Ex-German Chancellor warns Europe of destruction over Merz's migration policies: ‘We can't…'
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued a chilling warning: Europe could be destroyed if national migration and border control policies tighten further. Merkel criticises Germany's new asylum rules, stressing that only EU-wide solutions can protect freedom of movement and the Schengen zone. Merkel's stark prediction highlights the risks to European unity and stability. Discover what's at stake for the EU, the impact on migration policy, and why Merkel believes unilateral action threatens Europe's future.
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NDTV
35 minutes ago
- NDTV
For Volatile Trump, Trade Pacts With China, Europe Prove Elusive
US President Donald Trump is eager to land more trade deals, but talks with China and Europe continue to languish amid communications breakdowns and fresh tariff threats. So far there has been few signs of a breakthrough with either of the two biggest American trading partners. In recent days, the path forward has only grown more complicated, with Trump engaging again in trade brinkmanship and pronouncements that have fueled tensions. Friction between the US and China increased as Beijing claimed Washington had "seriously undermined" a recent tariff truce and threatened to defend its interests - hinting at possible retaliation. That came as the Trump administration accused the Chinese government of dragging its feet on lifting export controls on rare earths the US saw as a linchpin of the deal. The White House on Monday sought to push ahead with efforts to arrange a call between Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping to ease tensions, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying she expected the leaders to speak this week. But representatives of the Chinese president have yet to publicly reciprocate interest. Meanwhile, the European Union issued a fresh warning of countermeasures if Trump follows through on his tariff threats. The European Commission, which handles trade matters for the bloc, slammed Trump's promised 50% levy on steel and aluminum, saying it would undermine efforts to reach a resolution on trade barriers. Retaliatory measures are ready if no deal is reached, EU officials warned. This is a modal media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Trump's negotiating style is driven by his fundamental faith in tariffs as an economic tool to reshape global trade, as well as a belief that outsized threats would help deliver maximum results during the 90-pause on his April 2 higher duties to allow time for negotiations. Thus far, that approach has delivered limited results. Aside from the pause with China, the president has reached a broad framework with the UK. Deals with other major partners that the president and his advisers have promised for weeks have yet to materialize. Despite the recent tumult, Trump's team has projected optimism that his approach will work. Leavitt argued Monday that Trump's threats brought the EU to the negotiating table and that the White House remains "hopeful and optimistic" they will reach a deal. "As you know, we are in discussions with many other countries around the world as well who understand the need to cut a good deal with this president and the administration," she added. Trump's tariffs are also under legal threat after the US Court of International Trade ruled last week that the majority of the levies were issued illegally and ordered them blocked. The ruling was paused by an appeals court to give the body time to review it. If the trade court ruling is upheld, it would deal a major setback for Trump's economic agenda and his ability to wield leverage with foreign capitals. Still, US officials have pointed to some opportunities for progress. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is set to meet with his European counterpart this week in Paris. If a call between Trump and Xi does materialize, it would be their first known conversation since January, before Trump's inauguration. Investors are watching the turbulent negotiations warily. European stocks edged lower Monday as global trade tensions rose. On Wall Street, stocks wavered as the tariff agenda caused market angst. As firms pulled back in the face of tariffs, US factory activity contracted and a gauge of imports hit a 16-year low. The fragile détente between the US and China has been under threat in recent weeks as the US has taken a series of actions that frustrated the Chinese government. The Trump administration announced it planned to start revoking visas for Chinese students. Officials have also moved to restrict the sale of chip design software and critical US jet engine parts to China, and crack down on Huawei Technologies Co. exports. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said a call between Trump and Xi might be necessary to move forward. On Sunday, he expressed confidence that a direct conversation between Trump and Xi will help the two nations iron out some of their issues. "I think we're going to let the two principals have a conversation, and then everything will stem from that," he said on CBS News' Face the Nation. Trump's complaints about the EU are longstanding. He recently accused the bloc of slow-walking negotiations and unfairly targeting US companies with lawsuits and regulations. He threatened a higher 50% tariff on the bloc starting June 1, but delayed it until July 9 after a phone call with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
UN assembly elects Germany's ex-foreign minister as next president after Russia demands secret vote
Annalena Baerbock addresses the United Nations general assembly after getting elected as president (AP) UNITED NATION: The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. Baerbock got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received seven votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: "Ms Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy." Polyansky accused her of having pursued an "anti-Russia policy," which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president, she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue." Baerbock brushed off Russia's request for a secret ballot. "I am grateful ... the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favour of my candidacy, and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times," she said. Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. The assembly, which is the UN's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. Baerbock said in her acceptance speech that the theme of her presidency will be "Better Together," stressing that the world is "walking on a tightrope of uncertainty" in very challenging times. The birth of the United Nations on the ashes of World War II "reminds us: We have lived through difficult times before," she said. "And it is up to us to take up these challenges." Baerbock pointed to more than 120 armed conflicts around the world today as another reminder that the UN's primary mission, "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," remains unaccomplished. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Baerback will take the presidency as the world faces not only "conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality" but divisions and mistrust. "Aid and development funding are drying up, and our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow," he said. "This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges."
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Cameroon overtakes Burkina Faso as 'most neglected' crisis: NGO
Plagued by conflict, Cameroon has overtaken Burkina Faso as the world's "most neglected" humanitarian crisis hotspot, the Norwegian Refugee Council said Tuesday in an annual report. Every year, the Scandinavian NGO publishes a list of the 10 most neglected crises, based on three criteria for what is lacking: humanitarian funding, media attention and international political engagement. "Three distinct and protracted crises have gripped Cameroon for over a decade: the long-running conflict with armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin, violence in the Northwest and Southwest regions" where most of the country's anglophone minority live "and continued instability spilling over from the Central African Republic," the NRC said in a statement. It noted that as of 2024 "some 3.4 million people were in urgent need of assistance and protection" in the region. "Over 1.1 million were internally displaced, while nearly half a million refugees and asylum seekers seeking safety in the country remained stranded in limbo," NRC said. The NGO said that despite the dire situation media coverage has been negligible, the international response ineffective, and only 45 percent of the humanitarian funding requested has been provided. "Cameroon's crisis is a case study in global neglect: underreported and underfunded. With no signs of renewed attention, support or political engagement, prospects for 2025 are even bleaker," NRC said. Among the 10 most neglected countries, eight are in Africa. In addition to Cameroon, the list features Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso , Mali, Uganda, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Honduras and Somalia. The NRC said "less than half of the required humanitarian funding was provided in 2024," noting that "the shortfall is roughly one percent of what the world spent on defence". "International solidarity is being overtaken by increasingly introverted and nationalistic policies in previously generous donor nations," said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC. "Across Europe, the United States and elsewhere we have seen donors turn their backs on people in their hour of need," he added. After taking office in January, US President Donald Trump froze US foreign aid and dismantled the development agency USAID, which managed an annual budget of $42.8 billion, representing 42 percent of global humanitarian aid. Citing budget shortfalls and a need to increase military spending to counter a perceived threat from Russia, several European countries have also announced cuts to their international aid. phy/jll/rlp
