European Commission

Published on
16/10/2025 – 11:19 GMT+2

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In the global trade storm unleashed since US President Donald Trump’s return to power, Italian pasta producers are feeling very much alone — while their case is a special one.

On 4 September, the US Department of Commerce announced preliminary tariffs of 91.74% on 13 pasta brands.

If upheld, the tariffs would take effect in January 2026, delivering a significant blow to Italy, which exported nearly €700 million worth of pasta to the United States in 2024.

Admittedly, the case is not new. It originated in 1996, when US pasta producers accused Italian manufacturers of dumping — selling their products in the American market at prices lower than those in Italy.

Since then, Italian producers have been regularly subject to tariffs, but never of the magnitude now decided by the Trump administration.

Combined with the 15% duties that now apply to EU imports into the US, the total tariff burden would reach 106.74% if implemented. The pasta makers say this is brutal.

“It’s unfair, it’s a protectionist action of the US against Italian pasta,” Margherita Mastromauro, president of Unione Italiana Food, the largest association of food producers in Italy, told Euronews.

“We need help, because a large part of our companies are involved. With a duty so high, it means that all these companies will not export until the new review will be done.”

The investigation concerned the period between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, Italian producers hope the review of the year 2025 will bring them some relief. But for now, the future remains uncertain.

Can the fight become political?

The companies have been scrambling to get these tariffs lifted since September.

Two of them, Garofalo and La Molisana, have taken legal action against the decision.

The Italian government and the European Commission have begun to get involved. However, room for manoeuvre remains limited in what is, according to the president of Unione Italiana Food, more a “legal” than a “political” matter.

The Italian Foreign Ministry has said the duties were “disproportionate” and has joined the case as an “interested party” to weigh in favour of this key sector of Italy’s economy.

On its side, the Commission told Euronews that the issue could be raised within the framework of the new dialogue initiated with the Trump administration on tariffs, since the agreement reached in July ended weeks of discord between the two sides of the Atlantic.

But an EU official also conceded that, unlike the unilateral tariffs imposed on other European products — which violate rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) — the US anti-dumping action against pasta appears to be done traditionally, as a trade defence mechanism allowed by the WTO, which regulates international trade between its member countries.

“We are closely monitoring the case, and if there are flaws in the investigation, we will question it and we will raise the issue with the WTO,” the official told Euronews.

If that were the case, it could lead to retaliatory measures from the EU.

Socialist Italian MEP Brando Benifei, who leads the parliamentary delegation for relations with the US, condemned the US action that he considers “clearly discriminatory”.

“This has to be solved and we urge the Commission to act through,” Benifei told Euronews.

Airlines will not know exactly how many flights they need to cancel until the action is confirmed and almost underway, but Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said he expects Ryanair to be told to cancel up to 600 daily, affecting up to 100,000 passengers.

Ryanair and easyJet have issued warnings to passengers ahead of a run of disruptive strikes that could impact more than 100,000 passengers.

The main French air traffic control union, SNCTA, has announced a strike scheduled from 7 to 10 October 2025, which is expected to trigger a large number of flight cancellations and delays throughout western Europe.

Airlines will not know exactly how many flights they need to cancel until the action is confirmed and almost under way, but Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said he expects Ryanair to be told to cancel up to 600 daily, affecting up to 100,000 passengers.

He said: “We cannot have a situation in the EU where we have a single market yet we close that market every time the French go on strike. They have the right to strike, but if flights are to be cancelled they should be flights arriving to and from France. They should not be overflights.”

Have you been impacted by the strikes? Email [email protected]

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The union’s reasons for striking include concerns over air traffic control governance, highlighting “mistrust, punitive practices, and harsh managerial methods,” along with demands for pay increases to offset inflation.

Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, said: “While this is outside of our control, we will be doing all we can to minimise the impact this will have on our customers. Our passengers and crew have been impacted by ATC related disruption for too long and so a solution must be found.

“We are calling on the new head of the French aviation authority to urgently address this issue by building more resilience into the system and crucially, by protecting overflying on strike days to ensure the travel plans of passengers whose flights do not take off or land in France are not needlessly ruined.

“We need action on this now, so the rest of Europe is not held hostage when French Air Traffic Controllers go on strike.”

This industrial action is likely to cause major disruptions, especially affecting flights crossing French airspace, with past strikes having resulted in thousands of cancellations and substantial costs for the aviation sector.

By law, airlines must reroute passengers and provide accommodation and meals for cancelled flights, regardless of the strike’s cause—though managing these obligations becomes difficult during widespread disruption.

Latest analysis by AirAdvisor shows the strike will impact over 129,600 UK passengers, with mass cancellations expected on routes to Spain, Italy, France, and beyond. AirAdvisor expects a 50-60% disruption rate, which means 240 UK flights per day or over 720 flights to and from the UK will be disrupted, affecting 129,600 Brits over three days.

According to AirAdvisor, the routes that are most vulnerable to being disrupted are:

UK to Spain (all routes except northern Spain via the Bay of Biscay)

UK to Portugal (including Madeira and Azores)

UK to Italy (especially southern Italy)

UK to Greece (western routes)

UK to the Canary Islands

UK to Morocco and Tunisia

French airspace acts as Europe’s bottleneck. More than 30% of all UK-to-Mediterranean flights, and a huge chunk of UK-Spain, UK-Italy, and UK-Portugal routes, are about to face either outright cancellation or one to four hour delays. The disruption isn’t limited to French airports, but will affect every hub from Barcelona, Madrid, and Palma to Amsterdam and Brussels.

Airlines cannot simply fly around France as alternate, oceanic or North African routes add time, cost, and complexity. Fuel, crew, and slot constraints mean not every flight gets an alternative path.

Travellers headed to Spain and Portugal from London, Manchester, and Bristol are expected to be especially hard hit, with flights being axed at the last minute and others rerouted hundreds of miles out of the way, resulting in arrivals creeping into the early hours or simply overnighting at hubs.

The budget airline has warned passengers of impending strikes in France that could disrupt the plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers heading to destinations including Greece, Italy and Spain

Ryanair has delivered a stark warning to passengers planning to travel in October that hundreds of flights could be cancelled.

The budget carrier is alerting customers about looming strikes in France that threaten to wreck the holiday plans of tens of thousands of travellers. France’s biggest air traffic controllers’ union, Syndicat Majoritaire des Contrôleurs Aériens, is preparing to down tools from October 7 to 10. The union members are taking action over their current working conditions.

