The EU-Mercosur trade deal is moving ahead but the Irish Farmers’ Association is game-planning its final effort to get the agreement tossed out by the European Parliament.
Ireland says no but Mercosur may very well pass today – after 25 years of to-and-fro. The thorny issues at play and drawn-out negotiations send a bad signal to other would-be trading partners.
The European Commission has made overtures to AerCap but the lessor has not signalled any interest in investing in the defence sector.
Ireland takes on the EU presidency in the second half of 2026 but Cyprus holds the ball now and will be expected to make meaningful progress on big-ticket items before Dublin takes over.
China’s massive internal devaluation and rising overcapacity are colliding with Europe’s high costs and exchange rate. If things continue as they are, Europe’s deindustrialisation could happen much sooner than we realise.
Friday’s €120m fine against Elon Musk’s social media site, which has its EU office in Ireland, is on the lower end of the spectrum. Now is the European Commission ready for a battle with the billionaire on reforms to the platform?
The EU is planning an expansive effort to loosen state aid rules for local authorities on housing. The Department of Housing has seconded officials to help.
The $20bn AI firm had used an Irish company as a point of contact for EU tech laws on compliance measures such as GDPR, but in recent weeks shifted that function to an Austrian outfit.
Commissioner Michael McGrath is spearheading new measures to preserve democracy against AI threats. The US administration and big tech won’t take a new slate of rules lying down.
Ireland’s critique of the EU-Mercosur trade deal is causing increasing frustration in Brussels but MEPs are taking their time to pore over the fine print on new safeguards for farmers.
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