#eu-relations

#eu-relations

Michael Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry pulled all the strings to keep Taoiseach in check, but our European allies won't be at all impressed

Nick Thomas Symonds, the minister in charge of EU negotiations, was promoted to full cabinet rank. The Welshman, a close ally of Starmer, will be an advocate of a closer relationship with the EU when ministers meet. But, a source close to the prime minister said, he isn't going to bang the cabinet table and say it's customs union or bust. If that happens, it has to come from Keir himself.

"We see from the United States that they have also realized that Russia does not really want peace," Kaja Kallas told reporters, emphasizing the shift in the US stance towards Russia.

Trump announced additional tariffs, targeting six countries with rates ranging from 20% to 30%, igniting concerns over escalating trade tensions.

Merz stated, "I am cautiously optimistic that we may succeed in reaching an agreement with the United States in the next few days or at the latest by the end of the month."

This week, however, a much better deal was finally sorted. Though the detailed text has yet to be published, it appears to offer the kind of frictionless border crossing on which Gibraltar and the surrounding area depend.

"In a darker world, Canada must reduce its security dependence on the US and shift defence spending towards the EU."

Starmer emphasised the tangible benefits the deal would do for Britons, including cheaper food in supermarkets and an end to passport queues at European airports.

An agreement enabling British travellers to use European e-gates could reduce airport queueing times considerably, lifting the requirement for passport stamping.