Initially planned for September 17-18, the industrial action was delayed due to political turmoil across the country. Now rearranged for October 7 to 10, one travel company is forecasting ‘chaos’. The walkout won’t just hit flights bound for France but also those travelling through French airspace.

Now Ryanair’s chief executive has warned that 100,000 passengers could see their flights disrupted next week as a consequence of the strike. Michael O’Leary estimated that the industrial action would cost Ryanair around £20m.

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The budget airline CEO called for overflights to be protected from strike action, saying disrupting them is an abuse of the free single market. Countries including Spain and Greece already do that, but France doesn’t offer such protections.

Mr O’Leary said that Ryanair was expecting to be asked to cancel about 600 flights, with almost all of them overflights. “That’s about 100,000 passengers who will have their flights cancelled needlessly next Wednesday and Thursday,” he told Sky News.

“On any given day at the moment, we operate about 3,500 flights and about 900 of those flights cross over French airspace and about two-thirds of those, around 600 flights, are cancelled every day there’s an air traffic control strike. The UK is the country whose flights get cancelled most because of the geographic proximity to France.”

The airline voiced its exasperation earlier this summer when a Belgrade ATC strike held up 99 flights and affected more than 17,800 passengers in merely two days. The French strikes could cause significant disruption.

During the peak travel season in October, Charles de Gaulle Airport alone typically sees over 200,000 passengers daily, and France recorded roughly 1m overnight stays by international tourists between October 9-11 in 2024.

Holidaymakers are being urged to check with their airlines 48 hours before departure to learn of any disruption. They are also advised to brace themselves for a longer-than-expected wait at the airport and arrive well ahead of their flight.

Downloading airline apps can also help you stay updated, and be prepared for delays on things like trains and coaches as affected passengers seek alternative means of transport.

If your flight has been delayed or cancelled as a result of strike action by cabin crew or pilots, then you are entitled to compensation by law. That’s because the airline could have foreseen and preempted this problem.

However, strikes by airport staff and air traffic controllers are not considered to be within the control of the airline, so no compensation would apply. If strikes have an impact on your airport then get their early or follow the advice from your airline. Problems with airport staff strikes can result in major queues to check in bags, so if this kind of industrial action is announced, you might want to think about reducing your baggage to just carry-on cabin bags in order to cut out one queue.

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The steel sector raised the alarm on Wednesday over the fate of Europe’s steel jobs due to the dual impact of Chinese surplus entering the EU market and punitive US tariffs targeting European steel production.

“Europeans have to do something. They have to find strong answers against these overcapacities because if they don’t we will lose all our jobs and all our confidence,” Manuel Bloemers, from the powerful German union IG Metall, told Euronews.

“In Germany, the steel industry is heavily impacted from these imports. Thyssenkrupp has a lot of layoffs planned,” he added.

European Commission Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné convened an emergency summit in Brussels with both steel industry leaders and unions to explore urgent solutions.

The European steel industry currently supports around 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs across the EU, with Germany, Italy and France being the main producers in 2024, according to data by EUROFER, a lobby that represents Europe’s leading steel producers.

Thyssenkrupp Steel alone has announced plans to cut up to 11,000 jobs — around 40% of its German workforce — by 2030. Across Europe, thousands of jobs are also under threat at ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steel producer.

The past year was a challenging one for the sector, which saw a loss of 18,000 jobs in the EU, according to IndustriAll, the European steel union.

The situation may worsen with the new trade policy implemented by US President Donald Trump, industry representatives believe.

Since June, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on steel imports and an influx of heavily subsidised Chinese steel is diverted from the US to the EU market, lowering prices and revenues of the EU industry.

EUROFER has called for measures to slash foreign steel imports by half.

“The big risks we have as Europeans is that not only our exports into the US are being limited, but also the imports which are directed to the US usually are landing in an unprotected Europe,” Henrik Adam, president of EUROFER said.

After weeks of transatlantic trade tensions, the EU and the US reached a trade deal in July, which includes a 15% US tariff on all EU imports, while maintaining 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium — a bitter setback for the sector.

The Commission has told Euronews it will unveil new measures of protection for the market at next week’s European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg.

‘Time is running out’

“Time is running out,” warned German MEP Jens Geier (S&D), describing the outlook as “anxious” for workers across the continent.

“This is a worthwhile timely initiative by the commission to propose this defence instruments since we all are eager to see action from the Commission,” the MEP said.

To respond to the crisis, the steel industry is proposing a tariff rate quota system: imports above a certain threshold would be subject to a 50% tariff. The threshold remains to be determined.

The quota aligns with a proposal launched in July by France, backed by 10 other EU member states, which notes that the new system “must apply to all third countries without exception.”

Since 2019, the European Commission has implemented safeguard measures to limit imports of foreign steel. However, those are set to expire in 2026, and EUROFER argues the current rules have already proven insufficient, with foreign steel imports doubling over that period.

The OECD published data in April showing that global steel overcapacities stood at 600 million tonnes in 2023 and are expected to rise to 720 million tonnes next year.

To stand its ground, the EU hopes the US will agree to lower its tariffs.

Negotiations between Brussels and Washington are expected to resume once the Commission has finalised its approach to protecting the sector.

The White House will then assess what it is willing to grant the Europeans. But talks are expected to be difficult, as Trump is pushing to bring production capacity back to US soil.

“Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another big jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers. Make America great again,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in May.

Published on 25/09/2025 – 14:39 GMT+2
•Updated
15:05

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Negotiations over the sustainability chapter of the trade agreement with India are proving “challenging” the Commission’s chief negotiator Christophe Kiener told a meeting of the European Parliament’s trade committee on Thursday.

“We will need to adjust the approach we usually take on trade and sustainable development to make sure this is something India can live with,” said Kiener, adding: “Not having a chapter on trade and sustainability is not an option, but we must also make sure that this chapter cannot be an empty shell.”

The EU and India aim to conclude negotiations on a trade agreement by the end of the year. On 12 September, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen travelled to New Delhi for a new round of talks. However, no breakthrough was achieved.

One of the main sticking points is the dispute settlement mechanism the EU seeks to include in the deal to ensure India complies with environmental standards.

