Jakob Weizman

EU ignites green-on-green backlash with electricity grid reform  Nature protections are slowing down the clean energy transition, so Brussels wants to relax them.

The European Commission has sparked a dispute between rival environmental camps by announcing it will sacrifice nature protection laws to speed up the rollout of clean electricity networks.

EU unveils another plan to roll back green rules The “environmental omnibus” will cut back rules on pollution reporting and waste management.

🚨 Up next on the chopping block are waste management and industrial emissions rules as the EU continues to loosen environmental rules that businesses don't like.

w/ @leonieacater.bsky.social and @jakobweizman.bsky.social

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

Tune in to our #POLITICOSustainableSummit tomorrow to follow our engaging discussion on the challenges facing the European chemicals industry.

I’m delighted to moderate a panel featuring key voices that will map out what is a crucial moment for the ‘industry of industries.’

Europe wants to revitalize its chemical industry and become more competitive on the global stage.

But will that come at a price to the environment? That’s what reporter Jakob Weizman will explore at our #POLITICOSustainableSummit 👇

Register to watch live: www.politico.eu/sustainable-...

A race car driver, a climate change denier, and a former rockstar all walk into a bar....

Here's our story on ministerial picks Babiš submitted yesterday to President Pavel 👇

Kosovo heads for snap election after months of political deadlock Talks to form a coalition government had been going on for nine months.

Kosovo is heading for a snap election after parties failed to form a governing majority yesterday, prompting the dissolution of parliament.

My latest on Kosovo's political situation here 👇

Von der Leyen warns Serbia: Time to get real about joining the EU The EU is losing patience with Belgrade as it maintains ties with Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered pointed remarks today to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić about his country’s progress toward EU membership.

Washington shares proposed trade deal text with EU “We will ping pong it forth and back until we get to a final text — and I hope we can get there soon,” says EU trade spokesperson.

The US has shared a proposed text of a joint statement enshrining its outline trade deal with the EU, the Commission said on Thursday, indicating that the political agreement is inching closer to reality.

The EU says Israel is guilty of human rights abuses. What does that mean for trade? As Israel’s largest trading partner, the European Union could use its economic power to exert pressure on the country.

After the EU found Israel to be in breach of its human rights obligations under their trade deal, tensions are running high over what economic steps the bloc can now take at a time of extreme tension in the Middle East.

w/ @jakobweizman.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-g...

After the EU found Israel to be in breach of its human rights obligations under their trade deal, tensions are running high over what economic steps the bloc can now take at a time of extreme tension in the Middle East.

w/ @jakobweizman.bsky.social

pro.politico.eu/news/200779

Trump’s trade war pushes EU toward Pacific free traders A 12-nation Indo-Pacific club could serve as a platform for teaming up.

Read my story with @jakobweizman.bsky.social about what the EU and 12-nation CPTPP could do together to challenge Trump.

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

Trump’s trade war pushes EU toward Pacific free traders A 12-nation Indo-Pacific club could serve as a platform for teaming up.

As Trump’s trade war smashes the economic order, the EU is increasingly thinking that joining forces with the Indo-Pacific trade bloc CPTPP might be the best plan B.

The U.S. makes up 13% of global trade — and the EU is setting its sights beyond that.

Read my explainer for @politico.eu here 👇

Trump talks tariffs. The EU talks free trade with the rest of the world. With the United States throwing up the highest trade barriers in a century, Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission is on a mission to do trade deals with everyone else.

Donald Trump is turning his back on free trade and, with it, the €1.6 trillion transatlantic trade relationship. That's motivating the European Union to do trade deals with just about everyone else.

The EU wants Serbia’s lithium to power its green transition and reduce Chinese dependence.

But people in Serbia won’t go down without a fight.

Read our investigation into the controversial Jadar project👇🏻

Is Serbia turning into an EU mining colony? A Brussels-backed project to develop the lithium reserves needed to power electric vehicles is fueling political instability on the European Union’s doorstep.

The EU placed a strategic bet on Serbian lithium to fuel its shift to electric vehicles.

