Ursula von der Leyen

Europe struggles with its China policy, seeking new solutions without assessing previous outcomes.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Armenia on July 2.

Donald Trump threatened 100 percent tariffs on all goods from European nations implementing digital services taxes on US tech companies, escalating trade tensions ahead of G7 negotiations with France over the contested levy.

President Trump threatened 100 percent tariffs against any country imposing digital taxes on US tech firms, escalating tensions with European nations, particularly France, over taxation policies affecting American companies.

Polish Prime Minister Tusk called for building Poland-Ukraine relations on truth and mutual respect at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, seeking to ease tensions after President Zelenskyy skipped the event over a historical dispute regarding a Ukrainian military unit named after a nationalist group linked to WWII massacres of.

The European Union disbursed the first 3 billion euros of a 90 billion-euro loan to Ukraine at a recovery conference in Poland, signaling long-term Western commitment to the war-torn nation's reconstruction and EU integration.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation, to be replaced in three months.

Zelensky leads tributes to outgoing UK Prime Minister Starmer for his support during the war against Russia.

India's commerce minister announced the India-EU free trade agreement will be signed by December 2024 and take effect February-March 2027, providing Indian exporters duty-free access to approximately 93 percent of European markets, significantly expanding trade opportunities between the blocs.

Europe considers tariffs on China due to a growing trade deficit.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denies begging for a photo with US President Donald Trump.

EU leaders von der Leyen and Costa stated Russia must eventually join Ukraine peace negotiations, emphasizing the bloc needs unified messaging and a direct role when talks commence, while extending sanctions against Moscow for twelve months.

EU leaders disagreed at a Brussels summit over opening direct diplomatic channels with Moscow, with Council President António Costa pushing for contact to protect European interests in potential Ukraine peace negotiations while Germany and France insisted Ukraine remain central.

India's Foreign Secretary announced the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Partnership will enter force July 15, significantly boosting bilateral trade beyond 48 billion pounds while strengthening technology, security, and people-to-people ties between the nations.

EU leaders pressed the Commission to draft sanctions against Israeli settlers after three months of frustration, with ten to twelve member states supporting an import ban as settlements expand and displace Palestinians in the West Bank.

Ukraine's President Zelensky secured a historic diplomatic milestone as European leaders pledged four billion dollars in military aid, including air defense systems and drones, while formally initiating EU accession negotiations amid continued territorial resistance against Russia's invasion.

Dozens of Civil Society Groups Urge EU to Stop Normalising Ties With Taliban

The European Union allocated over 22 billion euros through its Global Gateway strategy to finance clean energy projects across Latin America, including Mexico and Mercosur nations, addressing energy security concerns amid geopolitical tensions and climate urgency.

Trump threatened countries implementing digital services taxes on US firms with 100% retaliatory tariffs, escalating trade tensions with Europe and potentially overriding existing trade agreements ahead of negotiations.

President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on any country imposing digital service taxes on American companies, specifically targeting European nations, escalating trade tensions ahead of a July 4 EU-US tariff agreement deadline.

Ukrainian President Zelensky authorized a 40-day offensive campaign to pressure Russia into ending the war, while Ukraine simultaneously attacked Russian oil infrastructure and European forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker circumventing sanctions.

The EU Commission is investigating a secret group chat between Zelensky and European leaders about dealing with Trump.

European leaders used a secret group chat to discuss dealing with Donald Trump.

Andy Burnham is expected to replace Keir Starmer as Britain's prime minister after Starmer's resignation.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns amid pressure, with Andy Burnham favored to succeed him.

The European Union is formulating a comprehensive trade strategy to counter a record 417.4 billion dollar deficit with China, addressing Beijing's state-backed dominance in electric vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals through increased domestic production, supply chain diversification, and new protective tariffs.

Europe’s two ‘queens’ at war

Israel attacks a Gaza refugee camp, killing one and injuring four children.

European Council President António Costa emerged as the EU's natural representative for potential Ukraine peace negotiations with Russia, establishing preliminary diplomatic channels while the bloc extends sanctions and advances Ukraine's EU accession.

Ukrainian drones struck Moscow's Kapotnya oil refinery, a critical energy facility supplying 40% of the capital's petrol, in Kyiv's largest air raid since the war began, prompting evacuations and Russian threats of escalated retaliation.

Israel slams EU diplomat Kaja Kallas for likening Israel to South Africa's apartheid regime.

Major economies including the EU, US, and China are building domestic technology sovereignty to reduce foreign dependency, while Australia lags in comparable investment despite similar infrastructure concentration risks and emerging market access barriers for its tech exporters.

The European Union is preparing comprehensive trade policy reforms to counter a record 417.4 billion dollar trade deficit with China, addressing concerns about Chinese state-backed overproduction in strategic sectors like electric vehicles and batteries threatening European competitiveness.

A new European social network, W, will launch by invitation, aiming to rival Elon Musk's X platform.

The US launched additional airstrikes on Iranian military facilities, escalating tensions just two weeks after a ceasefire agreement, while President Trump threatened Iran's erasure.

Venezuela's earthquake death toll rises to at least 920 with US military assisting aid efforts.

President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on countries imposing digital services taxes on American companies, escalating trade tensions with Europe ahead of a July 4 tariff deal deadline, citing discrimination against U.S. technology firms.

Poland and Ukraine opened their annual recovery conference in Gdansk without President Zelenskyy, seeking reconciliation after disputes over historical grievances, while officials emphasized reconstruction needs requiring hundreds of billions in investment.

The EU releases a €3 billion loan to support Ukraine's recovery efforts.

The European Commission is investigating whether Meta adequately protects minors on Facebook and Instagram under the Digital Services Act, examining addictive design features and weak age controls, with potential fines reaching six percent of global annual revenue if breaches are confirmed.

Keir Starmer announces his resignation as UK prime minister and Labor leader within weeks.

Nigel Farage demands new elections in Britain after Keir Starmer's resignation announcement.

Russian President Putin rejected Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's meeting proposal, declaring it pointless, while a Ukrainian drone detonated in Romania's Black Sea port, prompting evacuations and prompting EU leaders to warn the Ukraine war poses an escalating direct threat to Eastern European NATO members.

Britain's 2016 Brexit vote initially threatened EU unity, prompting far-right leaders across Europe to demand referendums. However, Brexit's damaging consequences deterred other countries from leaving, instead strengthening EU cohesion on defense, Ukraine support, and enlargement to Eastern Europe.

The European Commission will propose a diversification law requiring EU companies to reduce supply chain dependence on China, addressing a one-billion-euro-daily trade deficit and slow de-risking pace following China's rare earth export restrictions.

EU leaders disagreed on establishing diplomatic channels with Moscow as Ukraine war continues, with some supporting Council President Costa's proposed backchannel while others, including Germany, cautioned against premature decisions on EU representation in potential negotiations.

Israel slams EU diplomat Kaja Kallas for likening Israel to South Africa's apartheid regime.

Armenia's foreign minister sought accelerated EU economic aid in Luxembourg, as Russia imposed trade sanctions following June elections. The EU pledged 50 million euros and market access to counter Russian pressure on the strategically important South Caucasus nation.

Pakistan faced diplomatic embarrassment after President Trump secretly signed an interim Iran peace deal at Versailles on June 17, sidelining Islamabad's mediation efforts while simultaneously praising Prime Minister Modi, demonstrating the unpredictability of dealing with Trump's administration.

Rights group says Herat arrests could amount to crimes against humanity under Taliban rule.