“The notion that there would be a dispute settlement, let alone sanctions applying to those commitments, the idea that the commitments would be legally binding, that civil society would be involved in the management of the agreement from that perspective, but also that those commitments would apply at the sub-federal level — these are elements that are very difficult for India,” Kiener told MEPs.

India ‘not like New Zealand’

Since its last mandate, the Commission pushes for inclusion of environmental provisions in its trade agreements, including mechanisms to oversee their implementation and enforce compliance.

This same chapter proved contentious during the EU’s talks with the Mercosur countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay — until a deal was finally reached in December 2024.

The Mercosur agreement includes a dispute settlement mechanism involving an external review by independent experts and participation from civil society. It also identifies adherence to the Paris Agreement — the legally binding international climate treaty adopted in 2015 — as an “essential element” of the deal. This means the agreement can be suspended if one party seriously breaches or withdraws from the climate accord.

“We should not fall into the delusion that India is a country like New Zealand,” Kiener said, referring to the EU-New Zealand deal that entered into force in May 2024 and is considered a benchmark for integrating green standards into trade agreements.

EU green legislation, in particular the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) adopted in 2023, has raised concerns among Indian negotiators, Kiener told MEPs. CBAM introduces a levy on imports into the EU of certain carbon-intensive goods, a measure India perceives as potentially protectionist.

The budget airline has issued a warning to all passengers travelling to the EU from October 12, as the new Entry/Exit System will replace manual passport stamping with an automated process

EasyJet has sounded the alarm over a series of “important changes” to border controls for Brits heading to the EU from next month.

The budget airline is warning passengers that from October 12 the fresh Entry/Exit System (EES) will swap manual passport stamping for an automated system that gathers biometric information.

This means your face will be photographed and fingerprints taken to help handle travellers “more efficiently,” the low-cost carrier explained, no matter which airline you’re flying with. It continued by making clear that youngsters under 12 won’t need to undergo the fingerprinting process.

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EasyJet’s announcement stated: “From October 12, 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamping with an automated process that collects biometric data (facial photo and fingerprints) to help process travellers more efficiently. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.”

It explained: “Non-EU nationals visiting one of the 25 EU Member States or 4 Schengen Associated Countries for short stays may be affected – read the full list of participating countries. You may experience longer wait times at passport control while the system is being rolled out.”

The Foreign Office had previously issued fresh guidance for all affected Schengen nations: “New Schengen entry requirements.”

From October 12 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) will commence. When journeying into and out of the Schengen zone, for brief visits, you may be required to: “If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, this information will be taken at the border, before you leave the UK.”

“You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts.”

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The European Commission has also previously outlined the reasoning behind the scheme, with a spokesperson explaining: “The EES is an advanced technological system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries, including Schengen Associated ones, for short stays.”

“It will capture biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial image, and other travel information, gradually replacing the current system of passport stamping. The EES will modernise and improve the management of EU external borders. It will provide reliable data on border crossings, systematically detect overstayers as well as cases of document and identity fraud.”

It continued: “The EES will thus contribute to preventing irregular migration and protecting the security of European citizens. Additionally, with the increased use of automated border checks, travelling will become smoother and safer for all. The new system meets the highest standards of data and privacy protection, ensuring that travellers’ personal data remain protected and secure.”

By the end of the six-month process for the EES scheme, it is anticipated that the rollout will be complete., reports Birmingham Live. This gradual approach is deemed crucial to allow border authorities, the transport industry, and travellers to adapt to the new procedure step by step.

Published on 22/09/2025 – 16:37 GMT+2
•Updated
16:48

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EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič landed in Indonesia on Monday with the hope of closing a trade deal with Jakarta.

“The intention certainly is to finalise political negotiations for an EU-Indonesia trade agreement,” Commission deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill said.

Last July, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reached a political agreement with her Indonesian counterpart President Prabowo Subianto, confident of concluding the negotiation in September this year.

By closing such a deal, the EU would secure access to a new market of around 280 million people.

Bilateral trade in goods between EU and Indonesia reached €27.3 billion in 2024, with EU exports worth €9.7 billion and EU imports worth €17.5 billion. The bloc would also strengthen its position in the region, since Indonesia was the EU’s fifth-biggest ASEAN trading partner in 2024.

India considered a ‘tough’ negotiator 

Increasing trade access to new markets has become EU’s top priority following the decision of its historic trade partner the US to impose tariffs on EU imports.

Under a trade agreement reached in July by the Commission and the US administration, 15% tariffs apply to most EU goods, while 50% tariffs continue to apply to imports of EU steel and aluminium.

The EU has since stepped up efforts to strengthen economic ties with the rest of the world.

It reached a political deal with the Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – in December, which if approved by EU member states and MEPs would create a free trade area covering 780 million people.

The Commission is also aiming to finalise a landmark agreement with India this year. The talks have accelerated at the beginning of September with the Agriculture file reaching the negotiation table. But as Šefčovič noted on 12 September, New Delhi is a “tough” negotiator, and a swift outcome is not guaranteed.

Published on 15/09/2025 – 15:34 GMT+2
•Updated
15:53

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A French liberal MEP has gathered signatures from 20 other lawmakers for a letter seen by Euronews calling on the European Commission to review its commitment made under the EU-US trade agreement to purchase US energy.

In the document— soon to be sent to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen—the MEPs led by Christophe Grudler of Renew call on the EU executive to reconsider its pledge to buy $750 billion worth of US energy products over the next three years.

These products include liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, nuclear fuels, and small modular reactors (SMRs). The signatories argue the deal will undermine the EU’s climate goals, industrial competitiveness, and strategic sovereignty.

“Increasing LNG imports from US shale gas directly undermines our climate agenda and our methane emissions regulation,” the letter says, adding: “LNG is highly polluting when liquefied, shipped across the Atlantic and regasified. Such dependence is a climate time-bomb.”

The initiative was launched by Christophe Grudler, a French MEP from the liberal Renew group.

The letter also warns that beyond energy concerns, the deal risks exposing the EU to “political blackmail”, the US demanding changes to EU climate policies, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, under which the bloc will apply levies on the carbon footprint of foreign imports from 1 January 2026.

The energy purchase commitment forms part of the EU-US agreement reached over the summer.

Some MEPs view the arrangement as deeply unbalanced, given that the US continues to impose 15% tariffs on EU goods, while the EU has agreed to make major investments in the US, including in the energy and defence sectors.

