Brussels, my love? Trump's trade war with the EU - the clock is ticking

Published on 05/07/2025 - 7:00 GMT+2

The timepiece is ticking. On July 9th, Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs could spell into effect, unless immoderate last-minute occurrence could debar repercussions for European exporters from cars to pharmaceuticals.

Should nan EU push for a speedy waste and acquisition statement aliases support fighting for a amended deal? At past week’s EU summit, Germany and France were astatine likelihood complete really to proceed. Are location immoderate bully options astatine all?

This is 1 taxable for nan guests of our talk show this week: Frank Furedi, executive head of nan Hungarian deliberation vessel MCC Brussels, Cynthia Ni Mhurchu, personnel of nan European Parliament for Renew (Ireland) and Dirk Gotink, personnel of nan European Parliament from nan European People’s Party (Netherlands).

Since taking agency for nan 2nd clip successful January, Donald Trump has antagonized nan EU much than ever. And arsenic of July 9th, European equipment going to nan United States could look a 50 percent duty, arsenic threatened.

Trump’s unit is forcing nan European Union to make difficult choices: to fold, clasp nan statement aliases moreover escalate nan waste and acquisition dispute.

Peace offers by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen person fallen connected deaf ears successful Washington truthful that Brussels precocious floated nan thought of teaming up pinch nan Asia Pacific waste and acquisition bloc, which besides includes nan United Kingdom.

It’s until mid-July that nan EU has suspended levies connected definite US equipment to let much clip for negotiations. But clip is now moving out!

Second topic: The forbidden march that was truthful popular… Hungary’s prohibition of this year’s pridefulness parade ended up being a slap successful nan look of premier curate Viktor Orban.

A fewer months ago, nan ruling parties successful Hungary attempted to prohibition nan yearly Budapest Pride march done a bid of law and legislative amendments connected nan grounds that it violated nan authorities of children and endangered their patient development.

We each cognize what happened then. The march became a municipal arena successful which good complete a 100 1000 group participated. It shape-shifted into a powerful connection connected nan authorities of nan LGBTQ organization not only successful Budapest, but crossed Europe. The beardown beingness of EU politicians testified to that.

What are nan consequences for Viktor Orban? Is he weakened now politically, astatine slightest connected nan European level? Was this conscionable a conflict successful nan civilization warfare that he mislaid aliases did he suffer nan warfare arsenic well?

Finally, nan sheet discussed nan heatwave that continues to grip ample parts of Europe, from England to Romania, pinch authorities successful galore regions issuing wellness warnings amid searing temperatures.

Southern Spain has been nan worst-affected, pinch temperatures successful nan mid-40s Celsius recorded successful Seville and neighboring areas. Heatwaves are becoming much communal and much intense, if greenhouse state emissions are not importantly curtailed. But that is easier said than done.

Scientists say, June heatwaves pinch 3 consecutive days supra 28 degrees are astir 10 times much apt to hap now compared to pre-industrial times. Are we prepared for that arsenic a society?

This week, nan European Commission presented its proposals for reducing CO2 emissions astatine a clip erstwhile nan European Green Deal is being called into question. What is incorrect pinch Europe’s ambiance policy?