Inside Europe 12 June 2025 – DW – 06/12/2025
06/12/2025
June 12, 2025
What can the U.S. learn from Hungary's fight against authoritarianism? Hungarian MEP Klara Dobrev shares insights on how to resist authoritarianism in a special interview. Plus, we explore the cost of climate change, and examine recovery efforts in Valencia after last year's flooding and Turkey after devastating earthquakes in 2023.
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DW
2 days ago
- DW
Ukraine updates: Ukraine must 'choose its own destiny' — EU – DW – 08/12/2025
Ahead of a Trump-Putin summit, EU leaders have stressed that Ukraine must be involved in peace efforts. Ukraine says it has made some territorial gains on its Russian border. DW has more. Just days before US President Donald Trump is to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska for talks on a potential peace deal in Ukraine, EU leaders have appealed to the US leader to defend European security interests and to give Ukraine a say in any agreement. The appeal, signed by all EU leaders bar Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, comes after Trump said on Monday that both sides would be forced to cede land to end the ongoing conflict. Ukraine and its allies fear that Trump might make territorial concessions to Putin that are tantamount to rewarding the Russian leader for launching his illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine has meanwhile added to a series of advances in its eastern region of Sumy, recapturing two villages from invading Russian forces, Kyiv's military says. Russia's TASS news agency has reported that air defense forces downed 25 Ukrainian drones overnight over two Russian from 26 of the EU's 27 member states have issued an appeal to US President Donald Trump to allow Ukraine to have a say on any peace deal as the US leader prepares to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for talks on ending the conflict in Ukraine. In a statement, which Putin ally Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declined to sign, the leaders stressed "the inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny." "We, the Leaders of the European Union, welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine," a statement said. "A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force," it added. But "the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," the leaders said. European leaders have voiced dismay at being sidelined from Friday's US-Russia summit, with many fearing that European security as a whole is at stake amid Moscow's territorial aggression and growing military buildup. It remains unclear whether or to what extent Ukraine will take part in the meeting. Trump has said that both sides would be forced to cede land under any peace deal, raising fears that he might make territorial concessions to Putin that are unacceptable to Kyiv. DW reports on events in and connected with Ukraine as Kyiv and its allies await an in-person meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the US state of Alaska on Friday. European leaders have expressed disappointment that they are not being involved in US efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is widely seen on the continent as a possible precursor to further territorial aggression by Moscow. You can read here for up-to-date information on one of the bloodiest conflicts on European soil since World War II.
Int'l Business Times
05-08-2025
- Int'l Business Times
Trump Tariffs Don't Spare His Fans In EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban promised that the return of his "dear friend" Donald Trump as US president would usher in a new "golden age". But trade unionist Zoltan Laszlo says Hungary's auto industry has seen the opposite as the United States announced new tariffs, with order cancellations and workflow disruptions marking employees' day-to-day experience. With tariff rates rising from 2.5 percent before Trump's return to around 25 percent and finally to 15 percent, the "American tariff slalom" has caused nothing but chaos in the car industry, said Laszlo, who represents workers at Mexican automotive parts manufacturer Nemak's Hungarian plant. In recent years, Hungary and neighbouring Slovakia have become European manufacturing hubs for global car brands seeking lower labour costs, including British Jaguar Land Rover, German Mercedes and Japanese Suzuki. But due to the export-oriented nature of their automotive sectors, catering in part to the US market, they are among those EU nations hardest-hit by the latest tariffs slated to kick in on August 7. Despite hailing Trump's comeback and visiting him twice at his Mar-a-Lago luxury estate last year, Orban -- his closest EU ally -- was not spared the pain. Neither were more favourable conditions extended to Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose country is the world's largest automobile manufacturer per capita. According to analyst Matej Hornak, the incoming tariffs won't bode well. He warns of a drop in exports amounting to "several hundred million euros" and the loss of "10,000-12,000" jobs in the sector. After the announcement of the EU-US trade deal, Orban was quick to apportion blame to EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, saying