‘Economic imbalance’

In their letter to the Commission, MEPs also slam what they describe as the “economic imbalance” created by the pledge to purchase $250 billion’s worth of energy over three years. 

The letter describes this figure as “astronomical” adding: “To put this in perspective, the entire Competitiveness Fund proposed in the MFF amounts to €362 billion over seven years. How can we ask European companies to massively buy from the US while urging them to strengthen our competitiveness at home?”

The inclusion of US small modular reactors in the deal has also raised concerns among MEPs.

“At a time when the EU is building its own SMR supply chain, opening the door to US competitors is total nonsense.”

They further stress that commercial decisions “should remain the prerogative of companies, not be preempted by political pledges.”

Published on
03/09/2025 – 8:00 GMT+2

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MEPs are set to complain widely about the EU-US trade agreement when they confront Commission trade chief and agreement negotiator Sabine Weyand during a Parliamentary hearing on the deal on Wednesday.  

“While clearly we understand that the EU has chosen stability, diplomacy and to keep a cool-minded approach, however this cannot translate into the acceptance of an unfair and asymmetric trade relation with our American friends and partners,” Italian MEP Brando Benifei.

“As it is now, it is not acceptable,” Benifei told Euronews, speaking on behalf of his Socialists & Democrats group.

Last week the Commission proposed reducing tariffs on most US industrial goods, as well as less sensitive agricultural products, to 0%, as it began implementing the agreement reached with the US at the end of August. At the same time, the agreement provides that the EU will pay a 15% tariff on its exports to the US.

The Commission’s legislative proposal must now navigate its way through the Parliament and the EU Council for approval.

The Greens are also speaking out against an unbalanced agreement and rejecting the Commission’s argument that it will ensure stable trade relations with the US.

“The deal has major disadvantages for the EU,” German Green MEP Anna Cavazzini said, adding: “The only ‘gain’ that the Commission is selling us is stability. However, Trump’s incessant demands and new tariff threats are turning this process into a waste of time.”

Just after the agreement was concluded, US President Donald Trump threatened countries with digital legislation — like the EU — with tariffs, accusing them of directly targeting Big Tech.

According to the German MEP, the proposal to reduce EU tariffs on US imports will clearly “not have a smooth sailing through the European Parliament.”

The agreement, which is still under discussion within the Parliament’s largest group, the centre-right EPP, has nonetheless failed to win the full support of some of its individual members within the parliamentary committee on trade.

“Capitulation”

“This is an outright capitulation — we’re committing to colossal sums for investments and pledges to purchase billions worth of chips and military equipment, while granting the US 0% tariffs,” French MEP Celine Imart (EPP) said, “all this for the reindustrialisation of the US !”

Swedish MEP Jörgen Warborn, who coordinates the work of the EPP within the trade committee, is more cautious.

“It is hard to put yourself in the situation of the negotiators of the Commission,” he told Euronews, adding: “It is good that we have a framework agreement, because hopefully this can give us more stability. But at the same time, I don’t see the deal as balanced as I would have hoped it to be.”

Within Renew, the liberal group at the Parliament, some MEPs are also angry. The treatment granted to US agricultural products — benefiting from 0% tariffs or favourable quotas for certain items — is not going down well.

“I’m outraged by the whole situation. Yes, of course, there are the US’s promises when it comes to defence, but this agreement truly exposes our total dependence, which forces us to sign just about anything,” Belgian MEP Benoit Cassart (Renew), who is also a farmer, said, adding: “I disagree with those who think the EU has ‘won’ just because things didn’t turn out worse. If that’s the logic, then next time the US will start at 50% and we’ll end up with 40% tariffs on all our exports.”

French MEP Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, who coordinates Renew in the committee, considers too that “there is a widespread feeling that we [the EU] failed to put any real leverage on the table.”

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The EU Commission made its opening move in implementing the trade agreement reached on August 21 with the United States, but the legislative proposal for tariff reductions on a wide range of US industrial and agricultural products will face a tricky path through the European Parliament which will start considering the measure next week.

This legislative move should offer immediate relief to the EU automotive sector, as the US committed to retroactively lower its 27.5% tariffs on EU cars to 15% from 1 August, once the Commission proposed the legislation. 

Among the concessions granted to the US, the Commission’s proposal provides for reducing tariffs to 0% on the vast majority of US industrial products – ranging from machinery to pharmaceutical products, some chemicals, plastics and fertilizers – for which the EU aims to break its dependence on Russia. The proposal also targets some agri-products, such as fruits, juices and certain seeds.

“This is not costly for us,” a senior EU official said, pointing out that existing tariffs levied by the bloc on these products are very low.

The Commission has also declared privileged access to its market for certain agricultural products, whose tariffs will be reduced — such as certain vegetables, fruits and grape juices.

Tariff-rate quotas are also planned for 20 product groups, including pork (25,000 tonnes), dairy products (10,000 tonnes), cheese (10,000 tonnes), and soybeans (400,000 tonnes), which will benefit from 0% tariffs below the set thresholds.

Despite a trade agreement widely seen as heavily tilted in favour of the US — with the EU facing 15% tariffs under the deal — Brussels foresees the possibility of suspending these tariff advantages on US products if the US fails to implement the 21 August agreement, or if a sudden surge in US imports on the European market poses serious risks to EU industry.

The legislative proposal needs the buy-in of the European co-legislator, the European Parliament and the EU Council, which represents the member states.

MEPs responsible for monitoring trade issues will meet for what promises to be a heated session on 3 September, with some having criticised the deal as unbalanced. Sabine Weyand, Director-General of DG Trade and one of the chief negotiators, will attend to answer their questions.

“Politically, some MEPs saw the conclusion of the agreement as a humiliation and a surrender,” French liberal MEP Marie-Pierre Vedrenne told Euronews, adding: “Especially since we were promised predictability — yet Trump is already threatening tariffs on countries implementing digital legislation. The Commission is clearly uncomfortable.”

On top of the proposal on tariffs reduction, the MEPs are waiting for a second legislative proposal on the whole deal.

“We need to understand the agreement much better before we can be decisive and say yes or no,” Swedish MEP Jörgen Warborn (EPP) told Euronews, “I’m myself concerned because I have not yet understood whether the deal was compatible with WTO rules.”

According to WTO rules, any country that grants a preferential tariff to one country must extend those terms to others.

