The European Union took advantage of former President Jair Bolsonaro's departure to rebuild ties with Brazil and finally seal an elusive trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc. His eldest son, Flávio, could now put that reconciliation at risk. www.politico.eu/article/a-ne...
A new Bolsonaro could pull Brazil away from Europe — and toward Trump
Brussels has spent years rebuilding ties with Brasília. Brazil’s knife-edge election could change the equation.
politico.eu
Mainstream narrative of China shock decimating EU industry may be overblown • Over past decade, China accounted for just one quarter of growth in bloc's extra-EU imports • China's share of EU’s imports has barely moved over past decade, rising from 20.5% to 22.3% www.economist.com/business/202...
European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič will hold a videoconference with his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao on Thursday, a Commission spokesperson confirmed to POLITICO.
EU, China trade chiefs to hold call as talks near crunch time
The call comes amid heightened contacts between Beijing and Brussels to reduce the EU’s huge deficit in goods trading with China.
politico.eu
NEW: EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič is expected to meet European CEOs on Sept. 18 to get feedback on the European Commission’s push to diversify critical supply chains away from China, four people familiar with the meeting told POLITICO. www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
EU trade chief to meet CEOs over China strategy
The gathering is set to bring together top execs from Europe’s machinery, auto, electronics and chemicals industries.
politico.eu
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called in January on the world’s middle powers to band together against Trump. But a trade war with the U.S. came before they were ready. @glanktree.bsky.social @kcarlsonjourno.bsky.social, Stefanie Bolzen, Nick Taylor-Vaisey www.politico.eu/article/trad...
The trade war came too soon for Mark Carney’s middle powers alliance
The Canadian prime minister called for pro-trade democracies to resist great-power coercion together. Seven months later, he is largely fighting Trump alone.
politico.eu
Democratic-led states sue to block Trump's latest wave of tariffs www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
Democratic-led states sue to block Trump's latest wave of tariffs
Monday’s complaint is the latest in a series of new legal challenges to President Donald Trump's forced labor tariffs.
politico.com
The US is asking countries to step up forced labor enforcement. Its own is weakening.
The US is asking countries to step up forced labor enforcement. Its own is weakening.
Trade data shows the government's enforcement of a law targeting Uyghur forced labor has shrunk dramatically under President Donald Trump.
dlvr.it
NEW: EU countries voted on Thursday to keep on ice the bloc’s retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. in the long-running Airbus-Boeing dispute. The move comes as the EU seeks to avoid reigniting a transatlantic trade war at a time when tensions are easing. Story here www.politico.eu/article/eu-k...
EU keeps Airbus-Boeing trade truce alive
Thursday’s vote prolongs the suspension of the EU’s retaliatory tariffs; its duration is still being negotiated.
politico.eu
Bernd Lange has shown how the power of Parliament and the use of time can benefit one side of a trade negotiation. It is a lesson that successive UK governments have utterly refused to learn. www.politico.eu/article/the-...
The secret EU trade negotiator who made Trump wait
Top trade lawmaker Bernd Lange delayed a transatlantic deal for months, frustrating both Washington and Brussels. While he didn’t get everything he wanted, he says he got what Europe needed.
politico.eu
Bernd Lange doesn’t come across as the kind of man who would easily rile an American president. With @maxgriera.bsky.social and Nette Nöstlinger, we took a look at the man who turned technical talks over a transatlantic trade truce into political leverage — and kept Donald Trump waiting for months.
As EU negotiators meet this evening to try to strike an accord on the U.S. trade deal, the challenge now is no longer about finding an agreement with Donald Trump — it’s getting one that can survive the EU itself. www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
EU tiptoes toward approving US trade deal
A compromise between EU lawmakers and governments is within reach as the clock runs down on Donald Trump’s threat to hike auto tariffs.
politico.eu
Bernd Lange, who has been one of the most hawkish negotiators on the EU-U.S. trade deal, told POLITICO he was confident a deal would be reached at the next negotiating round — held either on May 12 or 19. That'd pave the way for a plenary vote in June. Story here: www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
EU agreement on US trade deal within reach, says top lawmaker
“I guess there will be a conclusion at the next meeting,” says German MEP Bernd Lange.
politico.eu
EXCLUSIVE: The EU must protect strategic industries such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals from Chinese oversupply — even if that means exposing the bloc to retaliation in the short term, Belgium’s foreign minister told POLITICO.
Belgium urges EU to save industry by getting tough on China
On returning from China, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot warns the EU will become a “coalition of frogs” unless it embraces a cohesive strategy.
politico.eu
Sefcovic and Greer failed to resolve differences over the US-EU trade deal in Paris yesterday. Negotiators from the EU Parliament, capitals and the Commission will meet today to formulate a response to Trump’s auto tariff threat. @camgijs.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
EU clash looms over Trump trade deal
Donald Trump’s threat to hike tariffs on European autos confirms the judgment of a majority of EU lawmakers that he can’t be trusted.
politico.eu
The 🇺🇸 is set to violate the 🇪🇺🇺🇸 Turnberry deal. Again. Excellent reporting by @camgijs.bsky.social and @arihawkins.bsky.social.
POLITICO Europe@politico.eu · 5mo agoEXCLUSIVE: Nearly half of EU exports containing steel and aluminum are at risk of higher U.S. duties under Donald Trump’s latest tariff overhaul, according to an early European Commission assessment.
