EU News Radio

Increase in EU defence expenditure ahead – Donohoe

Finance ministers will be reflecting on how quickly security conditions have changed in recent days. So says Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe who was speaking ahead of a Eurogroup meeting in Brussels today. He says defence expenditure in Europe will increase even further in the years ahead. And the debate on how exactly to do that will open up quickly according to Minister Donohoe. 

Dur: 00:30

VDL calls for Europe to be AI leader

The President of the European Commission says she wants Europe to be one of the leading Artificial Intelligence continents in the world. And she says that means embracing a way of life where AI is everywhere.

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris which was also attended by the US Vice-President JD VANCE. President von der Leyen told the summit, we are only at the beginning of the development of Artificial Intelligence.

Dur: 00:17

US Tariffs “lose lose scenario” – EU

The EU is currently assessing the scope of the recently announced US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. And the bloc will “act to safeguard” its economic interests and will respond in a “firm and proportionate way” with countermeasures.

That’s according to the EU Trade Commissioner who was speaking in the European Parliament this morning. Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ said the EU “deeply” regrets the US decision to impose  twenty five percent (25%)  tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the US from March (12^th).  

Dur: 00:57

EU “deeply” regrets US tariffs – Sefcovic

The EU Trade Commissioner has strongly condemned the US imposition of twenty five percent (25%)  tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the US from March (12^th).   

Speaking in the European Parliament (in Strasbourg) this morning, Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ said the EU “deeply” regrets the US decisions. And he said the EU “sees no justification for the imposition of tariffs” on EU exports which he said were “economically counterproductive”.   

Dur: 00:14

EU will be “calm” “engaging” & “constructive” with US – Sefcovic

The EU is ready for positive engagement with the new US administration and is ready to engage very quickly to discuss how the US views its relationship with the EU.

That’s according to the EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ. He was speaking in Warsaw where EU Trade and Industry Ministers have been meeting today. They discussed the potential imposition of US tariffs on EU imports.

Dur: 00:54

“Critical” to keep lines of communication open with US – Burke

The state of EU-US relations will be a key topic of discussion today in Warsaw where EU Trade and Industry ministers are meeting.

Peter Burke,  Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is attending the meeting. Speaking ahead of it this morning, Minister Burke said the EU-US is the largest global trading relationship and that it’s critical to protect it and keep negotiations open.

Dur: 00:21

EU “will respond firmly” if hit “unfairly” by US tariffs – ŠEFČOVIČ

The state of EU-US trade relations will be discussed this afternoon by EU Trade and Industry ministers who’re meeting in Warsaw today. The EU’s Trade Commissioner said the bloc is “ready to engage immediately” with the US. Speaking in Warsaw this morning, Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ said they’re hoping early engagement with the US will help avoid disturbing what he called “the most important trade and investment relationship on this planet”.

Dur: 00:12

CAP Simplification “very high” on EU Agenda – Hansen

Reducing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) administrative burdens and simplification of CAP rules are “very high” on the EU agenda. That’s according to the new EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food who visited Ireland last week.

Christophe Hansen made the comments following a meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels yesterday. The Commissioner says CAP simplification is something everybody asks for. And he said it was raised when he met farmers during his recent trips to Ireland and elsewhere in the EU.  

Dur: 00:20

EU energy aid for Ireland for Storm damage

The EU is to send thirteen power generators to Ireland following its request for help with power outages caused by Storm Éowyn. And Denmark has also offered an additional four generators. The decision to send the generators comes after the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It’s there to help countries hit by a disaster.

European Commission Spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová said the EU replied swiftly to Ireland’s request for help.  

Dur: 00:41

EU US trade relationship “absolutely paramount”– Heydon

The new Minister for Agriculture says he will highlight the importance of the EU-US trade relationship during today’s EU ministerial meetings. Martin Heydon was speaking in Brussels where he’s been attending an EU Agriculture and Fisheries meeting.

Dur: 00:27