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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READ MORE The White House's decision will deepen concerns among Taiwan's supporters in Washington that Mr Trump is taking a softer stance on China as he pushes to hold a summit with President Xi Jinping . The Financial Times reported on Monday that the US commerce department had been told to freeze planned export controls against China as the countries hold trade talks and discuss a summit. China objects to Taiwanese leaders visiting the US, which does not have official diplomatic relations with Taipei. In 2023, the Biden administration allowed then-president Tsai Ing-wen to stop in New York on her way to Belize and Guatemala. Mr Lai had approached the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, to host him at an event in New York during his proposed trip, according to a person familiar with the matter. Mr Lai also planned to visit Dallas on his trip. 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'They've frozen export controls and possibly financial actions too, approved the sale of powerful AI chips to China for nothing in return, and throttled the unofficial relationship with Taiwan,' said Mr Doshi, an assistant professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. 'What will they do when Beijing pockets this and asks for more, like changing Taiwan policy or demanding even better US technology?' In addition to concerns about derailing a summit, some officials say the US needs to 'hide and bide' with respect to China. The phrase – which was used by China's former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping – is being invoked to explain that the rare earths leverage China has created over the US limits Washington's ability to take tough actions against Beijing. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2025

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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