark’s handling of the region. Frederiksen emphasized that Denmark would not relinquish control of Greenland, stressing that Denmark was fortifying its military presence in the Arctic and offering closer collaboration with the US on regional security. Despite this, she questioned the US’s respect for Denmark’s sovereignty, stating, "You can't annex other countries." While Greenland has long cooperated with the US on security matters, the majority of Greenlanders and political leaders, including those in the newly formed coalition government, continue to support eventual independence from Denmark but oppose becoming part of the US. The visit underscored Greenland's desire for greater self-determination, even as it maintains strong relations with both Denmark and the US. Click here to read...
EU Deepens Strategic Ties with Kazakhstan and Central Asia
Kazakhstan is becoming an increasingly vital partner for the European Union as the bloc seeks to bolster its presence in Central Asia and reduce energy dependence on Russia. Leveraging improved regional dynamics, the EU has allocated €140 million (2021–2024) to support cooperation and integration among Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan—both bordering the Caspian Sea—are central to the EU’s plans to diversify its energy sources and expand into renewable energy sectors such as solar and wind. The EU also aims to provide technological and expert support for this transition. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has ramped up oil exports via alternative routes, most notably the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, where volumes jumped from 19,200 tons in Q1 2023 to 347,100 tons in Q2—an eighteen-fold increase. This growing economic interdependence underscores the EU’s strategy to strengthen bilateral relations and establish Kazakhstan as a key energy and geopolitical partner in the region. Click here to read...
U.S.–Iran Talks in Oman: Europe Sidelined
While Europe has traditionally played a key role in the Iran nuclear dossier, it found itself excluded from the U.S.–Iran backchannel talks in Muscat, Oman, during early April. The talks focused on potentially freezing Iran’s uranium enrichment in return for partial sanctions relief. Despite their constructive tone and planned follow-up on April 19, the exclusion of the UK, France, and Germany (the “E3”) — once co-signatories of the 2015 JCPOA — has triggered criticism within EU diplomatic circles. European leaders warned that such unilateralism weakens multilateral diplomacy and could lead Iran to play transatlantic actors against one another. Meanwhile, Iran’s proposal to extend temporary verification mechanisms is seen as a small but positive step. Click here to read...
