US dangles steel concessions ahead of key EU votes Easier U.S. treatment of products containing steel could unlock approval of last year’s trade deal by EU lawmakers. But it’s not yet a done deal.

NEW: The Trump administration has reassured the EU’s top trade lawmaker that it will shorten a list of items containing steel that are subject to high US tariffs, in a move that could finally persuade the Parliament to back the EU-US deal.

W @arihawkins.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/us-d...

Time runs out to avert new trade war as US patience with EU wears thin There are two weeks until the European Parliament is due to vote on the EU-U.S. trade deal. But the outcome is still uncertain, and bitterly contentious.

With two weeks to go until the EU is due to vote on implementing its trade deal with the U.S., European and American officials are scrambling to avoid a return to their transatlantic trade war.

EU rushes to defend Spain from Trump’s embargo menace President Donald Trump’s threat to cut all ties with Spain after it opposed his war on Iran again puts the bloc’s unity to the test.

During the Greenland standoff, the EU avoided rushing into a forceful response, patting itself on the back for remaining united.

Now, the bloc is dealing with a Trump riled up by a SCOTUS decision that overturned his core tariff agenda.

With @aitorehm.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...

World leaders hold their breath for Trump’s next tariff move The EU, U.K. and Canada react cautiously to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

America’s trade partners expressed quiet relief at the Supreme Court’s rebuke of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Friday.

But they are already bracing for his next trade salvo.

With ace colleagues from London, Paris, Ottawa, Washington and Berlin

www.politico.eu/article/trad...

Brussels pitches English-first approval to speed up EU trade deals Agreements with India and Indonesia would be test cases under a new “accelerated procedure” floated by the European Commission.

This one's for the nerds.

Under pressure to raise its trade game as the US and China close faster deals, Brussels wants to cut almost a year off the time it takes to approve trade deals, according to an internal plan seen by POLITICO.

@koenverhelst.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/brus...

The Anxious Continent: Social media bans and boozy trade deals

🎙️ In this episode of EU Confidential, @swheatonjourno.bsky.social talks to @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social about his research inspiring governments to ban social media for kids.
And @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social + @camgijs.bsky.social discuss what Ursula von der Leyen dubbed the “mother of all deals.”

🎧👇

EU-Mercosur trade deal stalled as MEPs send it for judicial review Opponents of the Latin American accord prevail, potentially delaying it for up to two years.

NEW: EU-Mercosur trade deal stalled as MEPs send it for judicial review

MEPs backed a resolution to seek an opinion from the Court of Justice on whether the texts of the agreement comply with the EU treaties.

334 votes in favor, 324 against, and 11 abstentions

www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...

Opponents rally for last-ditch bid to derail EU’s Mercosur trade pact As Ursula von der Leyen prepares to sign the Mercosur deal, its opponents still plan legal action against it.

As Ursula von der Leyen prepares to sign the Mercosur deal on Saturday, its opponents still plan legal action against it even as they admit their chances of success appear slim.

Story with @maxgriera.bsky.social and @thisisbartosz.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...

EU presses US for tariff relief on steel, machinery and medtech Brussels is focusing on strategic sectors in its talks with the Trump administration, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič tells POLITICO.

Brussels is prioritizing exemptions for steel, machinery and medtech from U.S. tariffs in talks with the Trump administration, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič told us.

EU, US are also looking for another cooperation forum to replace the defunct EU-US TTC.

W/@zimmerfrau.bsky.social

shorturl.at/rabR1

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.

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...

France seeks to delay crunch vote on EU’s Mercosur mega deal A senior EU diplomat warns that another delay could kill the Latin American trade deal after 25 years of talks.

France is playing for time over a crucial vote on the EU’s trade mega deal with Mercosur, in a strategy that could kill the long-awaited accord.

“If we do not allow [Ursula von der Leyen] to sign it on the 20th, it's dead,” a senior diplomat said.

www.politico.eu/article/fran...

European Parliament pushes for tougher triggers on Mercosur safeguards The move could derail a tight timetable aimed at signing the mega trade deal before the end of the year.

The European Parliament wants stricter conditions for activating safeguard measures in the EU-Mercosur trade deal, according to compromise amendments seen by POLITICO.

