EU News Radio

“Absolute clarity” needed on US tariffs – McEntee

The European Commission is requesting full clarity on what steps the United States is going to take, following the US Supreme Court ruling on Donald Trump’s global tariffs. The Commission says it’s in close and continuous contact with the U.S. Administration.

Mr Trump is threatening to impose temporary global tariffs for one hundred and fifty days. However, over the weekend, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, said the US would not pull out of tariff deals it’s already entered into. This morning Foreign Minister Helen McEntee reiterated the EU’s calls for clarity. She was speaking in Brussels ahead of a Foreign affairs council. 

Dur: 00:20

Full Death toll of Russia-Ukraine war “truly shocking” – McGrath

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has praised what he calls the “resilience and strength” of the Ukrainian people as they continue to resist Russian aggression. Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Peace talks have been taking place between Russia and Ukraine. But so far they haven’t yielded a deal. Mr McGrath says it’s important there is full accountability for what Russia has done to Ukraine.

Dur: 00:18

Ireland will play “important role” on Ukraine – McGrath

Ireland will be in a “pivotal position” to help shape the EU agenda during its presidency of the Council of the European Union including attempts to achieve peace in Ukraine.

That’s the view of EU Commissioner Michael McGrath. He was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ireland takes over the EU presidency in July.

Dur: 00:16

Ireland to focus on EU-US working together – Harris

Tánaiste Simon HARRIS says Ireland will focus on trying to find areas where the EU and US can work together during its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union. He was speaking in Brussels today following an Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting there. Mr Harris says Europe’s strength lies in working together as a united bloc.

Dur: 00:20

Ireland “helpful role to play” in EU-US relations – Harris

Ireland can play a positive role in relations between the EU and US as it prepares to take over the presidency of the EU later this year. That’s according to Tánaiste Simon HARRIS, who was speaking in Brussels today following an Economic and Financial Affairs Council.

Dur: 00:13

Shein #kids’ toys “not compliant with EU law”

Tests of a number of children’s toys sold by e-commerce platform Shein, showed they did not comply with EU laws. That’s according to the European Commission which today opened formal proceedings against Shein under the EU’s Digital Services Act. The Commission is launching the investigation for a range of reasons. They include what it’s calling Shein’s “addictive design” and its sale of illegal products, including weapons and child sexual abuse material such as “child-like sex dolls”. 

European Commission spokesperson Thomas REGNIER says, research carried out on twenty seven children’s products sold by Shein, revealed disturbing results.

Dur: 00:28

Commission launches investigation into Shein

The European Commission has today opened formal proceedings against e-commerce giant Shein under the Digital Services Act. The Commission says it's launching the investigation for a range of reasons. They include what the Commission calls Shein's "addictive design” and its sale of “illegal products, including child sexual abuse material”. 

According to the Commission, Coimisiún na Meán, the Digital Services Coordinator for Ireland, will also be involved in the investigation, as the national Digital Services Coordinator in the country of Shein's establishment in the EU. European Commission spokesperson Thomas REGNIER today explained more about the case . 

Dur: 00:27

Europe needs to take care of “own defence needs”

Europe needs to take care of its own defence needs and EU defence ministers need to tackle delays in defence production. That’s according to EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius KUBILIUS. Speaking this morning in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr Kubilius said opinion polls clearly show that “in these dangerous times” people expect Europe to be strong in the world and in defence. And he said, the US expects Europe to take responsibility for its own conventional defence.

Dur: 00:14

EU calls for urgent ramping up of defence production

The EU’s Defence Commissioner is calling on the bloc to urgently ramp up its defence production and to strengthen the European portion of NATO. Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg this morning, Andrius KUBILIUS said Russia shows no sign of ending its war on Ukraine. And he warned, US strategic priorities are now focused on the Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.  

Mr Kubilius told the European Parliament, the US expects Europe to take responsibility for its own conventional defence. And that he said, means Europe needs to take care of its own defence needs.  

Dur: 00:25

EU “must radically step up” climate preparedness

Europe is not “sufficiently prepared” for the impact of extreme climate events such as the recent storms that badly hit several European countries. That’s the warning from the EU’s Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis management. Ireland has also suffered from heavy rainfall and flooding in recent weeks.

Speaking this morning in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Hadja LAHBIB said the EU is preparing a framework for climate resilience to build what she calls “resilience by design”.

Dur: 00:18