logo
EU chief says Brussels 'ready' for US trade deal as negotiators to meet

EU chief says Brussels 'ready' for US trade deal as negotiators to meet

LBCIa day ago
The EU is "ready for a deal" with the United States, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday before negotiators met in Washington ahead of a July 9 deadline.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is currently in Washington and due to meet his U.S. counterparts later on Thursday. "We want a negotiated solution, but you all know that at the same time, we're preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached," von der Leyen told reporters in Aarhus, Denmark.
AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Unresolved' issues remain between China and France in brandy dispute: Paris
'Unresolved' issues remain between China and France in brandy dispute: Paris

LBCI

time4 hours ago

  • LBCI

'Unresolved' issues remain between China and France in brandy dispute: Paris

Paris on Friday praised steps taken by China to resolve a trade dispute concerning brandies but added that a number of "major issues" remained unresolved. "The decision by the Chinese authorities to close an investigation into European brandies, with a very broad scope of exemptions, is a positive step for many players in the cognac and Armagnac industry," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a statement to AFP. "Several major issues remain unresolved," he added. AFP

China imposes anti-dumping duties on European brandy as trade tensions rise
China imposes anti-dumping duties on European brandy as trade tensions rise

Nahar Net

time6 hours ago

  • Nahar Net

China imposes anti-dumping duties on European brandy as trade tensions rise

by Naharnet Newsdesk 6 hours China on Friday imposed anti-dumping duties on European brandy, most notably cognac produced in France, as trade tensions between Beijing and United States allies continue to rise. The tariffs, effective on Saturday, will range from 27.7% to 34.9%, China's Commerce Ministry said. They are to be in place for five years and will not be applied retroactively. The announcement came during a European visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi aimed at ironing out trade differences. Wang was set to visit Paris after stops in Brussels and Berlin. The anti-dumping duties are the result of a probe China launched last year into European cognac, after the European Union undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicles subsidies. "The investigative authority finally ruled that the dumping of related imported brandy from the EU has existed," read a statement by China's Commerce Ministry. "The domestic brandy industry faces a material threat of damage, and there is a causal relationship between the dumping and the substantial damage threat." Besides cognac, China has also launched investigations into European pork and dairy products. The brandy probe was the first and targeted mainly French makers of cognac and similar spirits such as Armagnac. China initially announced provisional tariffs of 30.6% to 39% on French cognac producer Remy Martin and other European brandies after a majority of E.U. countries approved duties on electric vehicles made in China. Wang was set to meet his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, later Friday in Paris. His European tour comes ahead of a China-EU summit to be focused on trade later this month in Beijing.

Top EU officials head to Moldova for key summit ahead of pivotal parliamentary election
Top EU officials head to Moldova for key summit ahead of pivotal parliamentary election

Nahar Net

time9 hours ago

  • Nahar Net

Top EU officials head to Moldova for key summit ahead of pivotal parliamentary election

by Naharnet Newsdesk 04 July 2025, 15:00 The European Union's top officials will travel to Moldova's capital on Friday for a key bilateral summit to strengthen ties months before the EU candidate member holds a pivotal parliamentary election. Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean will host the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa in Chisinau. Talks will focus on EU membership, security and trade. The leaders are expected to issue a joint statement afterward. Brussels agreed to open accession negotiations with Moldova for EU membership last year after granting official candidate status in June 2022, the same day as neighboring Ukraine. Some observers say Hungary's opposition to Ukraine's EU membership could hamper Moldova's progress, since both countries' applications are being processed concurrently. "Moldova is now at the most advanced stage of European integration in its modern history," said Daniel Voda, Moldova's government spokesperson. "The path toward the EU has become clear, irreversible, and politically embraced at the highest level." Brussels is keen to reaffirm its commitment to Moldova joining the 27-nation bloc with the approach of a parliamentary election Sep. 28. Allegations continue to circulate about Russia conducting a "hybrid war" against the former Soviet republic by interfering in elections and spreading disinformation. Moldova's pro-Western government led by the Party of Action and Solidarity, or PAS, has been in power since 2021. Moldova watchers have warned the upcoming parliamentary vote is in Moscow's crosshairs. The summit's agenda states EU leaders will reiterate their "unwavering commitment" to Moldova's sovereignty and security in the face of "Russia's continued hybrid attacks." Moscow has denied meddling in Moldova. Radu Magdin, a political analyst at Smartlink Communications, said the joint summit is "of top symbolic importance" and could bolster support for PAS in the upcoming elections. "The elections are pivotal, as a PAS government majority or a PAS-led coalition can be more credible for Brussels in terms of genuine intention of reform," he said. "The main threats to Moldova's accession process is any EU state opposition to Ukraine's entry." Moldova's membership in the EU is conditional on the country enacting reforms in policy areas, known as chapters, in areas such as the rule of law, fundamental rights and economic reforms, a process that will likely take years. To support such reforms, Brussels is providing Moldova with up to 1.9 billion euros (about $2.2 billion) between 2025 and 2027. "EU accession is not just a destination," said Voda, the government spokesperson. "It's a profound change for the benefit of the people." President Sandu was reelected in a heated election last year that saw her beat a Russia-friendly opponent in an election cycle beleaguered by claims of Russian interference and voter fraud. Moldovans last year also voted narrowly in favor of securing the country's EU path.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store