On 27 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald J. Trump agreed a deal on tariffs and trade. The transatlantic partnership is a key artery of global trade and is the most significant bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world. EU-US trade in goods and services has doubled over the last decade, surpassing €1.6 trillion in 2024, […]
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Commission proposes partial suspension of Israel in Horizon Europe
Last 28 July, the European Commission proposed to partially suspend Israel’s participation to Horizon Europe. The suspension specifically concerns the participation of entities established in Israel in activities funded under the Accelerator of the European Innovation Council (EIC). This suspension comes as a reaction to the review Art. 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Respect […]
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EU and Moldova reach agreement on a modernised trade relationship
The EU and Moldova have reached an agreement to review and update the trade terms of the EU-Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). This marks an important step towards building a stable, long-term and balanced trade relationship, especially as Moldova advances on its path towards EU membership. The updated agreement aims to support Moldova’s European […]
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XXV EU-China Summit
The European Union (EU) and China held their 25th Summit in Beijing on 24 July 2025. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met first with Chinese President Xi Jinping and then with Premier Li Qiang. EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Kallas also took part […]
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President Von der Leyen will discuss EU-China relations at the 25th Summit in Beijing.
On 24 July, President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, together with High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas, will be in China for the 25th Summit. There, President von der Leyen, together with President Costa, will meet President Xi Jinping and then Premier Li Qiang. As the EU and China […]
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Commission welcomes EU mandate to start negotiations with GCC countries
The European Commission and the High Representative welcome the Council’s decision authorising them to enter into negotiations with each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with the aim of concluding bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs). The aim of the SPAs is […]
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Republic of Korea joins Horizon Europe programme
Last July 17, the Republic of Korea has officially become the first Asian country to associate with Horizon Europe, the EU’s multibillion research and innovation programme. Korean researchers and organisations can now participate in several areas of the programme on equal terms with those for EU Member States. They will be able to join and […]
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The European Parliament rejects the motion of censure against the European Commission
With 175 votes in favour, 360 against and 18 abstentions, the European Parliament on Thursday rejected a motion of censure against the European Commission. The motion was put to a roll-call vote in plenary. It required a two-thirds majority of the votes cast and the backing of a majority of the members of the […]
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EP calls for addressing China’s restrictions on rare earth exports
Parliament is concerned about China’s export restrictions on key raw materials and the impact on the EU economy. On 4 April 2025, China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in the defence, energy and automotive sectors in response to increased US tariffs on Chinese products. Under the new rules, exporters […]
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