  Europe - US

In the trade dispute between the US and the EU, President Donald Trump has delayed the introduction of higher tariffs from 9 July to 1 August. A spokesperson for EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that negotiations on a tariff deal were "entering the final phase". Numerous other countries have already received letters from Trump announcing tariffs of 25 to 40 percent on their export goods as of August.

The UK and the US have agreed on a trade pact that reduces tariffs between the two countries. According to UK sources, tariffs on car imports to the US are to be lowered, those on steel and aluminium abolished entirely and import duties on US goods cut. Prior to signing this deal, the UK had finalised a free-trade agreement with India this week. Europe's press is divided in its assessment of the plans.

The EU has imposed massive fines on two US IT companies, with Apple being to pay 500 million euros and Facebook parent company Meta 200 million euros for violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This is the first time fines have been imposed under the DMA, which was introduced in 2022. Among other things, it obliges internet giants to open up their platforms to competitors. Europe's media back the ruling.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington today for talks that will presumably focus on defusing the tariff dispute between the US and Europe. The two leaders enjoy a good personal relationship. Europe's press discusses whether the EU will benefit from this encounter - or whether the post-fascist politician only has Italy's interests in mind.

New punitive tariffs also apply to Europe - 20 percent for EU member states. Today, Wednesday, the EU is again meeting to discuss how best to respond. Until now Brussels had played the de-escalation game, but US President Trump has rejected its offer of a free trade deal. Europe's press explores the options.

During a flying visit to a US military base on Greenland, US Vice President JD Vance has accused Denmark of neglecting the island and reasserted the US's interest in its territory. Copenhagen rejected the accusations and their "tone" as inappropriate. The new Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also declared that Greenland "does not belong to anyone else".

Instead of using specially secured channels, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz shared confidential information in a Signal chat group to which Washington-based journalist Jeffrey Goldberg had also been added. Among other things, the conversation revealed details of the schedule and targets for the airstrike against the Yemeni Houthi militia on 15 March. Commentators examine the various aspects of the fiasco.

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Washington on Monday to talk about Ukraine with US President Donald Trump. In the run-up to the meeting Macron has said he wants to convince Trump to work more closely with Europe to achieve peace in Ukraine and to warn him not to be taken in by Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin. The European press takes a closer look.

Looking back at the 61st Munich Security Conference, European media are homing in on the speech given by JD Vance. In it the US Vice President said that the greatest danger for Europe comes not from Russia or China but from within, accusing Europe of turning its back on its most fundamental values. What is happening with the transatlantic relationship?

US President Donald Trump has announced that tariffs of 25 percent will apply for all imports of steel and aluminium as of 4 March. This means that for the first time Europe will also be affected by Trump's new tariff policy - both as an exporter and as a result of third countries shifting their exports to the European market. The media discuss the consequences and possible countermeasures.