Germany and Britain to sign a new 'friendship agreement'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to London for the first time since taking his role earlier this year as Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to realign the UK-EU post-Brexit relationship.
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A new treaty will refer to the turbulent security situation that both countries face and include a mutual defence pact. The text is expected to say that the countries 'shall assist on another' in case of an 'armed attack'.
While Britain and Germany already have a commitment to mutual defence as Nato members, the treaty is expected to pave the way for greater defence cooperation, including in weapons development and operations.
The leaders will use the opportunity to discuss their support for Ukraine after both governments are due to send a new tranche of weapons to Kyiv following a US-backed deal with Nato this week.
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© AFP 2025
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Irish Times
28 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Trump blocks Taiwan's president from New York stopover
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Ms Glaser said the decision recalled events in Mr Trump's first term when he delayed arms sales to Taiwan and 'went ballistic' after Alex Wong, a senior state department official who served as deputy national security adviser early in this administration, visited Taiwan to give remarks at a conference. 'Trump should be standing up to People's Republic of China pressure, not caving into it,' Ms Glaser said. 'By signalling that aspects of the US relationship with Taiwan are negotiable, Trump will weaken deterrence and embolden Xi to press for additional concessions regarding Taiwan.' Several people familiar with the debate said the Trump administration was trying to avoid jeopardising trade talks with China. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng started a third round of negotiations in Stockholm on Monday. 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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Trump hails 'wonderful news media' at opening of new golf course during last day of Scottish visit
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Donald Trump confirms pharma tariff will be 15pc for EU as White House reveals fact sheet on trade deal
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