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Summary On May 19, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government and EU leaders will hold a summit in London to sign agreements aimed at strengthening UK-EU relations post-Brexit, including a declaration of common principles, a security and defence pact, and discussions on Brexit-related issues. The UK’s military capabilities are seen as vital for EU defence efforts, although immediate access to EU funds will require further negotiations. Both sides face domestic political pressures that hinder progress, yet...

SummaryThe article contrasts the EU's methodical, compromise-driven approach to trade negotiations with the impulsive and aggressive style of the Trump administration. As the EU faces rising tariffs from the U.S., they are cautiously navigating their trade relationship, offering to purchase more American goods while resisting permanent tariff levels. Meanwhile, other nations are seeking trade deals with the EU, as they prioritize long-term agreements over rapid negotiations, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties in the evolving global...

When Italian lawyer Mario Franzosi coined the term “Italian torpedo” in 1997, he described a tactic of preemptively filing lawsuits in slow Italian courts to impede opponents' legal actions. This practice has resurfaced in post-Brexit Britain, as EU regulations no longer apply, allowing litigators to exploit it again, particularly in financial derivative disputes between Italian municipalities and banks. As the UK prepares to sign the 2019 Hague Convention in 2025, the strategic filing of claims...

This article discusses the recent first round of Romania's presidential election, where hard-right nationalist George Simion secured around 40% of the votes, alarming EU and NATO allies. Simion, who leads the AUR party and has a controversial past, will face Nicușor Dan in the May 18 run-off after Dan received 20.9% of the vote. Meanwhile, the EU's trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is calling for more staff and streamlined processes to expedite trade negotiations with various...

SummaryThe EU has a unique opportunity to enhance the euro's global influence amidst uncertainties surrounding the US dollar due to the Trump administration's erratic policies. European leaders could capitalize on this by issuing common debt, consolidating existing bonds, and pre-funding future spending, thereby fostering a stable euro asset market. Additionally, strengthening trade relationships and implementing financial tools to promote euro usage could further enhance the euro's attractiveness, urging leaders to recognize the geopolitical importance of...

The writer was chair of the economic affairs committee of the House of Lords in the last parliament Tony Blair criticized current climate policies as impractical, urging a more pragmatic approach amid three key challenges facing Europe: climate change, competitiveness, and security. He argues that growth should be prioritized to fund defense and decarbonization efforts, emphasizing that robust energy supply, including gas, is essential for rearmament while balancing climate goals. Leaders must reassess regulatory frameworks...