“There is a lot of turbulence when it comes to trade at these times. We need a rule-based space and not that the EU is part of breaking WTO rules,” Warborn added.

Within the S&D group, some are betting on the continuation of the negotiations to improve the deal.

“The deal is quite unbalanced and we need to see real effort from the EU Commission to obtain more exemptions and a clear path for an agreement on steel and aluminium,” a lawmaker from S&D said, adding: “Otherwise we should go back to the possible countermeasures.”

The deal published on August 21 does not address the aluminium and steel sectors, which remain subject to tariffs of up to 50%.

Published on
01/08/2025 – 15:53 GMT+2

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US President Donald Trump doesn’t appear willing to ease the pressure on German carmakers. The US executive order on reciprocal tariffs published just before 1 August stopped short of applying the 15% tariffs agreed by Trump and Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to US imports of EU vehicles.

Since 2 April, EU cars have been hit with 25% US tariffs under the section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act, which allows the US president to restrict imports of goods threatening US national security.

The deal concluded last Sunday with President Ursula von der Leyen was meant to apply the 15% tariffs to EU cars, and to exempt certain strategic products such as aircraft from tariffs, but neither proviso appears in the executive order.

The executive order imposes a blanket 15% tariff on EU goods to apply from 8 August. Goods already in transit before that date will enjoy the previous tariff rate of 10% until 5 October, the US order says. Any attempt to circumvent these tariffs will be penalized with a 40% duty on the goods concerned, the order adds.

Despite the apparent omissions from the order, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič welcomed “the first results of the EU–US deal”.

“This reinforces stability for businesses as well as trust in the transatlantic economy,” he said on X, adding: “EU exporters now benefit from a more competitive position.”

Šefčovič also said, however, that “the work continues”, referring to ongoing negotiations on a joint statement intended to formalise the political trade agreement reached on July 27.

Diverging narratives

The Commission and the US administration are struggling to agree on a joint text, and up to now have pushed diverging narratives on the deal.

Uncertainty remains over the fate of steel and aluminium, currently hit by 50% US tariffs, which, according to the Commission, are expected to soon be subject to lower tariff-rate quotas. Negotiations are also ongoing over a series of exemptions, as pressure mounts from the EU wine and spirits industry.

In a factsheet published on Monday, the US also claimed that the EU committed not to apply telecommunications network usage fees in an upcoming Digital Network Act, which is currently being disputed between EU telecom companies and US tech giants in Brussels.

On Thursday the Commission noted that a white paper on digital networks published in February 2024 assessed that imposing a network fee was “not a viable solution”. “Such an exemption would not apply to US company only,” a Commission spokesperson said.

Published on
30/07/2025 – 18:23 GMT+2

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French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU Commission to rebalance EU’s trade relationship with the US, particularly in the services sector, just days after a deal was reached between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump.

“To be free, one must be feared. We haven’t been feared enough,” Macron said during a meeting of the French council of ministers, French media reported, calling for “relentless efforts to rebalance trade, particularly in the services sector.”

“This is not the end of the story, and we will not stop here,” the French president added, as the EU Commission is still negotiating exemptions to the 15% US tariffs on EU imports agreed on 27 July.

Since the beginning of the tariff war with the US, France has consistently favoured a hardline approach, brandishing the threat of the anti-coercion instrument — an EU tool that allows foreign companies to be denied access to public procurement, licenses, or intellectual property rights.

The tool would enable the EU to target US services, where the bloc runs a trade deficit with the US, unlike in goods.

Countermeasures

The EU has also adopted a package of countermeasures worth €95 billion targeting US products, but these were suspended until 4 August. The Commission is now awaiting a US executive order confirming that a 15% blanket tariff will apply to imports of EU goods as of 1 August.

“Of course the measures are there,” an EU official said, adding: “They have been approved by the member states. So if there was a need, we could always bring them back on Tuesday [4 August]. But that is not the assumption from which we start this next phase in transatlantic relations.”

The French President acknowledged that negotiations with the US had been difficult, and welcomed exemptions secured for the aerospace sector, considered strategic for Paris. France also hopes that the Commission will manage to negotiate an exemption for wine and spirits, which represent France’s leading export market to the US.

“We are continuing to negotiate with the Americans so that, if possible, spirits, perhaps wine, and other sectors can be exempted. It’s a work in progress,” French Economy Minister Éric Lombard told French radio on Wednesday.

On top of aircraft, Von der Leyen on Sunday announced that zero-for-zero tariffs will apply to certain chemicals, generic drugs, semiconductor-making equipment, some agricultural products (but with the exclusion of all sensitive products like beef, rice, ethanol, sugar or poultry), some natural resources and critical raw materials.

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After weeks of negotiations, the EU and the US reached an agreement on Sunday in the tariff dispute that has split the two since mid-March: the EU will face a 15% tariff on its exports to the US, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced.

“We have stabilised on a single 15% tariff rate for the vast majority of EU exports. This rate applies across most sectors, including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals,” she said, adding “this 15% is a clear ceiling – no stacking, all-inclusive – so it gives much-needed clarity for our citizens and businesses.”

Cars, which have been subject to a 27.5% tariff for several months, will now face a 15% tariff. A modest victory for German manufacturers.

Von der Leyen also announced that zero-for-zero tariffs will apply to certain chemicals, certain generic drugs, semiconductor-making equipment, some agricultural products (but with the exclusion of all sensitive products like beef, rice, ethanol, sugar or poultry), some natural resources and critical raw materials.

However, uncertainties remain regarding the details and the sectors covered by the 15% rate, the legal certainty of the deal reached on Sunday and the purchase and investment commitment of the EU.

1. No legally binding agreement yet

The agreement reached will not be legally binding for both parties for some time. When exactly remains uncertain. A joint statement is expected to be released by 1 August— the deadline set by US President Donald Trump when he threatened to impose a 30% tariff on the EU.

“It will be a relatively light joint statement” an EU official said, adding that the EU is also awaiting the adoption of an executive order by the US that would bring some certainty to what has been agreed. Until then, negotiations on exemptions to the 15% tariffs will continue.

“Given that we want to make sure that the US delivers on its parts quickly, we will also want to deliver quickly on our part,” the official said, adding: “We are currently looking into the exact legal basis together with Council and the European Parliament.” A bilateral international agreement between the EU and the US would take time, so other instruments might be considered by the Commission.

