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Antonia Zimmermann

@zimmerfrau.bsky.social
5K followers 212 following 41 posts

Brussels-based journalist, moderator and writer • @table.media • ex-@POLITICO Europe • Trade • Sustainability • Human rights • DM for Signal

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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Are you looking for an enthusiastic moderator with experience emceeing sustainability, industrial policy and trade-related events for media, EU institutions and NGOs? As part of my journalistic freelance work, I am now offering policy event moderation in Brussels.
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 19/12/2025
The EU's behemoth trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc was — once again — kicked down the road today, as familiar internal rifts again proved stronger than the push to seal the deal.
politico.eu
EU delays Mercosur signing as 25-year curse drags on
Italy forcing a further postponement to the beleaguered trade deal leaves it open to being torpedoed by the European Parliament.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
When the world’s largest tobacco company needed help lifting international restrictions on its products, it enlisted an unlikely ally: the European Union, a leader in tobacco control. Read our joint investigation with @theexamination.org www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
politico.eu
EU officials acted to aid tobacco giant abroad, documents show
The EU’s actions were a “great help,” Philip Morris International said in an email.
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PubAffairs EU Debates, News & Opinions 🇪🇺 @pubaffairsbruxelles.eu · 24/11/2025
#Trade & #GlobalEurope: In the new scramble for #Africa’s resources, #Europe tries to right old wrongs, by @zimmerfrau.bsky.social | Politico www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
politico.eu
In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
NEW: Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise. www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
politico.eu
In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
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Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise, writes @zimmerfrau.bsky.social as EU and African leaders meet in Luanda. www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
politico.eu
In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
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Camille Gijs @camgijs.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
NEW: The European Commission is set to present a list of sectors that it wants to be exempted from U.S. tariffs to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer when they meet EU ministers next Monday. www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...
politico.eu
EU to present tariff exemption wishlist to top Trump envoys
Brussels will put forward request to U.S. officials to exempt goods like medical devices and alcohol from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
I have two missions in life: - securing world peace - dissuading people from organising a "quick preparatory call ahead of next week's panel".
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Officials and observers across the Atlantic know full well that should the court strike down the tariffs, in cases brought by a dozen Democratic-run states and two sets of private companies, Trump will find a way to replace them. www.politico.eu/article/dona...
politico.eu
After US judges trash Trump’s tariffs, it’s no time for Europe to gloat
The EU would face more uncertainty if the U.S. Supreme Court shoots down President Donald Trump’s most sweeping tariffs.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
"China was seeking to halt research by Laura Murphy, professor of human rights and contemporary slavery at Sheffield Hallam, into allegations Uyghur Muslims in the north-western region of Xinjiang were subject to forced labour." www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Brussels is racing to put together a new plan by the end of this year to diversify European supply of so-called critical raw materials — such as lithium and copper — away from China. The thing is: We’ve been here before. www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
politico.eu
The EU wants to escape China’s grip on critical minerals. Can it afford to?
Ursula von der Leyen has announced an action plan to secure supplies, but without serious money it risks becoming a relabeling exercise.
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Camille Gijs @camgijs.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Commission chief von der Leyen is looking to fly to Brazil to ink the long-awaited deal with Mercosur on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give the green light. The date of the signing was floated by Costa at a leaders summit last week. with @zimmerfrau.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
politico.eu
EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would jet into Brazil to ink the long-awaited accord on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give the green light.
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Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Scoop: EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas (Alternative headline: Friedrich Merz wasn’t wrong, but may have jumped the gun last week.) By @camgijs.bsky.social and @zimmerfrau.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
politico.eu
EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would jet into Brazil to ink the long-awaited accord on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give their green light.
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Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
China tightens its rare earth choke hold on Europe Here’s the money quote: “In the short term there’s nothing you can do, except try and negotiate with the Chinese.” Worth your time, by @zimmerfrau.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-n...
politico.eu
China tightens its rare earth choke hold on Europe
Despite the EU’s efforts to diversify its supply of critical minerals, Beijing’s skillfully crafted dominance gives it immense geopolitical leverage.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Back at the office after a lovely break in France and Ireland. What have I missed in the trade policy world? Hit me up ☕
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The European Commission is eyeing a possible signature of its long-awaited partnership agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries on Dec. 5 in Brazil, four EU diplomats told @politico.eu w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @koenverhelst.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/brus...
politico.eu
Brussels aims to sign Mercosur trade deal on Dec. 5
U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff crusade has pushed the EU toward completing its long-awaited agreement with the South American bloc.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Trump's tariff game can sometimes seem like a highly technical, unpredictable and abstract calculation. But for locals on the Irish coast, power politics determine no less than their personal future. My dispatch www.politico.eu/article/irel...
politico.eu
Ireland’s ‘Viagra Village’ in the eye of Trump’s tariff storm
Investments by U.S. Big Pharma in Ireland’s County Cork have brought jobs and prosperity. Donald Trump’s tariffs could change all that.