NEW: The Trump administration has reassured the EU’s top trade lawmaker that it will shorten a list of items containing steel that are subject to high US tariffs, in a move that could finally persuade the Parliament to back the EU-US deal. W @arihawkins.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/us-d...
US dangles steel concessions ahead of key EU votes
Easier U.S. treatment of products containing steel could unlock approval of last year’s trade deal by EU lawmakers. But it’s not yet a done deal.
politico.eu
With two weeks to go until the EU is due to vote on implementing its trade deal with the U.S., European and American officials are scrambling to avoid a return to their transatlantic trade war.
Time runs out to avert new trade war as US patience with EU wears thin
There are two weeks until the European Parliament is due to vote on the EU-U.S. trade deal. But the outcome is still uncertain, and bitterly contentious.
politico.eu
During the Greenland standoff, the EU avoided rushing into a forceful response, patting itself on the back for remaining united. Now, the bloc is dealing with a Trump riled up by a SCOTUS decision that overturned his core tariff agenda. With @aitorehm.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
EU rushes to defend Spain from Trump’s embargo menace
President Donald Trump’s threat to cut all ties with Spain after it opposed his war on Iran again puts the bloc’s unity to the test.
politico.eu
America’s trade partners expressed quiet relief at the Supreme Court’s rebuke of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Friday. But they are already bracing for his next trade salvo. With ace colleagues from London, Paris, Ottawa, Washington and Berlin www.politico.eu/article/trad...
World leaders hold their breath for Trump’s next tariff move
The EU, U.K. and Canada react cautiously to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
politico.eu
This one's for the nerds. Under pressure to raise its trade game as the US and China close faster deals, Brussels wants to cut almost a year off the time it takes to approve trade deals, according to an internal plan seen by POLITICO. @koenverhelst.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/brus...
Brussels pitches English-first approval to speed up EU trade deals
Agreements with India and Indonesia would be test cases under a new “accelerated procedure” floated by the European Commission.
politico.eu
🎙️ In this episode of EU Confidential, @swheatonjourno.bsky.social talks to @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social about his research inspiring governments to ban social media for kids. And @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social + @camgijs.bsky.social discuss what Ursula von der Leyen dubbed the “mother of all deals.” 🎧👇
The Anxious Continent: Social media bans and boozy trade deals
open.spotify.com
NEW: EU-Mercosur trade deal stalled as MEPs send it for judicial review MEPs backed a resolution to seek an opinion from the Court of Justice on whether the texts of the agreement comply with the EU treaties. 334 votes in favor, 324 against, and 11 abstentions www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
EU-Mercosur trade deal stalled as MEPs send it for judicial review
Opponents of the Latin American accord prevail, potentially delaying it for up to two years.
politico.eu
As Ursula von der Leyen prepares to sign the Mercosur deal on Saturday, its opponents still plan legal action against it even as they admit their chances of success appear slim. Story with @maxgriera.bsky.social and @thisisbartosz.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
Opponents rally for last-ditch bid to derail EU’s Mercosur trade pact
As Ursula von der Leyen prepares to sign the Mercosur deal, its opponents still plan legal action against it.
politico.eu
Brussels is prioritizing exemptions for steel, machinery and medtech from U.S. tariffs in talks with the Trump administration, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič told us. EU, US are also looking for another cooperation forum to replace the defunct EU-US TTC. W/@zimmerfrau.bsky.social shorturl.at/rabR1
EU presses US for tariff relief on steel, machinery and medtech
Brussels is focusing on strategic sectors in its talks with the Trump administration, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič tells POLITICO.
shorturl.at
When the world’s largest tobacco company needed help lifting international restrictions on its products, it enlisted an unlikely ally: the European Union, a leader in tobacco control. Read our joint investigation with @theexamination.org www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
EU officials acted to aid tobacco giant abroad, documents show
The EU’s actions were a “great help,” Philip Morris International said in an email.
politico.eu
France is playing for time over a crucial vote on the EU’s trade mega deal with Mercosur, in a strategy that could kill the long-awaited accord. “If we do not allow [Ursula von der Leyen] to sign it on the 20th, it's dead,” a senior diplomat said. www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France seeks to delay crunch vote on EU’s Mercosur mega deal
A senior EU diplomat warns that another delay could kill the Latin American trade deal after 25 years of talks.
politico.eu
The European Parliament wants stricter conditions for activating safeguard measures in the EU-Mercosur trade deal, according to compromise amendments seen by POLITICO.
European Parliament pushes for tougher triggers on Mercosur safeguards
The move could derail a tight timetable aimed at signing the mega trade deal before the end of the year.
politico.eu
A jolt of optimism that Brussels and Mercosur can finally seal their trade deal this year has given way to trepidation that everything could fall apart just before the finish line. The EU’s narrow, perilous path to the Mercosur trade deal With @maxgriera.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-p...
The EU’s narrow, perilous path to the Mercosur trade deal
Fresh pushback in the European Parliament and hesitation in EU capitals could still derail a push to sign the accord before Christmas.
politico.eu
NEW: Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise. www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
politico.eu
NEW: Brussels will ask the Trump administration to exempt a list of sensitive EU goods ranging from whiskies through to medical equipment from U.S. tariffs, according to a list we've seen. It will be presented to top US trade officials Lutnick and Greer on Monday. www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
EU to request booze, pasta, cheese tariff exemptions from Trump administration
Brussels to present wish list to top Trump officials when they visit on Monday.
politico.eu