Eu

The World Trade Organisation on Wednesday (Oct 2) gave Washington the green light to slap annual tariffs on US$7.5 billion (€6.8 billion) worth of EU goods in retaliation for the bloc's illegal support of Airbus. The case began in 2004, when Washington accused Britain, France, Germany and Spain of providing illegal subsidies and grants to support the production of a range of Airbus products. (AFP/GUILLAUME SOUVANT) The ruling is the largest arbitration award in WTO history and a landmark moment in the Airbus-Boeing battle, which threatens to intensify already strained trade relations between the US and the European Union. In Washington, President Donald Trump hailed the decision, calling it a "big win" for the United States and claiming credit for the outcome of the 15-year-old case. "We're having a lot of wins at the WTO," Trump said. "All of those countries were ripping off the United States for many years and they know I'm wise to it." The EU immediately threatened … [Read more...] about WTO approves US tariffs on EU goods in Airbus retaliation

  Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich is leading a high-ranking military delegation to visit the European Union (EU) from October 14-19.(Photo: VNA) The visit is made at the invitation of Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. The two sides will ink a Framework Participation Agreement (FPA) to establish Vietnam’s engagement in the EU’s crisis management activities. The Vietnamese delegation’s visit and the signing of the FPA aim to boost defence relations with the EU, which is in line with the spirit of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The move also shows Vietnam’s responsibility in promoting joint efforts to bring peace to the region and the world. VNA Related news Vietnam aspires to enhance defence links with EU NA Vice Chairman welcomes EU business official … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s high-ranking military delegation visits EU

The president of the European Council has called on Turkey to stop illegal drilling off the coast of Cyprus, saying it’s harming efforts to reunify the ethnically split island nation and undermines good relations with the EU.Donald Tusk said Friday that his presence in the Cypriot capital is a demonstration of the European Union’s “full solidarity” with Cyprus.He said EU leaders have already “strongly condemned” Turkey’s drilling inside waters where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights and that the EU “stands united” with the country in light of Turkey’s latest actions.Last week, Turkey stepped up its actions by dispatching a warship-escorted drill ship in waters where the Cypriot government licensed Italian energy company Eni and partner Total of France to conduct an oil and gas search. … [Read more...] about EU Council chief calls on Turkey to stop drilling off Cyprus

Ireland's Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson say they can see a "pathway" to a Brexit deal, but EU diplomats warn the road ahead is long AFP/Noel Mullen British Brexit minister Stephen Barclay and EU negotiator Michel Barnier met for two hours in the Brussels headquarters of the European Union. "We had a constructive meeting with Steve Barclay and the British team," Barnier told reporters. "I have already said that the Brexit is like climbing a mountain and we need vigilance, determination and patience." A British spokesman also described the closed-door talks as a "constructive meeting". Neither side would reveal any detail about what was discussed, but a European diplomat told AFP: "At this stage, the less we hear, the better. If stuff starts leaking out, it means it's not serious." Another European official close to the discussions suggested the restart was at an early stage, but that the process might suddenly accelerate: "We're completing … [Read more...] about EU and UK bid to save Brexit talks before key summit

US President Donald Trump has angered even his own Republican allies with the Syria pullout decision AFP/Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS The White House issued a late-night statement Sunday that it was effectively abandoning the Kurds who did most of the fighting alongside US forces to drive Islamic State extremists from northern Syria. Trump defended this in tweets Monday as part of his longstanding wish to end US military entanglements in the Middle East, or what he branded "ridiculous Endless Wars." The US pullout from Turkish border areas will allow Ankara, which has spent decades fighting Kurdish guerrilla groups, to launch cross-border operations. And it weakens the US hand in the broader chess game of Syria's civil war, involving Iran, Russia, European powers and Israel. In a sense there should be no surprise. Railing against the costly occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and - despite his bellicose rhetoric - holding off from military strikes against Iran, Trump believes he is … [Read more...] about Trump walks away from Syria and Republican allies