But it's resulted in dirty politics and an environmental backlash so severe it is poisoning the Balkan nation’s relations with Brussels.

Trump blinks on tariffs. Can Europe exhale? EU Confidential · Episode

Trump blinked — and we had to re-record Politico’s EU Confidential podcast.

Here’s Take 2 — with Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council and Sarah Wheaton hosting. Thanks for having me on the show!

@politico.eu

open.spotify.com/episode/71xd...

EU takes revenge on Trump’s tariffs as countries approve €20B+ retaliation Brussels is now set to strike back against U.S. president’s steel and aluminum measures.

Looks like we've got ourselves a trade war!

Stellar (and quick) reporting from @camgijs.bsky.social and @koenverhelst.bsky.social

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

EU offers Trump removal of all industrial tariffs “Europe is always ready for a good deal,” says Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

If all is hostile, turn friendly: EU offers Donald Trump to slash all tariffs on industrial goods.

www.politico.eu/article/eu-o...

w/ fresh reporting from Luxembourg by @camgijs.bsky.social @jakobweizman.bsky.social and data via @gi-coi.bsky.social

We spoke with Czechia's foreign minister on what comes next in the EU's response to Trump's tariffs.

Could American gas still be on the table?

Read more here 👇
With @gabrielgavin.bsky.social

EU can still do deal with Trump to beat tariffs, says Czechia Brussels should plan for peace with Washington — but prepare for trade war, Prague’s top diplomat told POLITICO.

The EU should encourage U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse trade tariffs by buying more American gas, while simultaneously threatening penalties of its own, Czechia's top diplomat said.

Trump’s tariff math is crazy, says ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ author James Surowiecki challenges the White House’s rationale for punishing Europe, China, India and Japan with reciprocal tariffs.

If you, too, want to make up your own reciprocal tariffs to charge friends, family and foreign countries, all you need is simple maths and a calculator.

Yes, that's precisely how the Trump administration has just upended world trade.

with Jakob Weizman on @politico.eu

Trump’s tariff math is crazy, says ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ author James Surowiecki challenges the White House’s rationale for punishing Europe, China, India and Japan with reciprocal tariffs.

And about those maths...

James Surowiecki challenges the White House’s rationale for punishing Europe, China, India and Japan with reciprocal tariffs.

Story by @jakobweizman.bsky.social and @gi-coi.bsky.social

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

EU readies counterstrike on Big Tech and US banks over Trump’s mega tariffs Brussels sees America’s transatlantic trade surplus in services as its Achilles’ heel.

Stark signal by EU Commission boss von der Leyen on the eve of 'Liberation Day.'

“Europe holds a lot of cards. From trade to technology, to the size of our market... All instruments are on the table.”

This is how the EU plans to hit back against Trump's tariffs 👇
www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

Belgian FM: EU should fight fire with fire in Trump’s trade war Targeting Big Tech could be among the EU’s options to hit Washington where it hurts, Belgium’s foreign minister says.

An eye for an eye.

That's in essence the playbook the EU should follow in responding to Trump’s tariff war, Belgium’s new EU and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot told us.

Tech would bring "greatest sensitivity and responsiveness" from US.

W/ @pieterhaeck.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/belg...

Trump: Annexation of Greenland ‘will happen’ The Arctic island’s election winner panned U.S. president’s comments as “unacceptable.”

Donald Trump repeated that the United States will annex Greenland, while cheering the Arctic island’s election result.

On the EU’s tariff hit list: American chicken wings, motorbikes and … women’s négligées? The European Commission is seeking feedback on a 99-page hit list and respondents have until March 26 to reply.

On the EU’s tariff hit list: American chicken wings, motorbikes and … women’s négligées?

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

My latest for @politico.eu on Greenland's election results- and what it means for the Artic island's future.

Greenlanders say no to Trump as rare earths loom over coalition talks Election throws up surprise result as independence from Denmark remains tough to define.

Greenland had a message for Donald Trump as islanders went to the polls this week: thanks, but no thanks.

The US president’s repeated noises about acquiring the vast Arctic island were rejected at the ballot box, as a party that denounced Trump’s ambitions came out on top.