2. Which EU products are exempt?

Aircraft will be exempt from the 15% tariffs, meaning they will be sent to the US with no tariffs. The production lines in these sectors are too intertwined for the US to risk making their aircraft more expensive.

However, the EU will keep negotiating other exemptions, with wine and spirits high on its agenda. Since the beginning of the negotiation, EU industries have continuously warned about the consequences of a deal that would penalise them.

“We truly believe the trade of wine is of great benefit for both EU and US companies, and it must be included in the 0-for-0 tariff arrangement,” Marzia Varvaglione, president of the Comite europeen des entreprises de vin said in a statement on Sunday, adding: “It’s not just the EU side saying this—our US counterparts have also been strong advocates for protecting this vital exchange.”

3. Steel and aluminium: A quota system still to be negotiated

The US currently imposes 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. This will stay until both sides agree on a quota system. The Commission remains confident of its leverage in the coming talks however. “I think that is where economics kick in and business interests kick in,” the same EU official said, adding that the bloc’s provision of speciality steel is something that “US manufacturing badly needs”.

But the European steel industry appeared rattled on Monday. “If a zero tariff on our traditional exports to the US is confirmed, we would be going in the right direction,” Axel Eggert, director general of the European Steel Association (EUROFER) said, but he added: “There is no clarity yet. As always, the devil is in the detail.”

The uncertainty is offset by a commitment of the EU and the US to jointly fight global overcapacities, mainly coming from China.

4. Energy: The EU’s purchase commitment will depend on its industry.

The EU committed to buy $750 billions’ worth of US energy over the next three years. That’s to say $250 billion annually directed towards US liquefied natural gas, oil and nuclear industries. “We’ve been looking at our needs also in terms of the phasing out of energy imports from Russia,” the EU official said.

However the official conceded that there is no public commitment to delivering on this since the EU and its institutions will not be doing the actual buying. “We can help with aggregating demand and facilitating certain things, and we can look at where there are maybe bottlenecks in infrastructure,” the official said.

The EU also committed to purchasing US AI microchips on top of the $750 billion.

5. EU investment in the US will depend on business

EU companies will invest $600 billion in the US, according to the deal. But here again, there’s no public authority that will be monitoring this, as it is the case in the Japan-US deal reached on 22 July where investments are equity, loans and guarantees from state-run agencies.

However the Commission ensures it had detailed contacts and discussions with different business associations and companies in order to see what their investment intentions were.

“We have basically been aggregated what we know about investment intentions of private companies. And the way this will be expressed in the joint statement is that it is an intention,” another EU official said, adding: “So it is not something that the EU as a public authority can guarantee.”

Published on
24/07/2025 – 11:44 GMT+2

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The member states on Thursday approved the list of retaliatory tariffs proposed by the European Commission to counter US trade measures, with only Hungary voting against.

The list includes an initial package of measures adopted in early April and targets products including aircraft, cars and car parts, orange juice, poultry, soybeans, steel and aluminium, yachts.

Bourbon whiskey was also included in the list despite intense lobbying by France and Ireland which fear US retaliation on wine and spirits. EU Industries were also consulted before the Commission proposed the list to the member states.

The countermeasures will only enter into force if no deal is reached by the 1 August, the deadline set by US president Donald Trump from when he’s set to impose 30% tariffs on EU imports.

Anti-coercion instrument 

A qualified majority of member states also appears willing to trigger the anti-coercion instrument, which would enable the EU to hit US services if no deal is reached.

Germany was for a long time resistant to using this powerful bazooka, but has now joined France, which has long been a strong advocate of the anti-coercion instrument.

Following a dinner on Wednesday between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, a source from the Élysée stated the shared vision of both leaders on the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the US.

“They hoped for a satisfactory outcome to the discussions that would safeguard the EU’s interests,” the source said, adding “while simultaneously accelerating work on countermeasures — including the anti-coercion instrument — in coordination with the Commission, should an agreement not be reached.”

The US currently impose 50% on EU steel and aluminium, 25% on cars and 10% on all imports.

Published on
10/07/2025 – 17:38 GMT+2

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The EU expects trade relations with the US to remain difficult, even once a principle agreement is reached to resolve the tariff dispute between the two transatlantic partners, according to EU diplomats.

“We are working non-stop to find an initial agreement with the US – to keep tariffs as low as possible, and to provide the stability that businesses need,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday, adding: “But we are also not naïve. We know the relationship with the US may not return to what it once was.”

The EU is awaiting a decision from US President Donald Trump, who has an EU-US trade agreement on his desk with a view to resolve the tariff dispute that has been ongoing since mid-March, according to remarks by his trade secretary Howard Lutnick in the US media.

The US currently imposes 50% tariffs on EU steel and aluminium, 25% on cars and 10% on all EU imports.

But though a framework agreementnow appears within reach, that will only constitute a first step toward a more comprehensive trade deal, and what comes next is causing concern among Europeans.

Having long advocated a zero-rated tariff offer on all industrial goods from both sides of the Atlantic, the Commission has now settled on a baseline tariff rate of 10% on EU goods arriving in the US. Exemptions may apply to aircraft and spirits, but progress on negotiations on other strategic sectors—such as cars, aluminium, steel, and pharmaceuticals—remains faltering.

The EU diplomat said that member states will not be satisfied with the agreement in principle said now to be in reach.

“Most people expect a deal, but if there’s a deal that doesn’t bring us to a better place from a European perspective than where we were before, we’ll have increased tariffs, it will affect negatively trade between the EU and the US,” he said.

Another EU diplomat predicted difficult negotiations among the 27 EU countries. Once the agreement in principle is approved, each country will take out its calculator to assess how its economy is affected, and what will need to be negotiated in a more comprehensive agreement to limit the negative impact on its trade.

In the short term, tensions could be high over whether the EU should implement the €21 billion retaliation list targeting US products, which has been suspended until July 14. Some countries, like Germany and Italy—highly exposed to trade with the US—favour a flexible, non-escalatory approach. Others, like France, want to show strength.

A second retaliation list is also reportedly ready. According to diplomats, the amount proposed by the Commission—€95 billion worth of US products—has been reduced. However, the Commission said that its implementation has not yet been determined.

The budget airline has announced a change to luggage limits for free baggage – which will come into action in just a few weeks – here’s everything you need to know

Europe’s biggest budget airline, Ryanair, has revealed a huge change to luggage limits for free baggage, set to be implemented in weeks.

