Transatlantic relations

Western allies differ over jets for Ukraine as Russia claims gains

Ukraine's defence minister is expected in Paris on 31 January to meet President Emmanuel Macron amid a debate over whether to provide fighter jets for its war against Russia, after US President Joe Biden ruled out giving F-16s.

US issues license to Trinidad and Tobago to develop Venezuela offshore gas field

The Biden administration has granted a license to Trinidad and Tobago to develop a major gas field located in Venezuelan territorial waters, US and Trinidad officials said on Tuesday (24 January), marking a further easing of some sanctions on Venezuela.

The geoeconomics of Europe’s answer to the US inflation act

As the EU discusses its reaction to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), it has to keep in mind its position in the struggle between the US and China.

US Trade Representative Tai advocates a ‘new approach to trade’

The United States administration will seek a new approach to trade to create so-called inclusive prosperity, according to a visiting official, at a time the European Commission is set to respond to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Special counsel appointed to probe Biden’s handling of classified documents

US Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel on 12 January to probe the improper storage of classified documents at President Joe Biden's home and former office, an echo of a wider-ranging inquiry directed at former President Donald Trump.

EU-US battle over Spanish olive tariffs at standstill

The European Commission will continue to abide by the divisive US tariffs on Spanish black olives, while EU lawmakers and Spanish producers are seeking more EU support with legal fees and losses.

Lula slams far-right ‘terrorism’ as Brazil clears protest camps

Brazilian security forces cleared protest camps Monday (10 January) and arrested 1,500 people as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned "acts of terrorism" after a far-right mob stormed the seat of power, unleashing chaos on the capital.

Biden visits US-Mexico border as immigration issue heats up

President Joe Biden visited the US-Mexico border on Sunday (8 January) for the first time since taking office, tackling one of the most politically charged issues in the country as he prepares for a re-election bid.

Brazil police wrest back seat of power from pro-Bolsonaro rioters

Brazilian security forces wrested back control of Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court Sunday (8 January) after a flood of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the seat of power, unleashing chaos on the capital.

Kevin McCarthy elected Republican US House speaker, but at a cost

Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected speaker of the US House of Representatives early on Saturday (7 January), after making extensive concessions to a group of right-wing hardliners that raised questions about the party's ability to govern.

Facing pressure over border crossings, Biden steps up migrant expulsions

The United States will expand Trump-era restrictions to rapidly expel Cuban, Nicaraguan and Haitian migrants caught illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, President Joe Biden said on Thursday (5 January) in his first major speech on border security.

Ukraine, EU, US slap down Russia’s Orthodox Christmas ‘ceasefire’ proposal

Ukraine and its Western allies in the EU and US dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's calls for a 36-hour Russian Orthodox Christmas ceasefire as a ploy on Thursday (5 January), unlikely to slow the war, which has entered its 11th month.

US Republicans division in spotlight over House Speaker’s election

Republican Kevin McCarthy vowed on Tuesday (3 January) to remain in the race to be the powerful US House of Representatives speaker, hours after hardline members of his party repeatedly blocked his bid to lead their brand-new majority.

Arctic ‘bomb cyclone’ threatens holiday travel for millions of Americans

A dangerously frigid arctic air mass gripped a vast expanse of the United States on Thursday (22 December) as a looming winter storm of historic proportions threatened to upend travel plans for millions of Americans.

Invoking World War Two, Zelenskyy tells Congress aid is not charity

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the US Congress on Wednesday (21 December) that aid to Ukraine is an investment in democracy, not charity, and invoked American victory over the Nazis in a key World War Two battle to press for continued...

Zelenskyy flies to US in first visit abroad since Russia’s invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is travelling to Washington, to meet President Joe Biden and visit Congress on Wednesday (21 December), sources familiar with the matter said, in his first known overseas trip since Russia's invasion on 24 February.

EU leaders meet facing subsidy race with US in trade spat

EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday (15 December) will focus on a trade dispute with key ally the United States that threatens to trigger a subsidy race between the economic superpowers.

European Commission publishes draft adequacy decision on EU-US data flows

The European Commission initiated the formal process for adopting an adequacy decision on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework on Tuesday (13 December). But the third attempt to underpin transatlantic data transfers is bound to face more legal challenges. The draft...

G7 considers more air defence for Ukraine as fighting rages

Russian missiles, artillery and drones hammered targets in eastern and southern Ukraine, the Ukrainian General Staff said, as global economic powers pledged to beef up Kyiv's military capabilities with a focus on air defence.

Zelenskyy’s talks with other leaders signal diplomatic flurry around Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with US President Joe Biden and with the leaders of Turkey and France on Sunday (11 December), stepping up diplomatic activity around a war started by Russia nearly 10 months ago.

US, Britain launch partnership to boost LNG supplies

The United States and Britain announced on Wednesday (7 December) an energy partnership aimed at sustaining a higher level of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Britain and collaborating on ways to increase energy efficiency.

Russia presses unacceptable demands for peace talks

Vladimir Putin is "open to negotiations" on Ukraine but the West must accept Moscow's demands, the Kremlin said, after US President Joe Biden said he was willing to talk if Putin were looking for a way to end the war.

Biden, Macron vow unity on Ukraine and move to end subsidy tensions

Joe Biden on Thursday (1 December) used the first state visit of his presidency to demonstrate unity with France's Emmanuel Macron on Ukraine, show willingness to speak to Russia's Vladimir Putin and assuage European anger over US subsidies.