Douglas Busvine

EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would jet into Brazil to ink the long-awaited accord on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give their green light.

The European Union is setting its sights on finally sealing a major trade agreement with the Latin American Mercosur bloc before Christmas.

But first, Ursula von der Leyen needs to get a supermajority of the EU’s 27 member nations to sign off on the deal.

EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would jet into Brazil to ink the long-awaited accord on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give the green light.

Commission chief von der Leyen is looking to fly to Brazil to ink the long-awaited deal with Mercosur on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give the green light.

The date of the signing was floated by Costa at a leaders summit last week.

with @zimmerfrau.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...

EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would jet into Brazil to ink the long-awaited accord on Dec. 20 — as long as EU capitals give their green light.

Scoop: EU eyes final signing of Mercosur deal before Christmas

(Alternative headline: Friedrich Merz wasn’t wrong, but may have jumped the gun last week.)

By @camgijs.bsky.social and @zimmerfrau.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...

Trump, Long Erratic on the World Stage, Reaches a New Level

More than nine months into his second term, the only thing predictable about Mr. Trump’s handling of global affairs is that it will be an unpredictable mix of instinct, grievance and ego.

Trump, Long Erratic on the World Stage, Reaches a New Level www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/u...

Trump does what Brussels couldn’t: Kill Russian oil in Europe New U.S. sanctions will be “catastrophic” for Lukoil’s operations across the continent, warns former company executive.

Number of U.S. sanctions rounds against Russia under Trump: 1

Number of EU sanctions rounds: 19

@victorjack.bsky.social and @evahartog.bsky.social explain why Trump’s sanctions affect the parts EU sanctions cannot reach:

www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Exclusive: China state oil majors suspend Russian oil buys due to sanctions, sources say A sharp drop in oil demand from Russia’s two largest customers will put a strain on Moscow’s oil revenues.

Wow

Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil

China tightens its rare earth choke hold on Europe Despite the EU’s efforts to diversify its supply of critical minerals, Beijing’s skillfully crafted dominance gives it immense geopolitical leverage.

China tightens its rare earth choke hold on Europe

Here’s the money quote: “In the short term there’s nothing you can do, except try and negotiate with the Chinese.”

Worth your time, by @zimmerfrau.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-n...

The EU’s new peace offering to Trump: A bonfire of its business rules. Ursula von der Leyen is selling simplification like a Kinder Egg — sweet on the outside for European business, with a surprise inside for the U.S. president.

The EU’s new peace offering to Trump: A bonfire of its business rules.

By @mariannegros.bsky.social and @camgijs.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/brus...

Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms or be ‘destroyed’ by Russia US president tossed aside maps of Ukraine frontline in volatile White House meeting

NEW:Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Russia’s terms for ending its war in a volatile White House meeting on Friday, warning that Putin had said he would “destroy” Ukraine if it did not agree.

The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy descended many times into a “shouting match” on.ft.com/3WMSQSu

Opinion: China’s export controls on the sector and ring fencing of critical minerals are a big hit to the US. But the reality is that the US has allowed its rival to slowly but surely take over the entire industry on.ft.com/4hn8766

Who’s Eating the Tariffs?

(via Goldman) @scottlincicome.bsky.social

Under Russian drones, Ukrainians wonder if Europe still cares More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s capital endures constant Russian attacks while watching European solidarity fray.

Under Russian drones, Ukrainians wonder if Europe still cares www.politico.eu/article/russ... by @thisisbartosz.bsky.social

Dutch govt accused of freezing operations of Chinese semiconductor giant's chipmaker Nexperia Wingtech, the Shanghai-listed parent, denounces what it essentially calls a boardroom coup involving the Dutch government and local executives

A quiet bombshell in Europe’s tech world

The Dutch government seems to have effectively frozen operations of Nexperia, the Chinese-owned chipmaker, citing national security, according to corporate filing today - via @zichenwanghere

The Dutch government takes action against Wingtech's Nexperia: Director Zhang Xuezheng's position suspended, a foreign director will have decisive voting rights, and Chinese equity is reduced to only ... 荷兰政府对闻泰科技的控股子公司安世半导体采取措施，要求冻结其资产和知识产权调整，为期一年。张学政的董事职务被暂停，一名外籍董事将拥有决定性投票权，中资股权仅剩 1 股。安世半导体 2024 年预计收入 147 亿人民币，占闻泰科技总营收的六分之一。

Big intervention from the Dutch government in the operations of Nexperia, the Dutch chip firm that was acquired by China’s Wingtech in 2019

longbridge.com/en/news/2607...

