Maria Tadeo
@mariatad
Europe correspondent @Grand_Continent
Trump 30% threat makes 15% look acceptable, Bernard Arnault going public this week saying a deal is best said a lot about corporate Europe and now von der Leyen confirms she’s flying out to Scotland. A deal isn’t done but the stage is set for it.
Following a good call with @POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.
Spain, Ireland and Norway did so last year. At the time, it was largely dismissed as unrealistic, lacking serious diplomatic viability. This is a big change.
Big news. Macron says France will recognise a Palestinian state. He will do this formally at the United Nations GA in New York in September
Mood is EU-USA moving closer to a deal with a base rate 15% tariff as landing zone. Sector exemptions pending - and that’s important. Commission initially pitched zero for zero tariffs. That’s a long way. If no deal, Brussels sees 93 billion worth of USA goods targeted with…
This is a headache for the EU. Commissioner Kos spoke with the new Ukrainian PM today, argued move would be seen as a step back and rule of law is at the core of accession. Brussels determined to show Ukraine’s accession process is merit-based, not political. It’s hard to…
Extraordinary pushback from the European Union which until now presented Ukraine as the model student in the very complex process of accession to the EU. Commissioner Kos who runs the file:
Extraordinary pushback from the European Union which until now presented Ukraine as the model student in the very complex process of accession to the EU. Commissioner Kos who runs the file:
Seriously concerned over today’s vote in the Rada. The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back. Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO, are essential for 🇺🇦’s EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations.
Last week, a Catholic Church was hit in Gaza prompting a furious reaction from the Italian govt. Israeli authorities apologized. Today, Rome signs a declaration calling for an “end to the war now”. Italy, one of the strongest supporters of Israel at the EU level. The tone has…
UK joins EU price cap move. "UK and EU lower the crude Oil Price Cap, striking at the heart of Putin’s oil revenues. New measure will drive down the market value of Russian oil, disrupting the flow of oil money into Putin’s war chest."
I spoke with EU sanctions envoy O’Sullivan who told me: «there’s no easing of sanctions - the 18th package is one of the strongest. You’ll see it». This morning: two Chinese banks listed, a Russian-owned India refinery, price cap revised. geopolitique.eu/en/2025/07/15/…
The Commission has presented what it calls a bigger and smarter budget for a rough world. Two trillion euros. The real number is less if you look at it as a starting point for negotiations, price adjustments, repayments and pending own resources (good luck). Fit for Draghi’s…
It’s a fair observation - but the quality of a negotiation is measured by the outcome. Over the weekend, a minister told me “the 30% is happening because we’re not caving”. Ultimately, this deal flies or flops based on the level of symmetry & regulatory autonomy, not a deadline.…
5% for NATO + 30% tariff. Excellent negotiation.
European trade commission (body language of a funeral on Monday morning) puts it best: under a 30% tariff regime, the transatlantic trade relation disappears as we know it. It’s prohibitive. It’s gone.
Los aranceles 2.0 de Trump tienen un triple objetivo. El primero, crear un flujo de caja para financiar la agenda MAGA. Segundo, reforzar el sector productivo USA (desmantelando al resto) y el alineamiento político. La encrucijada europea. legrandcontinent.eu/es/2025/07/12/…
Von der Leyen says EU to suspend countermeasures to early August, while preparing retaliatory measures in case of no deal. Asked about the anticoertion tool, she says it’s designed for “extraordinary situations - and we’re not there yet”.
European ambassadors meeting tomorrow 1530pm Brussels. French suggest time to speed up countermeasures, including the anti-coercion tool. Spanish say response should be firm. Yet several MS believe the 30% tariff is “part of a pressure strategy, it’s a tactic….to justify the…
In letter, Trump announces 30% base tariff on the European Union. That compares to initial tariff rate of 20% on Liberation Day. After weeks of talks, the rate would go up and doesn’t mention any sectoral relief. If this applies August 1st, the EU would be worse off vs April. So…
In letter, Trump announces 30% base tariff on the European Union. That compares to initial tariff rate of 20% on Liberation Day. After weeks of talks, the rate would go up and doesn’t mention any sectoral relief. If this applies August 1st, the EU would be worse off vs April. So…
I can’t spend too much time in Rome. It makes me want to quit everything, move here and go by the name of Flaminia.
Brazil was set for a 10% tariff on Liberation Day. Now it’s heading for 50% in biggest jump yet. What changed? Trump sided with Bolsonaro and Lula argued the BRICS don’t need an emperor. Trump vs Lula, the battle royale. This has nothing to do with trade deficits, it’s politics.
President Trump: "We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless."
Spain is withdrawing its candidacy to lead the eurogroup, per sources. Vote due today. El ministro Carlos Cuerpo retirará su candidatura al eurogrupo según informan fuentes al no contar con la mayoría necesaria. El ministerio habla de mantener la unidad dentro del eurogrupo.
Spain will put forward @carlos_cuerpo as a candidate. Madrid argues it’s time for new ideas, new impetus. Spanish were clear they’d only put a candidate forward if he could win. Madrid believes it can gather votes and - as I understand - Sánchez also tested waters informally…