Brussels

The European Union is divided over allowing Serbia to advance in its membership process, with the Commission supporting it as a geopolitical tool. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Donald Trump was right during a summit in Ankara. The European Anti-Fraud Office has warned about counterfeit condoms entering the bloc.

Ships will face higher carbon fees under new EU rules aimed at closing a loophole. The move to strengthen emissions charges could lead to tensions with trading partners.

Marine Le Pen announced her 2027 French presidential bid, ending hopes in Brussels that Jordan Bardella would succeed her as National Rally leader. EU officials fear a Le Pen or Bardella presidency could disrupt negotiations on the bloc's budget and defense cooperation, with Bardella seen as more pragmatic but both figures posing challenges to EU consensus.

The European Union is shifting from viewing economic interdependence with China as a source of mutual prosperity to using trade, investment, and technology as tools of strategic competition. The article cautions against weaponizing the EU's market in this geopolitical rivalry.

The European Union is shifting from viewing economic interdependence with China as a source of mutual prosperity to using trade, investment, and technology as tools of strategic competition. The article warns that this shift reflects a new logic in an era of geopolitical rivalry, moving away from past principles of open markets and multilateralism.

The article discusses Pedro Lourtie, head of cabinet for European Council President António Costa, who established backchannels with Moscow. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is attempting to revive a rejected bill on child sexual abuse material using a rare EU procedure. A document related to allegations of a Hungarian spy ring in Brussels is also mentioned.

Brussels has rejected the UK's request for a decision-making role in the EU, further delaying a deal to reset post-Brexit relations.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's 2026 Brussels speech highlighted the Trump administration's perceived abandonment of U.S. commitment to European security, aiming to shift defense burden to Europe and withdraw troops despite Europe's increased military efforts. Hegseth emphasized a push for a balanced NATO alliance with Europe.

The EU has ended a customs exemption for low-value imports from China, while agreeing with Beijing to monitor trade flows and improve access to rare earth materials.

Italy reduced its deficit and regained credibility with Brussels and the bond market, but this fiscal discipline has not translated into economic growth.

An historic heat wave has driven unprecedented demand for Chinese-made air conditioners in Europe, complicating Brussels' efforts to rebalance trade with Beijing.

Belgium's Matongé district, a hub for the Congolese diaspora, celebrated the DR Congo vs. England match, with supporters viewing the team's strong performance as a victory despite a narrow defeat. The match, the biggest for DR Congo since 1974, highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Belgium and DR Congo, shaped by colonial rule. Congolese fans in Brussels outnumbered and out-enthusiased English supporters.

A Hungarian spy ring operated from the country’s embassy in Brussels, targeting EU officials between 2013 and 2016. The European Commission investigation confirmed the spy ring's existence and found intensified activities from 2015, though no serious security breaches were reported. Olivér Várhelyi, then Hungary’s EU ambassador and now a commissioner, denied knowledge of the alleged espionage.

Brussels is facing mounting pressure to suspend new post-Brexit border rules for British holidaymakers to prevent summer travel chaos and airport queues exceeding five hours. The proposed measures aim to avoid disruptions at borders and airports during peak travel periods.

The China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism was officially launched, aiming to manage their complex commercial relationship through dialogue. The inaugural meeting occurred in Brussels on June 29, with China’s Minister of Commerce Wang participating.

Hungary has rejected an EU proposal to exclude Ukrainian men of military age from temporary protection, stating it will continue accepting war refugees despite the EU's plan to extend the protection scheme until 2028.

Chinese air-conditioning manufacturers and e-commerce platforms are benefiting from Europe's heatwaves, with significant sales increases in countries like Germany, Italy, and France. Exports of portable air conditioners to Western Europe surged 70% in the first five months of 2026, and Chinese companies are prominent at a Munich solar and energy storage exhibition despite European efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese clean-energy hardware.

China and the European Union released a joint statement following talks between China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, and the EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, in Brussels. The statement outlines plans to establish a joint platform to monitor trade flows and create working groups to address bilateral economic tensions.

