Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission’s trade chief, travels to Paris to engage in talks with a senior White House official, while Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and António Costa, President of the European Council, remain in Armenia to strengthen connections in the South Caucasus.
Good morning. I’m Angela Skujins, guiding the Europe Today newsletter this rainy Tuesday from Brussels.
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Most significant developments today seem to be unfolding beyond the Belgian capital, with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade, meeting US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris for pivotal discussions.
This crucial encounter follows recent tariff warnings by US President Donald Trump targeting European vehicles and their components. On Friday, the Republican leader announced possible imposition of up to 25% import duties on European cars.
Aurore Lalucq, French MEP and chair of the European Parliament’s economic affairs committee, expressed to Peggy Corlin and Eleonora Vasques that the EU-US trade agreement made in Scotland last summer should not have been signed. She stated the current US administration «cannot be relied upon.”
This stance mirrors the opposition within the European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats group, the body’s second-largest political faction. Meanwhile, other members adopt a more cautious approach due to their nations’ economic ties with the US, concerned about potential repercussions.
Nevertheless, the trade dispute remains unresolved, with negotiations planned between EU member states and MEPs on Wednesday.
As Brussels confronts this trade conflict, uncertainties persist about reported US troop drawdowns in Germany.
Just in: NATO’s Martin O’Donnell told Europe Today that the planned withdrawal of thousands of American soldiers, ordered by Trump, will not alter the alliance’s defensive stance.Watch.
«Europe has been steadily enhancing its strength,» he remarked.
«According to NATO deterrence strategy, this development changes nothing. The alliance will continue to deter and defend all its territories.»
Meanwhile, the inaugural EU-Armenia summit is unfolding in Yerevan. This event follows Monday’s European Political Community (EPC) meeting, which convened nearly 50 heads of state in the Armenian capital.
As typical with the EPC, the summit produced no binding resolutions or collective accords. Instead, much of the time was dedicated to bilateral and trilateral talks on the sidelines, reports Jorge Liboreiro.
The highlight was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who asserted himself as a counterbalance to Trump by endorsing multilateralism. His remarks were warmly received. Both Canada and Europe have faced threats from Trump in terms of tariffs and annexationist policies.
“I firmly believe the international order will be reconstructed, and it will emerge from Europe. Hence, I value the symbolism of this invitation,” Carney told attendees.
Generally, the EPC was characterized by cordial exchanges, handshakes, and mutual congratulations.
However, tension arose during the morning session between Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Details of this confrontation follow below.
For a detailed analysis of the six key points from the EPC in Armenia, see Jorge’s report. For focus on the impact of a particular guest — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — Sasha Vakulina provides insights.
Roberta Metsola confronts Azerbaijan’s Aliyev at European summit in Armenia
On Monday, a dispute erupted between Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola during the EPC in Yerevan, when Aliyev accused the European Parliament of “spreading falsehoods and defamation” about Azerbaijan.
As Vincenzo Genovese outlines, Metsola interrupted with an impromptu rebuttal. «We will never alter how we operate,» she stated regarding the parliamentary institution, adding that this remains true “even if it proves inconvenient”.
Before her response, Aliyev asserted that certain European Parliament members seem intent on “undermining” the peace process with Armenia, facilitated by the US last year, which created a diplomatic and economic framework after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This agreement ended nearly four decades of conflict. Read more.
EU plans phased ban on high-risk Chinese inverters over cybersecurity concerns
The European Commission will phase out using Chinese-made inverters in energy projects funded by the EU. This initiative marks a significant move to safeguard crucial energy infrastructure from cyber threats potentially capable of causing outages.
Marta Pacheco reports that this decision follows expert warnings about risks linked to Europe’s dependence on solar inverters from companies like Huawei and Sungrow. These risks threaten the stability of the bloc’s power grid amid increasing reliance on renewable sources such as solar and wind.
“Serious economic and cybersecurity threats have been identified,” an EU official, speaking anonymously, told reporters on Monday. The Commission’s review was based on both classified and open evidence supplied by several member states.
The findings highlighted that certain nations, in a worst-case scenario, could disrupt European energy infrastructure and potentially cause blackouts, the official explained, referring to China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Read more.
More from our newsrooms
Euronews correspondent reports Emirates flight to Dubai held on ground at Heathrow during UAE air strikes
Euronews’ Toby Gregory was boarding his Emirates flight to Dubai at London Heathrow on Monday when mobile alerts indicated fresh Iranian drone and missile attacks in the United Arab Emirates. Toby Gregory, Peter Barabas and Gavin Blackburn provide further details.
Russia declares unilateral Victory Day ceasefire while Zelenskyy proposes own truce
Moscow announced a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine for 8 to 9 May, coinciding with Russia’s annual World War II Victory Day commemorations, threatening a «massive missile strike» on Kyiv if Ukraine violates the ceasefire. Gavin covers the latest on this development.
Also on the radar
- European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will take part in the EU-Armenia Summit in Yerevan, Armenia.
- EU economic and finance ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss financial matters, including efforts to combat value added tax fraud across Europe.
That concludes today’s update. Contributors include Peggy Corlin, Eleonora Vasques, Jorge Liboreiro, Marta Pacheco, and Vincenzo Genovese.
Correction: Yesterday’s newsletter mistakenly attributed a social media post on X. It was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk who shared a message about European-American friendship during the EPC.