At present, the airline allows a carry-on bag measuring 40 x 25 x 20cm on board at no extra charge, offering a volume of 20 litres. But soon, travellers will be able to pack a little more generously as the new dimensions will change to 40 x 30 x 20cm – effectively increasing the volume to 24 litres.

This increase in the free allowance is a response to an initiative by the European Commission to encourage airlines across Europe to standardise. In a statement, Ryanair confirmed the change and said it would be introduced in time for the summer holidays in a few weeks.

A spokesperson said: “Ryanair’s current free ‘personal bag’ size is 40 x 25 x 20cm. Following the new EU minimum bag size of 40 x 30 x 15cm, Ryanair will increase its max ‘personal bag’ dimensions to 40 x 30 x 20cm, so that Ryanair’s ‘personal bag’ allowance is bigger than the EU standard.

READ MORE: Ryanair axes 170 flights as France air traffic control strikes spark holiday chaos

“This change will be implemented over the coming weeks, as our airport bag sizers are adjusted.” The spokesperson confirmed that the expanded luggage limit would be free, reports Belfast Live.

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has been in discussions with the transport commissioner in Brussels, Adina Vălean, about making life simpler for passengers. The organisation says that “all A4E airlines will roll out the guaranteed dimensions and have them in place by the end of the 2025 summer season.”

Ourania Georgoutsakou, the organisation’s managing director, added: “This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe. From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”

Despite the new “standardised” baggage dimensions, most airlines are set to carry on with their current practices. British Airways, Jet2, and easyJet already offer allowances that surpass these dimensions.

According to The Independent, an easyJet spokesperson confirmed their dimensions will remain the same, at 45 x 36 x 20cm, giving a maximum volume of 32 litres. British Airways and Jet2 currently offer a slightly similar size of 40 x 30 x 15cm for a small bag that fits underneath the seat in front.

Additionally, British Airways also offers the option of taking a 56 x 45 x 25cm cabin bag onboard for free. As it stands, Ryanair appears to be the only major airline set to make the change.

The adjustment in rules will require recalibration at all airport sizing stations, which means passengers with previously acceptable luggage will now have to shop for new ones.

Last month saw MEPs advocating for airlines to allow two pieces of cabin luggage per passenger. However, airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air staunchly oppose this, citing impracticality.

The EU Parliament’s transport committee has also endorsed an amendment aiming to scrap charges for small carry-on items. Under a prospective new EU regulation, passengers would have the right to carry handbags up to 7kg free of additional fees.

A number of airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, presently charge extra for larger cabin bags intended for the overhead locker as part of their standard fares, with only a small under-seat bag included in the basic ticket price.

Under the proposed policy, passengers would be entitled to one free cabin bag weighing up to 7kg and not exceeding 100cms in size, in addition to a smaller personal item that can fit under the seat. This policy would apply to all flights to and from the EU, including routes between the EU and the UK.

When asked for a comment, Ryanair referred to a statement by Airlines for Europe regarding the EU’s plans, stating: “Airlines for Europe (A4E) today confirmed that its member airlines have started applying the guaranteed set of dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm for the item of cabin baggage that usually is placed under the seat in front- the ‘personal item’- agreed by member states last month.

“The agreement reached on June 5, 2025, sets out the dimensions of the personal item, which passengers can already bring into the cabin at no extra cost. It is defined as an unchecked bag with “dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm”.”

All A4E airlines are set to introduce guaranteed cabin-bag dimensions by the end of the 2025 summer season. Carriers will still have the freedom to allow larger personal items, as many already do.

READ MORE: Large garden parasol with LED solar lights reduced by £85 at little-known retailer

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The EU and the US are moving toward an agreement that would take the form of a headline “political understanding” to resolve their tariffs dispute before a July 9th deadline, rather than a comprehensive deal, according to several diplomats and an EU official.

“If there is to be an agreement, the most realistic outcome would likely be a general framework or a ‘principle agreement’ — something that, due to time constraints, would resemble the kind of understanding the US has reached with the UK or even with China,” a senior EU diplomat said, adding: “This would not be a detailed, comprehensive trade deal, but rather a political understanding laying the groundwork for more concrete arrangements.”

The potential agreement was discussed at a behind closed doors meeting in Brussels on Monday, with European Commission officials briefing EU ambassadors about the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the US. Ambassadors were also informed of a new US counterproposal which offered  “nothing very concrete”, one of the diplomats said.

The EU and the US are under pressure from the looming 9th of July deadline, after which US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on EU imports if negotiations fail.

Since mid-March, Washington has implemented a new policy that calls into question its trade relations with partners across the globe. The US currently imposes tariffs of 50% on EU steel and aluminium, 25% on cars, and 10% on all EU imports.

After weeks of fruitless discussions, negotiations between the Commission — which holds the mandate to negotiate on behalf of the 27 member states in trade matters — and the Trump administration began in mid-June, but their outcome remains in doubt.

The Commission initially proposed a zero-tariff agreement on industrial products and an offer to purchase strategic goods such as US liquefied natural gas. But it now appears to be coming to terms with a deal that would maintain a baseline 10% tariff on EU imports. Lower tariffs might then be negotiated for strategic sectors such as aircraft, for which transatlantic production lines are interdependent.

However, member states are divided over a potential deal with a baseline 10% tariff. Germany and Italy are reportedly in favour, while countries like Ireland and France remain more sceptical.

“If the US maintain 10% tariffs, there will have to be compensation on goods and products imported from the US,” French president Emmanuel Macron stated on 26 June after an EU summit, adding: “The levy must be the same — 10% for 10%, or the equivalent of 10%.”

A second EU diplomat told Euronews that the agreement could be deliberately short in order for the two parties to reach further and more detailed agreements in different sectors.

“It is not excluded that some sectors could be addressed while others are not,” an EU official said.

Commission officials also asked ambassadors to consider several scenarios, including the possibility of an “asymmetrical agreement” in which the EU would make more concessions than the US, the prospect of no deal, and the option of the EU triggering retaliatory measures.

During the same meeting with the member states, the Commission indicated that a second list of countermeasures proposed on 8 May was still under development, according to a third EU diplomat. This list was subject to feedback from industry over several weeks and member states will still need to formally adopt it.

