Brussels is bracing for a potential escalation in transatlantic trade tensions as US President Donald Trump threatens to unilaterally raise tariffs on European-made cars to 25%, a move that would breach the existing EU-US trade agreement. European Parliament members, national diplomats, and European Commission officials are set to hold closed-door discussions on Wednesday evening to resolve outstanding issues in the deal and avert further threats.
Von der Leyen: EU Ready for Any Scenario
Speaking from Yerevan, Armenia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the bloc is “prepared for every scenario” if Trump follows through on his threat. The so-called Turnberry agreement, signed at the Scottish golf resort, caps US tariffs on EU goods at 15%. Trump alleged on social media last week that the EU “is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal,” without providing specifics.
A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Euronews that the EU is proceeding according to its legislative processes and that there is no cause for alarm over the pace of implementation. Von der Leyen confirmed that the bloc is “in the final stages” of implementing a key pillar of the agreement designed to eliminate tariffs on a wide range of American products.
French President Emmanuel Macron, also in the South Caucasus, said the EU has “tools to respond” to tariff threats, though he did not specify whether he was referring to the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument, sometimes called the trade bazooka. The EU has previously used this mechanism to counter economic pressure from third countries.
Ashton: Consistency and Cooperation Needed
Catherine Ashton, who served as EU trade commissioner in 2008 and foreign policy chief from 2009 to 2014, told Europe Today that European markets require consistency and certainty in trade policy. However, she warned that broader geopolitical tensions, including developments in the Middle East, demand cooperation. “Being a transactional president is the way that he wants to go forward, and I think that’s how Europe – or any country – has to respond: by trying to work through that,” Ashton said. “But in the end, this all comes down to the fact that, with everything happening globally, especially in the Middle East right now, we are entering a period where additional challenges will require collective action. The more we can work together on trade, the better.”
The remarks come as Trump urged Iran to “do the smart thing” and make a deal, even as a ceasefire teeters. The US president said he did not want to kill more Iranians, while his advisers have pressed China to use its ties with Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as reported.
Russian Strikes Kill 26 in Ukraine
At least 26 people were killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine on Tuesday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Moscow’s “utter cynicism” for launching deadly attacks while also seeking a truce to stage its 9 May patriotic parade. Twelve people died in an airstrike on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, according to local governor Ivan Federov. Zelenskyy said at least five civilians were killed in an attack on the centre of Kramatorsk, the last hub under Kyiv’s control in the Donetsk region, and warned the death toll could rise. “The attack hit right in the city centre, targeting civilians,” he said.
When Moscow informed the US about its unilateral ceasefire proposal for 8 and 9 May, Zelenskyy responded with a counteroffer: a truce starting from midnight on 5 May. “Human life is far more valuable than any anniversary ‘celebration’,” he said. “It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defence Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill.” Kyiv has warned it will “act reciprocally” if the truce is not respected. For more on the strikes, see this report.
Romania’s Pro-EU Coalition Collapses
Romania’s pro-European coalition government collapsed on Tuesday after lawmakers voted 281 to 4 in favour of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The motion was submitted last week by the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), which withdrew from the coalition in late April, and the hard-right opposition Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR). The collapse triggers a fresh period of turmoil less than a year after the coalition was sworn in. Romania has faced prolonged instability, including an annulled presidential election in December 2024, one of the highest budget deficits in the EU, rampant inflation, and a technical recession.
Child Abduction as Propaganda
Maksym Maksymov, who leads efforts to return Ukraine’s abducted children, argues that Russia’s so-called “rescues” are a systematic campaign to erase Ukrainian identity. In an opinion piece, he warns that the world is still falling for this propaganda playbook. The UN’s current official languages are English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese, but Portuguese is gaining recognition through institutions like the Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language, which promotes Portuguese language and culture globally.