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Marianne Gros @mariannegros.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
The EU ombudsman will investigate the commission’s decision to delete a text exchange between Macron and von der Leyen about the Mercosur trade deal. @politico.eu was first to report on the text’s existence back in 2024 👀 www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
politico.eu
EU watchdog probes Macron’s text to von der Leyen requesting Mercosur delay
The EU executive could not provide access to a text message from the French president to the Commission president, first revealed by POLITICO.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Earlier this month, I cycled around Ringaskiddy in southwestern Ireland with the aim of putting a human face to the impacts of Donald Trump's tariff games. Here's the story. www.politico.eu/article/irel...
politico.eu
Ireland’s ‘Viagra Village’ in the eye of Trump’s tariff storm
Investments by U.S. Big Pharma in Ireland’s County Cork have brought jobs and prosperity. Donald Trump’s tariffs could change all that.
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Camille Gijs @camgijs.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Some goodies for our Pros this morning 👀 1) Ahead of today’s round of negotiations on how the EU will go about screening foreign investments, I’ve got my hands on the 4-column document outlining the bloc’s latest thinking. Spoiler? The two big fights remain. pro.politico.eu/news/205173
pro.politico.eu
POLITICO Pro
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to pull off a grand diplomatic coup on Monday by collecting several Western countries together to recognize a Palestinian state, but he’s a long way from delivering a genuine breakthrough in Gaza. www.politico.eu/article/emma...
politico.eu
Macron wants a big diplomatic win on Palestinian statehood. But Europe is split.
The French president is seeking to build a diplomatic counterweight against U.S. support for Israel, but his efforts will do little to end the war in Gaza.
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 19/09/2025
During the UN General Assembly next week, a growing number of nations are bucking the Trump administration to recognize a Palestinian state. But the move highlights the limited options available to countries that want to break with Washington on Israel.
politico.com
Europe, Canada, Saudi Arabia poke at Trump with Palestinian statehood
France and others frustrated with U.S. inaction on Israel have few options to reorient the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas unveiled plans to downgrade trade ties with Israel over findings of human rights abuses in Gaza. The measures would only target some 37 percent of Israel’s total exports to the EU, but mark a major shift in the bloc's approach. www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
politico.eu
EU unveils plan to hit Israel with tariffs, sanctions amid Gaza war outcry
European Commission moves to get tough on Israel — but now it needs member countries on board.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
The EU wants to boost cooperation with India, including on defense — just as U.S. President Donald Trump pressures it to slam New Delhi with massive tariffs over its enablement of Russia’s war in Ukraine. www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
politico.eu
EU wants closer India ties despite Russia links
The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas warns that Indian oil purchases from Russia are “an obstacle” to closer ties.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
The EU plans to propose sanctions on more Chinese companies linked to the Kremlin’s war effort this week, as part of its efforts to persuade Trump to finally press Russia to end its war. w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @victorjack.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
politico.eu
EU plans more sanctions on China. Will that be enough for Trump?
Donald Trump says he’ll slap a harsh embargo on the Kremlin if Brussels turns the screws on China, but EU diplomats suspect the U.S. president is stalling.
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Victor Jack @victorjack.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
www.politico.eu/article/quit... If Donald Trump is going to slap sanctions on Russia, there are a few things he’d like NATO allies to do first. But meeting some of these demands will be easier than others. w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @zimmerfrau.bsky.social @gabrielgavin.bsky.social
politico.eu
Quit Russian oil? For the EU, Trump’s other demands are even harder.
From facing down Hungary and Slovakia to taking on Turkey and China, meeting the U.S. president’s requests will be challenging.
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 12/09/2025
A coalition of European leaders has convinced US President Donald Trump that Russia is not interested in ending its war in Ukraine and must be forced to the negotiating table. Now they have to persuade an unpredictable White House to agree on how to make that happen.
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Trump finally wants to put the squeeze on Russia. Now comes the hard part.
Europe targets new sanctions on Moscow. Washington eyes tariffs and trade deals.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
European lawmakers accused Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of striking a bad, one-sided trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump after she defended the accord in her annual State of the Union address Wednesday. www.politico.eu/article/parl...
politico.eu
Parliament chiefs seize moment to savage von der Leyen for her Trump trade deal
European Commission boss gets a rough ride from European lawmakers after defending her transatlantic agreement.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual State of the Union speech to announce the European Commission will take a tougher approach on Israel ― including by proposing a suspension of the EU's trade accord with the country. www.politico.eu/article/urus...
politico.eu
Von der Leyen vows to punish Israel’s ‘extremist ministers’ and pause payments
“What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable,” EU Commission president tells a noisy European Parliament during State of Union address.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
My favourite kind of workday. Story coming soon!
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 02/09/2025
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič today made an 11th-hour intervention to stop the EU Commission issuing a penalty on U.S. tech giant Google for its search advertising practices, amid continued trade threats from President Donald Trump.
politico.eu
EU Google antitrust penalty halted amid Trump’s tariff threats
The decision was paused by Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič against the wishes of Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera.
