David Carretta

Bluff in Beijing

Sefcovic arrives in China armed with Merz and Macron’s ‘decisive’ weapon, but wants to avoid a trade war

The European Commissioner for Trade begins a two-day visit to Beijing today, which is seen as crucial for restoring balance to economic relations between China and the EU. On the agenda is the threat of the new ‘kill switch’ proposed by Germany and France, but Brussels still wishes to avoid confrontation

David Carretta

8 OCT 26

Waiting room

The EU has lost its enthusiasm for enlargement. Who’s next in line, the process and the case of Ukraine

Brussels is preparing a new phase of the accession process, with incentives and gradual integration for candidate countries. But the prospect of an EU expanded to 34 countries is alarming governments: regarding Ukraine, following the initial momentum of the war, the sense of urgency has already faded

David Carretta

6 OCT 26

The EU has lost its enthusiasm for enlargement. Who’s next in line, the process and the case of Ukraine

Europe, 7 am

Merz’s visit to Kyiv

The German Chancellor also gave assurances that Germany wishes to speed up Ukraine’s accession to the EU, but emphasised the need for reforms regarding the rule of law and the fight against corruption. Russia continues its attacks on civilian infrastructure

David Carretta

5 OCT 26

the EU strategy

Brussels gives the go-ahead: further cuts to excise duties for everyone

The EU had sought to avoid national fiscal interventions, but has now adapted its stance. “Support measures are also needed in the short term,” said Energy Commissioner Jorgensen.

David Carretta

30 SEP 26

European indecision

The EU’s progress on common defence is much slower than the pace of the threats

Following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, was forced to acknowledge that no progress had been made either on Italy’s request to strengthen the Aspides mission to escort ships threatened by the Houthis, or on the establishment of an emergency security protocol to respond to sabotage, drones or Russian cyberattacks

David Carretta

28 SEP 26

STUCK IN BEIJING

The European Commission is not prepared for a trade war with China

China, with which the EU has a trade deficit of one billion euros a day, poses a threat not only to European industry but also to its social and political model. October is set to be the decisive moment. But von der Leyen has not yet chosen between dialogue and a firm stance towards China

David Carretta

26 SEP 26

Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security (Photo: Ansa)

“A terrible idea”

Trump frightens the EU with the possibility of halting diesel exports

Brussels is terrified by the US President’s self-serving electoral agenda. Even the American oil industry is opposed: the benefits would be limited and short-lived

David Carretta

25 SEP 26

THE ABOUT-TURN

The EU has finally removed Putin’s oligarch friends from the blacklist

The EU has lifted sanctions against the oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman following pressure from Slovakia, France and Luxembourg. The two will be able to return to European territory and recover billions of euros in frozen assets. Kyiv’s protest and Zelensky’s unheeded appeal

David Carretta

22 SEP 26

Vladimir Putin with the oligarch Alisher Usmanov (Photo: Ansa)

Europe, 7 am

Another defeat for Merz, another victory for the AfD

The CDU has achieved its worst-ever result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. Alternative für Deutschland, on the other hand, continues to grow: in the state, it has almost doubled its share of the vote compared with the last election (from 16.7 per cent to 38 per cent), and the same is true in the city-state, where it reached 15 per cent.

David Carretta

21 SEP 26

critical moment

NATO is on high alert following hybrid attacks

US disengagement, slow-moving rearmament and delicate elections in key countries: a window of opportunity is opening in the first half of 2027 that Putin can use to test the Alliance

David Carretta

19 SEP 26

NATO is on high alert following hybrid attacks

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