Inside billionaire Peter Thiel’s private lectures: Warnings of ‘the Antichrist’ and U.S. destruction In leaked recordings of private lectures by tech billionaire Peter Thiel he argued that “the Antichrist” is likely to take the form of a critic of technology.

Conservative tech lord Thiel said tighter financial regulations “were a sign that a singular world government has begun to emerge that could be taken over by an Antichrist figure who could then use it to exert control over people.” Via WashPost

Washington, with the help of big American companies like ExxonMobil, has been lobbying the EU to scrap its due diligence rules.

Behind closed doors, Brussels is telling EU capitals that it’s not on the table.

Read more from @gabrielgavin.bsky.social and I 👇

EU refuses to bow to Trump demands to tear up business rules Brussels has signaled it won’t yield to U.S. pressure to ignite a bonfire of green regulations as part of their trade deal, a top official tells diplomats.

Sabine Weyand tells member countries that the EU won’t bow to the Trump administration’s demand to rip up its business regulations.

Great get from @gabrielgavin.bsky.social and @mariannegros.bsky.social from this week’s no-phones meeting:

www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

We all know Brexit’s to blame for the crisis facing UK steel - it’s time for politicians to be honest and reverse it | Simon Jenkins With British industry faltering, the excuse that the public wants this is risible. Parliament must force Starmer to act, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

Steel looks like the ultimate “told you so” moment for the Remain camp.

Let’s see who gets a piece of the EU’s diminished tariff-free imports.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Blue Steel I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

This week’s edition of Most Favoured Nation discusses steel clubs, the limits of the special relationship, and some other things …

But is mainly an excuse to share some photos.

open.substack.com/pub/mostfavo...

EU lawmakers back ‘veggie burger’ ban The European Parliament slips prohibition of plant-based “burgers” into wider farm reform, sparking NGO outrage and political splits.

The European Parliament voted today to ban plant-based and lab-grown products from having meat-related names such as “burger,” “sausage” or “steak” on their labels.

Watching China in Europe—October 2025

Too slow, too timid, too wedded to a rulebook that others have torn up. In Brussels, officials now acknowledge that the China strategy of the past years has failed to deliver. What comes next? And crucially, are members states on board? All in my latest WCIE for GMF

www.gmfus.org/news/watchin...

5 things to watch as EU-India trade talks enter home stretch There’s immense political appetite to clinch a deal in Brussels and New Delhi — but historically thorny issues keep complicating the talks.

Donald Trump’s tariffs have stung both the EU and India into mounting a big push to get their long-delayed trade deal over the line — fast.

Brussels aims to sign Mercosur trade deal on Dec. 5 U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff crusade has pushed the EU toward completing its long-awaited agreement with the South American bloc.

The European Commission is eyeing a possible signature of its long-awaited partnership agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries on Dec. 5 in Brazil, four EU diplomats told @politico.eu

w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @koenverhelst.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/brus...

Trump’s tariffs give European wineries — and US importers — a hangover With U.S. tariffs set at 15 percent for the foreseeable future, it’s a lose-lose situation for winemakers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Trump’s tariffs give European wineries — and US importers — a hangover

As @rebeccalholland.bsky.social relates, the legacy of Prohibition means that tariffs on European wines are also putting the squeeze on U.S. producers and distributors. Worth your time:

www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Charlie Kirk's allies warn Americans: Mourn him properly or else After the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, U.S. Republicans have a warning for Americans: Mourn him respectfully or suffer the consequences.

By my and @ajvicens.bsky.social’s count 15 people have been fired or suspended for commentary tied to the shootings death of Charlie Kirk.

Our story:
www.reuters.com/world/us/cha...

Vote on 2040 climate target canceled after big EU countries block decision Decision casts doubt over whether EU can present climate plan in time for U.N. gathering this month.

NEW: Vote on 2040 climate target canceled after big EU governments — including France + Germany — blocked the decision to ensure leaders get a say.

On Tuesday, countries will decide the fate of the 2035 Paris Agreement plan/NDC.

Full story w/ @l-guillot.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/vote...

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NATO States Have Failed They have not prepared and do not understand their national interests

Just sent out this free post. Russia attacked Poland last night--and the NATO response indicates institutional and national failure. They were clearly not prepared, cannot even call the Russian attack an attack, and do not understand their real security concerns. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

The Turnberry trap: Trump, Europe and global reordering The bloc’s challenge isn’t to restore the old transatlantic bargain but to build a new one before the next crisis hits.

This is about as sobering as it gets

www.politico.eu/article/us-e...