Browsing: European Commission

European steel shipments to the US fell by 30% from June to December 2025, as announced by Eurofer Director General Axel Eggert. The decline highlights the impact of the US’s 50% tariffs on EU steel, creating urgent discussions regarding trade negotiations.

UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese stated she will not resign despite calls from France and Germany following her comments on Israel. Albanese asserts she has the full backing of the UN Human Rights Council and aims to redirect focus to her findings on state support for Israel.

The European Commission has called an emergency Oil Coordination Group meeting following Hungary and Slovakia’s suspension of diesel supplies to Ukraine, intensifying tensions concerning the Russian Druzhba pipeline. This development is significant as it impacts energy security in the region.

The European Commission’s Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, has faced backlash from several EU member states, led by France, for attending the Board of Peace meeting in Washington without prior communication, raising concerns over foreign policy mandates and potential endorsement of the initiative.

The European Commission has unveiled a strategy to assist nine EU member states bordering Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, aiming to mobilise billions of euros to combat economic and demographic decline. This move addresses urgent regional challenges.

US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Munich Security Conference speech, calling it a positive step for the trans-Atlantic alliance. He noted significant European progress on migration policy alignment with the US, crucial amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.

Finance ministers from eight European member states approved national defence investment plans worth €74 billion on February 17, 2026. A spokesperson for the Cypriot presidency stated this decision facilitates affordable loans under the EU’s Security Action for Europe scheme, which aims to enhance defence procurement.

The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, will attend Trump’s Board of Peace meeting focusing on Gaza, but the European Commission remains cautious about membership due to concerns over governance, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

NATO chief Mark Rutte stated Europe must rely on the US for defence, prompting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to advocate for an independent Europe at the Munich Security Conference, referencing Article 42.7’s obligations for EU member assistance.

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, will attend the US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace gathering to discuss Gaza, despite concerns over governance and charter issues, signalling continued EU engagement in post-war reconstruction efforts.