EU

A senior NATO military official confirmed that the planned withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany will not affect NATO’s deterrence and defence strategies, following a dispute between President Trump and Chancellor Merz. The decision highlights ongoing tensions in transatlantic military commitments.

Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar indicated that EU funds could soon be released to Hungary following productive talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Their discussions addressed unlocking billions in frozen funding, necessary for economic support, amid a looming August deadline.

As EU countries debate the European Commission’s proposal, China is urging national governments to abandon the planned law. Beijing has warned that failure to comply will lead to countermeasures, highlighting escalating tensions between the EU and China over regulatory standards.

The European Parliament has adopted its stance on the EU long-term budget, advocating for a 10% increase and the implementation of EU-level taxes. Members of the European Parliament are prepared for rigorous negotiations as discussions regarding the budget for the 2028-2034 cycle progress.

Relations between Hungary and its neighbours deteriorated ahead of the 12 April election, which saw newcomer Magyar defeat long-standing nationalist leader Viktor Orbán. This political shift marks a significant change in Hungary’s approach to regional relations and governance.

The European Commission is shifting towards a firmer stance on China, spurred by China’s threat of retaliation against the EU’s Made in Europe legislation. On 29 May, EU Commissioners will debate a new strategy amid rising pressures from industry and economic threats perceived from Beijing, signalling potential changes in trade policy.

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