The EU and China have postponed a potential trade conflict, with Brussels demanding China reduce its trade deficit. A far-right petition in Italy is pressuring Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over a proposed mass deportation plan.

The European Union has declined to take a position in the political debate surrounding air conditioning use during a record-breaking heatwave moving eastward across Europe.

China states it can withstand a trade freeze ahead of negotiations with the European Union. State media is amplifying pressure in anticipation of high-stakes talks with Brussels.

European producers are urging Brussels to close a loophole related to Russian aluminium. The pharmaceutical sector is also pushing the EU to address a funding gap in life sciences.

European Union leaders face pressure to address Chinese competition as Volkswagen plans 100,000 job cuts, prompting the European Council to urge the European Commission to accelerate efforts against economic challenges linked to China.

The EU plans to impose a 15% tax on aluminium scrap exports to protect domestic producers and prevent the metal from being exported to the US and Asia.

Brussels has launched an antitrust probe into French drugmaker Sanofi, investigating whether the company conducted a misleading campaign against a rival flu vaccine manufacturer. The competition watchdog is examining potential anticompetitive practices related to flu vaccines.

EU ministers are preparing to reduce Brussels' control over cross-border electricity grids. The article also mentions that Europe's top criminal networks conceal their activities behind legal businesses and that carbon costs are causing disagreements among member states.

Energy ministers are set to limit Brussels' role in European grid planning. Months of re-drafting efforts by EU Council staff are expected to pay off.

Brussels remains a major hub for trade associations, which play a key role in connecting business interests with European policy-making. The environment for these associations is evolving rapidly, with a more political and complex policy landscape.

The EU's engagement with the Taliban in Brussels to discuss deporting Afghan migrants has sparked outrage among Afghan women, who view the talks as legitimizing a regime with severe human rights violations. Additional news includes earthquakes in Venezuela, a heatwave across Europe, UK political developments, and an Ebola case in France.

Brussels is accelerating the Draghi economic reform agenda. A Czech court has ruled that the president and prime minister can both attend a NATO summit.

Spain is suing the European Union over efforts to expand the nationality mix of Eurocrats. The country is among 13 with over-representation of EU civil servants in Brussels.

The European Union hosted a Taliban delegation in Brussels on June 23, with officials stating the talks were technical and did not imply diplomatic recognition. This marked the first EU-hosted engagement with the Taliban representatives.

Italy's right-wing Meloni government has introduced a controversial reform allowing hunters to act as 'bioregulators' to control wildlife. The 'shoot-'em-up' bill has sparked a conflict between the government and the European Union (Brussels).

Dassault won a legal claim in the European Court of Justice, which ruled against Brussels' exclusion of business jets from new environmental sustainability rules. The court decision allows private jets to be considered under updated green regulations.

The EU is expected to approve Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. David Ellison's media group is negotiating with Brussels to address regulatory concerns.

Brussels is proposing to simplify EU tax rules through a 'taxation omnibus' initiative, which the EU executive claims will save companies €8 billion annually. The move is described as a 'red tape bonfire' aimed at reducing administrative burdens.

An Afghan Taliban delegation met EU officials in Brussels for the first time to discuss migrant issues. Rights groups criticized the meeting as legitimizing the Taliban, while the EU defended it as a step toward easier repatriation of failed asylum seekers.

The EU and China face potential trade tensions amid anti-subsidy probes into Chinese green technology and retaliatory tariff threats, with fragile economic relations highlighted during the European Council meeting in Brussels. High-level discussions between European and Chinese officials suggest ongoing efforts to address the issue.

Chinese carmakers accelerated sales in Europe last month, with Geely Group ranking eighth among all manufacturers in May. Brussels is considering fresh tariffs to slow their expansion, according to industry data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

The article highlights Brussels' actions related to lead and methane, as well as grid planning efforts by capitals. Key topics include environmental and infrastructure measures.