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 01/09/2025
European Council President António Costa appeared to concede the war in Ukraine was a factor in the EU's accepting its much-criticized trade deal with the United States, in a major break from the official line taken by the EU executive.
politico.eu
Costa breaks ranks on EU-US trade deal, fires warning shot at Trump
The European Council president appears to admit the war in Ukraine was a factor in accepting the bloc’s lopsided pact with Washington.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Ursula von der Leyen’s dash to Donald Trump’s golf resort in Scotland last month to seal an unbalanced trade deal has raised fears among politicians and analysts that Europe has lost the leverage that it once thought it had as a leading global trade power. My latest www.politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu
Europe’s ‘century of humiliation’ could be just beginning
Donald Trump is using America’s military and technological superiority to force one-sided deals on Europe.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
The ink is still drying on a leaders’ statement formalizing a tariff deal between the EU and the United States, and President Donald Trump is already threatening to tear it up. w/ colleague in crime @camgijs.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/eu-f...
politico.eu
EU faces first test of fragile trade truce with Trump
Donald Trump’s threat to target the bloc’s digital rules comes days after joint agreement on trade.
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 26/08/2025
The European Commission defended today the bloc’s right to set and enforce its own tech rules, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on countries with digital policies he considers “discriminatory.”
politico.eu
EU resists Trump: Tech regulation is our ‘sovereign’ right
U.S. president launches attack on Europe’s digital rules, drawing opposition from Brussels.
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Sam Lowe @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
In the latest edition of Most Favoured Nation, I attempt to work out the US tariff on EU-made golf carts. With some high quality data viz mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/american-p...
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Jorge Liboreiro @jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
The fight for regulatory sovereignty has only just begun.
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Camille Gijs @camgijs.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Europe has lectured Beijing, Washington and New Delhi for years on the importance of rules-based trade. Now, following its not-so-free-trade-friendly trade deal with Trump, the bloc is struggling to reconcile principles and reality. www.politico.eu/article/dona...
politico.eu
Trump deal threatens EU’s image as champion of rules-based trade
The fragile tariff truce has spared Europe from the U.S. president’s wrath and kept him on board on Ukraine so far — but at a reputational cost.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 11/08/2025
An Israeli strike near a hospital in Gaza City killed four Al Jazeera journalists. Anas al-Sharif, a well-known correspondent, was among those killed. Israel said it had targeted al-Sharif, claiming he worked for Hamas. nyti.ms/3USbw2a
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Christian Odendahl @codendahl.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
This is not over.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
The power differential was even on display in how the leaders got to Scotland. Von der Leyen and her team flew in on two small chartered business jets; Trump arrived on Air Force One with an escort of U.S. fighters. www.politico.eu/article/us-t...
politico.eu
‘Less bad’ US trade deal is simply best the EU could get
A better EU-U.S. deal was difficult to negotiate because Europe is dependent on Trump for its defense.
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 06/08/2025
Lula: "You can be sure, I will call Trump to invite him to COP30 and hear his views on climate. I will be kind enough to call him…If he doesn't attend, it's because he doesn't want to, but it won't be for lack of courtesy, friendliness, or commitment to democracy." www.bernama.com/en/world/new...
bernama.com
Brazil's Lula Vows WTO Action, to Invite Trump to COP30
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil, US, tariff, Don
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Christian Odendahl @codendahl.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Swiss president is flying to the US with "a more attractive offer" to lower tariffs. Could work, the 39% are clearly mad. www.ft.com/content/a710...
ft.com
Swiss president to fly to Washington to present ‘more attractive’ tariff offer
Move follows Donald Trump’s decision to hit the country with steep tariffs
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Sharp corrective to the usual takes on how Trump has "won" by imposing tariffs. www.ft.com/content/6791...
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
"Since April 2, when Trump unveiled his “liberation day” trade war, his approach had been a case study in volatility."
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
You don't end up discussing EU-US tariff talks on a Slovenian radio broadcast every day. Thanks for having me Zavod Radio Študent! radiostudent.si/politika/off...
radiostudent.si
Zahodni trgovinski dogovor
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 31/07/2025
Sweden today became the latest EU member country to publicly call for the suspension of the trade component of the bloc’s association agreement with Israel, as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate.
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Sweden urges EU to suspend trade ties with Israel over Gaza
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “utterly deplorable.”
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Louisa Loveluck @leloveluck.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed 60,000 people. 18,500 were children. Here are their names. www.washingtonpost.com/world/intera...
washingtonpost.com
60,000 Gazans have been killed. 18,500 were children. These are their names.
Palestinian children have been killed at a rate of more than one per hour since the war began.
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Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
In her strategy to win over the White House, Ursula von der Leyen, a transatlanticist at heart, has over recent months gradually toughened her stance toward Beijing — which in return has warned it will retaliate against any country that seals a trade deal w/ the US www.politico.eu/article/brus...
politico.eu
Von der Leyen played hardball with China. Then she won a trade deal with Trump.
Washington and Brussels have vowed to join forces against China’s excess production of subsidized steel.
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 29/07/2025
🚨 BREAKING: EU countries are moving toward agreeing a plan to punish Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but stopped short of triggering the penalty at a meeting in Brussels today. 🔗 ow.ly/MVsm50WwSsI
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