Trump "ate" her "for breakfast". But in April, the mayor of the Hungarian city of Gyor, whose strong economic growth is closely linked to its car manufacturing plants, had already warned of possible cutbacks and layoffs. For the city, which is home to various global brands and more than a dozen different parts and component suppliers including Nemak, the fresh tariffs are a disaster. As one of the biggest employers in Hungary, German carmaker Volkswagen alone provides jobs for more than 12,000 people. Its main engine factory in Gyor produces some Audi-branded vehicles directly for the US market. The Hungarian government has said that it is still assessing the impact of the tariff rates, vowing that upcoming business deals with Washington could mitigate the negative effects of Trump's "America first" policy. But more headwinds are ahead for Hungary and Slovakia, said Brussels-based geopolitical analyst Botond Feledy. "When it comes to European dealmaking, Trump now prioritises more geopolitically influential figures -- the main option for smaller nations such as Slovakia and Hungary is to join forces with others," he told AFP. But the "aggressive posturing" in the same vein of Trump's protectionist policies both countries adopted in recent months have isolated them among fellow EU countries, making compromises difficult, the expert added. Moreover, the stakes are high for Orban, whose 15-year rule has recently been challenged by former government insider-turned-rival Peter Magyar ahead of elections scheduled for next spring. "Dissatisfaction with the standard of living has made voters more critical, which is also reflected in the popularity ratings of the governing parties," said economist Zoltan Pogatsa, adding that "Hungary has been in a state of near stagnation for many years now". This year's economic "flying start" touted by Orban did not materialise, with the government further lowering the country's growth goal from the initial 3.4 to one percent. "So far, Trump's second presidency has only impacted the Hungarian economy through his tariff policy, which has been negative," Pogatsa added. At the Nemak plant, a recent warning strike has led to management promising to sort out the unpredictable work schedules caused by the tariff changes, which were "unhealthy and physically unbearable" and made "family and private life become incompatible with work", said Laszlo. Some Audi vehicles manufactured in Gyor are exported to the United States AFP Orban during a visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate during the 2024 US presidential campaign AFP US tariffs could cost up to 12,000 jobs in the Hungarian and Slovak auto sector, according to one analyst AFP Instead of a 'flying start' to the Hungarian economy promised by Orban the government has had to put price controls on some food products as it seeks to contain public anger over inflation ahead of elections next year AFP
DW
28-07-2025
- DW
EU-US trade deal: European leaders back plan amid criticism – DW – 07/28/2025
Germany's Friedrich Merz welcomes US-EU trade pact, saying it avoids "needless escalation in transatlantic trade relations." While specifics are yet to be disclosed, the deal marks a pivotal moment following tensions. The US and EU have announced a trade deal that would set tariffs at 15% for European goods, including automobiles, averting the worst-case scenario. "This is the biggest deal ever made," Trump said, lauding EU plans to dramatically increase its purchases of US energy and military equipment as part of the deal. Trump said the tariff rate would apply to "automobiles and everything else" and added that the 50% tariff on steel and aluminum "stays the way it is." The baseline 15% tariff is still seen by many in Europe as too high, compared with Europe's initial hopes to secure a zero-for-zero tariff trade agreement framework between the United States and the European Union is worse than the deal the United Kingdom has with Washington, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Monday. "Donald Trump did not reach an agreement with Ursula von der Leyen, but rather Donald Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast," Orban said during a Facebook livestream. The European Union and the United States reached a trade agreement Sunday that imposes a 15% tariff on most EU goods, higher than the United Kingdom's 10% tariff rate. Orban, widely regarded as Trump's strongest ally in Europe, has previously said US tariffs were the result of Brussels' incompetence, according to his government. France's European affairs minister, Benjamin Haddad, criticized what he described as an "unbalanced" trade deal between the EU and the US. "The trade deal negotiated by the European Commission with the United States will provide temporary stability for economic actors threatened by American tariff escalation," Haddad said. "But it is unbalanced," he stressed. "Let's be clear: the current state of affairs is not satisfactory and cannot be sustainable." France has long called for a tough line on the US tariff policy, as well as for the European Union to develop its strategic autonomy. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) criticized the trade deal between the EU and the US, calling it an "inadequate compromise" that sends a "disastrous signal." The powerful industry lobby group said that the EU was accepting painful tariffs and that a 15% tariff rate is expected to have significant negative consequences. "The only positive aspect of this agreement is that a further escalation spiral has, for now, been avoided," BDI said. It added that the lack of a deal on steel and aluminum exports was an "additional blow." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video DW Correspondent Birgit Maass said that many in the EU and critics of Donald Trump would say that US President Donald Trump has strong-armed the EU to get concessions, using the leverage of his country's resources when it comes to security policy. "NATO and the US have been a big guarantor of European security. This obviously comes all in a mix. Europe needs the US not just for trade but also for the general security situation with a war in the continent of Europe, in Ukraine, and the threat that's being posed by Russia." she said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the trade deal between the EU and the US "positive," but added that she would need to see the details. Italy is one of Europe's biggest exporters to the US, with a trade surplus of over €40 billion. "I consider it positive that there is an agreement, but if I don't see the details I am not able to judge it in the best way," Meloni said. The country's national coalition-led government had pressed its European partners to refrain from a trade clash with the US. Meloni said in a statement that the deal "ensures stability". She added that the 15% tariff "is sustainable, especially if this percentage is not added to previous duties, as was originally planned." The statement was also signed by coalition partners, Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini of the League. "We are ready to activate support measures at the national level, but we ask that they also be activated at the European level for sectors that will be particularly affected by US tariff measures," Meloni added. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed the agreement between the European Union and the United States, saying that it will help "protect many jobs" in his country. "The negotiations to get us to this point have been long and complex, and I would like to thank both teams for their patient work," he said. "We will now study the detail of what has been agreed, including its implications for businesses exporting from Ireland to the US, and for different sectors operating here," he added. Martin also noted that higher tariffs will make trade between the EU and US more expensive and challenging. But he said the deal creates a "new era of stability" that could promote a deeper relationship between the EU and the US, which the Irish prime minister said was important for the global economy. "Given the very real risk that existed for escalation and for the imposition of punitively high tariffs, this news will be welcomed by many," Martin said. The trade pact means the bloc would avoid the 30% tariffs that Trump had threatened on all goods from the EU on July 12. But it marks a significant compromise, especially given that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered a "zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods" when talks began. Still, von der Leyen said they agreed "zero-for-zero tariffs on a number of strategic products" including aircraft and aircraft parts, some chemicals, and certain agricultural products. She added that the framework trade deal did not contain any decision regarding the spirits sector. The trade pact will need to be approved by all 27 member states. After the US and European Union reached a trade deal, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof thanked the European Commission, which is responsible for EU policy on trade, for a determined effort "to secure the best possible outcome for our businesses and consumers." But Schoof also wrote that: "Of course, no tariffs would have been better, but this agreement provides more clarity for our businesses and brings more market stability." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the trade agreement between the European Union and the US which will see a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the US. "We have thus managed to preserve our fundamental interests, even if I would have wished for more relief in transatlantic trade," Merz said in a government statement issued on Sunday evening. The no-deal scenario would have "hit the export-oriented German economy hard," according to Merz. He added that this applied in particular to the automotive industry, where the current tariffs of 27.5% have been almost halved. The US is Germany's main trading partner. The EU and US have struck a trade deal, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying the deal "will bring stability." She later told reporters that the tariff level on cars was "the best we could get." Though specifics are yet to be revealed, she also told reporters that bilateral tariff exemptions had been agreed on for a number of strategic products. But a decision was still pending on other critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and steel and aluminum. Follow along for the latest news and reactions to the deal.
