Today in the EU

EU economy ministers will meet today (November 21) to discuss the future of EU-US trade relations although the prospect of a possible protectionist and pro-tariff Trump administration looks set to make for difficult talks.

With key industries such as Germany’s automotive sector already under significant pressure and the risk of a wider trade war on the horizon, how is Europe preparing to adapt to a shifting US trade agenda?

To find out, host Evi Kiorri speaks to Euractiv's economy reporter Thomas Nielsen Moeller.

The European Parliament is on the brink of finalising the new College of Commissioners after weeks of negotiations, according to a draft seen by Euractiv.

Spain’s Teresa Ribera fell under scrutiny after October's devastating Valencia floods, and faced fierce opposition from the Spanish wing of the European People's Party (EPP). The political deadlock threatened not only her nomination as vice-president of the European Commission but also the approval of the whole College. But negotiations between parliamentary groups in Brussels appear to have finally ended.

What fueled the EPP’s resistance, and how was an agreement reached?

Join host Giada Santana and reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro as they analyse the fallout from the Valencia disaster and its ripple effects on the Commission’s formation.

Today marks 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's Kursk region, entered by Ukrainian forces in August, signals a major shift in the conflict. North Korea’s involvement, previously seen in arms supplies and meetings between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, now includes sending troops to the border.

This move provides Russia with added manpower, posing greater challenges for Ukraine’s strained military resources and increasing its need for ammunition. The effectiveness of North Korean troops is uncertain due to their limited combat experience. EU ministers are concerned but limited in action due to North Korea’s isolation, as they gather in Brussels amid pressure to strengthen military support, especially with future U.S. aid uncertain. 

To look into this topic host Evi Kiorri is joined by security and defence editor Aurélie Pugnet.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s recent appointment to lead the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to send shockwaves across the Atlantic, testing the EU’s regulatory clout in the digital sphere.

The European Union and Musk have clashed repeatedly, especially since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter - now known as X.

On 23 December 2023, the European Commission launched an investigation into X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), including content moderation issues. Meanwhile, Musk’s image as a staunch defender of free speech has energized Europe’s far-right, who increasingly see him as an ideological ally.

But where does the EU stand in this escalating dispute, and how might Brussels respond to Musk’s new role?

Join host Giada Santana and Euractiv tech editor Eliza Gritski as they unpack the EU’s probe into X, the controversial DOGE commission, and Musk’s growing influence on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s efforts to maintain stability following the collapse of his three-party coalition have come up against fierce opposition and mounting public pressure, sparking a new phase of uncertainty.

With a snap election scheduled for 23 February and no-confidence votes looming, the dynamics between party leaders and coalitions are set to shape Germany’s immediate future.

To take a closer look at the unfolding political drama and its impact on Europe’s largest economy host Evi Kiorri is joined by our Berlin-based politics reporter, Nick Alipour.

[Edited by Daniel Eck]

On Thursday (14 November), the European Parliament will decide the fate of a landmark anti-deforestation law, the EUDR, which aims to break the link between EU imports and global forest loss. 

According to the UN, 10 million hectares of forest – an area the size of Portugal – vanish yearly due to unsustainable practices. 

Proposed amendments, however, threaten to narrow its scope and delay its rollout, leaving activists worried that a diluted law could fail to tackle deforestation. But who among the MEPs wants the end of anti-deforestation law, and why?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sánchez Manzanaro outline supporters and detractors of EUDR, and possible scenarios ahead of the vote.  

Tuesday (12 November) marked the last day of hearings at the European Parliament, yet no conclusions were reached – in a clear indication that all political parties have laid their cards on the table and are now negotiating over who gets what. 

Evaluation meetings have been postponed with no timeline set, leaving many unanswered questions: what is happening behind closed doors, and what can we expect from the hearings’ conclusions in the coming days? 

To break down what has happened with the hearings so far, host Evi Kiorri is joined by Euractiv's politics reporters Nicoletta Ionta and Magnus Lund Nielsen – who have been following most of the sessions for the past two weeks.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries are hunkered down for 11 days of intense climate talks at COP29 in Baku, but with prominent leaders noticeably absent, doubts about the summit's potential for progress are looming.

Among those who will not be attending are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, and China’s Xi Jinping.  

Setting robust climate finance targets is high on this year's agenda at a time when the pressure couldn’t be higher, with the UN warning that global warming could rise by 2.9 to 3.1 degrees Celsius - almost double the "safe" limit set by the Paris Agreement. 

Join host Giada Santana as she talks to Euractiv’s climate, energy, and transport editor, Donagh Cagney, and climate reporter Paul Messad. Together, they will break down the events on the ground in Baku, Europe’s big goals for these talks, and what the missing world leaders could mean for the success - or failure - of the summit. 

Germany’s coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the first minority government in over 40 years and possible snap elections - a turn of events that has European leaders worried. 

The breakdown, caused by long-running disputes over economic policy and budget constraints, culminated late on Wednesday when Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner after failed negotiations. This marks a significant shift in German and European politics, with potential consequences for European cooperation, especially as the continent braces for Donald Trump’s return to the White House. 

But how do European leaders view Germany’s political instability? 

To understand this better, host Evi Kiorri speaks to our Berlin-based reporter Nick Alipour.

Once-convicted, twice-impeached Republican firebrand Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the United States, after unprecedented preliminary results in most swing states and some historically blue states confirmed his return to the White House.

 With both the Senate and House to be controlled by a Republican majority, the businessman-turned-politician is likely to enjoy an obstacle-free pathway to turn his electoral promises into legislation. But what did Trump guarantee to the American public in the first place and what is at the root of his remarkable comeback?  

Tune in as host Giada Santana takes the temperature at the incoming president’s headquarters in Palm Beach County, Florida with Euractiv’s Sarantis Michaloupolos, and analyzes Trump’s manifesto with editor Alice Taylor.