Commentary

A commentary series exploring how the EU can navigate an increasingly volatile strategic landscape, and chart its course through the tornado unleashed by Trump 2.0.

Trump’s trade tariffs will hit Europe hard. The genius of European integration was its tendency to depoliticise. But with Trump this will not work. It is time for a strong political response by the EU. This is a fight for power, not policy.

More than ever, Ukraine needs support to transition towards a long-term energy system that is resilient, flexible and secure. The EU has the expertise, the ability and the will to help make that happen.

Russia is now coordinating with the US in response to last week's deadly outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria. Some countries, in particular Israel, believe that Russia's presence in Syria can provide a counterweight to growing Turkish influence. But it is clear that continued...

This is the moment to expand the international status of the euro, argues Steven Everts.

European leaders are scrambling to respond to the Trump 2.0 presidency in the wake of recent events. Rather than dwell on the latest upheavals in Washington, Europe must focus on itself and above all on investing in its own strength. Three priorities stand out: Ukraine, European...

As the EU develops the White Paper on the future of European defence, it will need to address the new reality of transatlantic relations. The 'ReArm Europe' plan makes several proposals to ramp up European defence spending. However, this funding must translate into tangible...

After years of war, Syria's energy system is in ruins. The EU can actively contribute to rebuilding the country's energy sector. It will need to balance strong support for Syria's reconstruction with awareness of the new geopolitical dynamics of energy in the post-Assad era.

In late February, a high-level delegation from the European Commission visited India. In the context of negotiations that have been ongoing since 2007, the EU is seeking to overcome hurdles which so far have prevented it from concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Delhi...

On 21 February 2025 President Trump issued a memorandum providing for the imposition of tariffs on countries hindering ‘American companies’ global competitiveness’. This aggressive move highlights the growing challenges of cooperation between Europe and the US in the digital...