EU’s Šefčovič meets Chinese officials over trade disputes

The EU has imposed restrictions on imports of Chinese medical devices in response to allegations of discrimination against foreign manufacturers in public contract bids, requiring exclusion of Chinese bidders from contracts over €5mn for five years. This marks the first application of the International Procurement Instrument, aimed at opening overseas markets, as the EU seeks to address trade tensions exacerbated by China's "Made in China" policy, which prioritizes domestic suppliers. While the EU is open...

The European Commission has approved a joint venture among BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and the Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co for the production of a next-generation fighter jet, responding to concerns over reliance on US defense equipment. This initiative, part of the Global Combat Air Programme, aims to have aircraft operational by 2035, enhancing defense capabilities against rising threats from Russia and China. The UK's recent defense plan includes substantial investments in modernization, highlighting...

Poland's recent presidential election, resulting in the victory of rightwing nationalist Karol Nawrocki, poses a significant threat to the EU's trade ambitions and jeopardizes billions in EU funds for Warsaw, according to officials. Nawrocki's election could stall necessary reforms for accessing EU funds and may align Poland with other Eurosceptic leaders, undermining the pro-EU government led by Donald Tusk. With Nawrocki's ability to veto legislation and his opposition to EU policies, Poland's commitment to judicial...

The EU’s climate advisory board has advised against using international carbon credits to meet climate targets, stating it could weaken domestic emission reduction efforts. The board recommends aiming for a 90-95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, emphasizing the need for rapid and significant cuts. This stance conflicts with the German government, which supports including carbon offsets, while France seeks guarantees for businesses, raising concerns about the bloc's overall climate...

Karol Nawrocki, Poland's newly elected president from the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, narrowly defeated Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition candidate, Rafał Trzaskowski, by less than 2%. Nawrocki is expected to block Tusk's pro-EU reforms and escalate tensions between the presidency and government, marking a shift towards more extreme rightwing politics in Poland and potentially across Europe. His victory, supported by a pact with the far-right Confederation party, reflects a growing resilience of...

This article discusses the election of Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist and former football hooligan, as Poland's next president, marking a significant setback for the pro-EU government. Nawrocki, supported by Donald Trump, won with 50.9% of the vote against Rafał Trzaskowski, representing the ruling coalition, indicating a shift towards Euroscepticism and political uncertainty in Poland. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia are set for negotiations after recent airstrikes, with Ukraine seeking a ceasefire and the return of...