The proposed list targets €95 billions’ worth of US products. It would come on top of a first list or retaliation which covers  €21 billions’ worth of US products and was suspended until the 14 July after Donald Trump announced a 90-Day truce in the trade dispute.

A team of Commission experts is in Washington this week to advance the negotiation.

The EU’s trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is set to travel there on Wednesday for a meeting on Thursday with his US counterparts, US secretary of commerce Howard William Lutnick  and US trade representative Jamieson Lee Greer.

On Monday, Šefčovič confirmed that the bloc had received “the first draft of the [US] proposals for the eventual agreement in principle.”

Published on
19/06/2025 – 17:15 GMT+2

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US tech giants Apple and Meta will not face sanctions immediately for failure to meet obligations under the EU’s digital rulebook, an EU spokesperson told Euronews.

In April, the Commission fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million for non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and gave both companies 60 days to bring their practices in line with EU rules. That grace period ends on 26 June, after which they risk periodic penalty payments.

According to the spokesperson, financial penalties will not be applied automatically but only after the Commission conducts a preliminary analysis and shares its findings with the two tech giants as part of an ongoing exchange process.

Apple was fined €500 million for preventing developers from directing users to alternative offers or content outside its platform—an action deemed contrary to DMA rules.

Meta received a €200 million fine for its “pay or consent” model, which the Commission found problematic. The model forces users to either consent to the use of their personal data for targeted advertising or pay for an ad-free subscription—limiting user choice.

In response, Meta introduced a revised version of its personalised advertising model in November 2024, which uses less personal data. The Commission is still evaluating this system while continuing its discussions with the company.

Compared to past antitrust enforcement, the fines issued in April were relatively modest. Under former EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, tech giants were subject to more substantial penalties.

In April, EU officials explained that the lower fines reflected the short duration of the violations since the DMA implementation started in 2023 and the Commission’s current focus on achieving compliance rather than punishing breaches.

US digital services have been drawn into the trade war that has been escalating between the US and the EU since mid-March. In response to US tariffs, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has threatened to impose a tax on digital advertising revenues.

Meanwhile, a report by the US Trade Representative, published in early April, labelled EU digital regulations as a barrier to US exports.

The DMA is designed to prevent dominant digital platforms from abusing their market power. It aims to open up digital ecosystems controlled by Big Tech and ensure users enjoy real freedom of choice online.

Published on 18/06/2025 – 18:37 GMT+2•Updated
18:43

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The conflict in the Middle East will further worsen the global economic outlook, already strained by ongoing trade disputes, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (FMI) has told Euronews in an interview.

“Being hit by a trade war has consequences. We have projected a decline in global growth by half a percentage point,” Kristalina Georgieva said, adding: “What we witness now is more turbulence in the Middle East, which adds to uncertainty and therefore is bad for business.”

Since Donald Trump’s return to power as leader of the world’s largest economy, international trade has been disrupted by a wave of tariffs imposed by the US administration on its global partners.

Mexico and Canada were the initial targets, followed by a prolonged standoff between the US and China, which saw reciprocal tariffs between the pair soar to more than 100%.

On 2 April— a day he dubbed “Liberation Day”—Trump imposed tariffs on a wide range of countries, including the EU. He then declared a 90-day truce, set to expire on 9 July.

Negotiations are currently underway with the EU, which currently faces tariffs of 50% on steel and aluminum, 25% on cars, and 10% on all its exports to the US.

However, the director of the IMF, which is responsible for financial stability across the world and facilitate global trade, admitted that “the global economy has proven to be remarkably resilient to shocks, and that resilience continues.”

In her view, economic uncertainty is becoming the new normal.

“We live in a more shock-prone world, a world of higher uncertainty,” Georgieva said, adding: “For this world, countries need to work hard to be more resilient. Do reforms at home that would make your economies stronger.”

Georgieva, a former vice-president of the European Commission, also expressed optimism with the economic outlook despite the bleak growth figures.

She considered that the recent trade agreement between China and the US and the deal Trump has brokered with the UK to be good signs, saying: “We are in a better place.”

In an uncertain context, she also sees opportunities to be seized—an outlook shared by the European Commission, which is pursuing a strategy of diversifying its trading partners by expanding the number of trade agreements worldwide.

“In Europe, we see an increase in bilateral and plurilateral agreements, which I expect to be a big feature of the future of trade globally,” she told Euronews, adding that it is a great moment for Europe, “a defender of rules-based” global trade exchanges.

Holidaymakers are being warned that they could face fines or criminal prosecution for bringing an innocent sandwich into an EU country due to strict meat and dairy rules

British holidaymakers gearing up for a European getaway this summer have been given a stark warning about a deceptively simple blunder that could put them at loggerheads with EU border officials.

British travellers risk incurring hefty fines or possibly even facing legal action if they unwittingly transport something as innocuous as a prepackaged sandwich into an EU member state, thanks to stringent import restrictions on meat and dairy products.

Maryanne Sparks from European Waterways has alerted UK nationals: “If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you – this includes those you would find in a meal deal sandwich.”

In light of Brexit, Britain has been designated as a third country outside the EU, meaning British citizens must adhere to the same tight rules faced by other non-EU nations.

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Maryanne warned further: “When arriving in the EU, you may have to undergo official controls by the authorities.

“If you are carrying any undeclared meat or dairy products, they will be confiscated and destroyed. Additionally, you may be fined or face criminal prosecution.”, reports the Express.

The European Commission has highlighted concerns that items containing “meat, milk or their products” carry significant risks for animal health across the bloc.

Providing advice to travellers, Maryanne clarified: “It is safe to consume these sandwiches in the airport and on the plane, but they must be disposed of either before you get off the flight or as soon as you enter the terminal at the other side.”

Travellers are warned: “To avoid fines or potential criminal prosecution, ensure that any meat or dairy products are not carried into the EU.”

However, there are a few exceptions to these rules. Parents can breathe a sigh of relief as powdered infant milk and baby food are allowed.

Additionally, you can bring up to 20kg of fish or 2kg of honey, as well as live oysters, mussels, and snails.

It’s essential to note that these restrictions only apply to individuals entering the EU from non-member countries.

If you’re travelling between EU nations or arriving from countries like Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, or Iceland, you’re exempt from these rules.

As the holiday season kicks off, experts advise Brits to carefully inspect their luggage and refrain from carrying prohibited food items to avoid any issues or penalties at the border.