The EU’s narrow, perilous path to the Mercosur trade deal Fresh pushback in the European Parliament and hesitation in EU capitals could still derail a push to sign the accord before Christmas.

A jolt of optimism that Brussels and Mercosur can finally seal their trade deal this year has given way to trepidation that everything could fall apart just before the finish line.

The EU’s narrow, perilous path to the Mercosur trade deal

With @maxgriera.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/eu-p...

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.

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...

EU to request booze, pasta, cheese tariff exemptions from Trump administration Brussels to present wish list to top Trump officials when they visit on Monday.

NEW: Brussels will ask the Trump administration to exempt a list of sensitive EU goods ranging from whiskies through to medical equipment from U.S. tariffs, according to a list we've seen.

It will be presented to top US trade officials Lutnick and Greer on Monday.

www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

EU to request booze, pasta, cheese tariff exemptions from Trump administration Brussels to present wish list to top Trump officials when they visit on Monday.

The European Commission will ask the Donald Trump administration to exempt a list of sensitive EU goods ranging from whiskies through to medical equipment from US tariffs, according to a 27-page list seen by POLITICO.

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.

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...

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.

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...

The EU’s new peace offering to Trump: A bonfire of its business rules. Ursula von der Leyen is selling simplification like a Kinder Egg — sweet on the outside for European business, with a surprise inside for the U.S. president.

What began as a push to free Europe’s businesses from crippling rules has morphed into yet another tactic to appease Donald Trump.

Our story with @mariannegros.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/brus...

EU can cut red tape without bowing to Trump, says Denmark Brussels should stand firm against Washington while seizing the moment to advance its own rule-cutting reforms, Danish foreign minister tells POLITICO.

We also touched upon the future of the EU's trade policy, and the deregulation push that will be high on the agenda of a meeting of EU leaders next week.

Cutting red tape doesn't necessarily mean bowing to Trump, Rasmussen said, it's in the EU's own interest.

Story:
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...

China’s rare earths export restrictions dominated the trade ministerial in Denmark — further squeezing the EU between Washington and Beijing.

The EU should "reach out to the Americans," Danish FM Rasmussen told me.

"We are more or less in the same situation. We should use the G7 framework."

EU urges G7 response to China’s rare-earth export curbs Brussels and Washington want joint response to Beijing’s export controls, says EU trade chief.

As he entered today's meeting, the EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič called on a coordinated response at the G7 level and hopes to speak with his Chinese counterparts in the next week.

“This is seen as a critical concern,” he said.

Story:
www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...

Hello from Horsens, Denmark where the EU’s trade ministers meet today.

The relationship with China is under the spotlight, amid fresh tensions over Beijing’s export restrictions on rare earths.

Denmark’s FM Rasmussen said that the EU should “have a tough response” and coordinate with the U.S.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigns — live updates France’s fifth government in three years resigns just 12 hours after being appointed.

What France's collapse means for EU trade policy

"France will increasingly be seen as unreliable and unyielding — giving Germany and others more influence and leadership at this crucial time for Europe," said Georgina Wright, from the German Marshall Fund.

Liveblog:
www.politico.eu/article/fran...

Thanks so much to @ec.europa.eu Matthias Jørgensen, AmChamEU Malte Lohan and @euambus.bsky.social Jovita Neliupšienė for sharing your insights.

Rewatch here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGcH...

During POLITICO's Competitive Europe Summit, Brazil’s ambassador to the EU da Costa e Silva confirmed our scoop that the EU and Mercosur countries are aiming to get the deal signed at the start of Dec., but he didn't hide his skepticism that the timeline could slip.

www.politico.eu/article/comp...

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.

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...

2) Ace colleague @jacopobarigazzi.bsky.social got hold of the draft proposal of the 19th sanctions package against Russia.

We unpack the details of the text, with @victorjack.bsky.social 👇

pro.politico.eu/news/205158

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

It’s not all pomp and ceremony during Trump’s state visit to the UK.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also in town — and there’s plenty for them to discuss with British officials.

Follow along on our live blog: ow.ly/a3m150WY2AW