EU Confidential

In this discussion, Doug Busvine, an agriculture and trade expert at POLITICO, teams up with Josh Lipsky from the Atlantic Council to dissect Trump's surprising pause on tariffs. They analyze the implications for global trade dynamics, particularly in Europe, and discuss whether this signals a temporary truce or further turbulence ahead. The duo also explores how these developments could affect inflation in Europe and unveil the EU's strategic tools to counteract trade coercion. It’s a thrilling dive into the shifting tides of international trade!

Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister and leader of Mera25, teams up with Clea Caulcutt, POLITICO’s Paris correspondent. They dive into the political storm surrounding Marine Le Pen's legal troubles and the potential shift in France’s far-right landscape. Varoufakis controversially defends Le Pen, sparking a debate on the horseshoe theory of politics—are the far left and far right really so different? They explore the implications for European politics, trade tensions, and how these dynamics could reshape the continent's future.

Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a Brookings Institution fellow and Turkish politics expert, discusses the political upheaval following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor and Europe's muted response to Erdoğan’s authoritarian shift. She analyzes Turkey's growing significance for European security amid democratic concerns. Meanwhile, sustainability reporter Marianne Gros highlights crucial EU policy changes targeting food and textile waste, agriculture challenges, and strategies for local medicine production, revealing a proactive approach to pressing environmental and health issues.

Laurens Cerulus, POLITICO's cybersecurity editor, sheds light on Huawei’s alarming lobbying scandal that has resulted in police raids and questions about Beijing’s influence in Europe. He discusses the implications for EU lawmakers amidst concerns of corruption. Meanwhile, Chris Lunday, reporting from Berlin, highlights Germany's historic shift toward increased defense spending, breaking away from its conservative fiscal policies. This pivotal change reflects Europe’s urgent need to address security challenges in light of rising global tensions.

100 days in, Europe’s top leaders are facing a reality check. Ursula von der Leyen talks about a new sense of urgency — but is she leading, or just firefighting? António Costa wants to unify the bloc — but can he keep Europe together on defense? Kaja Kallas vowed to sharpen EU foreign policy — but after a snub in Washington, is anyone listening?With transatlantic ties fraying, host Sarah Wheaton sits down with Brussels top policy minds to assess whether Europe’s leadership is fit for purpose — or stuck in the past. Joining her are Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe; Karel Lannoo, CEO of the Centre for European Policy Studies; and Heather Grabbe, senior fellow at Bruegel.Later, Jacopo Barigazzi, POLITICO’s senior defense correspondent, introduces Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s first-ever defense commissioner, in our latest installment of Berlaymont Who’s Who.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mikko Patokallio, a Ukraine specialist at the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, and Elisa Braun, author of the EU Influence newsletter, dive into the fallout from the US-EU breakup affecting Ukraine. They discuss the complexities of achieving peace in Ukraine, focusing on trust-building and the challenges of negotiations with Russia. The conversation also touches upon the contentious debate surrounding EU funding for NGOs, revealing the rising political tensions and their implications for civil society and transparency in Europe.

In this engaging discussion, James Angelos, POLITICO's news editor in Berlin, Jana Puglierin, Senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Nick Vinocur, POLITICO's editor-at-large, analyze the implications of Friedrich Merz's election as Germany's chancellor-in-waiting. They explore the challenges of coalition-building amid a rise in extremist parties, the shifting dynamics of transatlantic relations, and Europe's urgent need for leadership in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine and energy independence.

In this discussion, Chris Lunday, a POLITICO reporter in Berlin, delves into the complexities of the upcoming German elections and the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. Jan Cienski provides a deep dive into Europe’s evolving defense policies amid shifting global dynamics, particularly regarding Ukraine. Joanna Roberts highlights the tension between the EU's green goals and the need to support struggling industries. Together, they illuminate Europe's urgent quest for resilience against external pressures and internal challenges.

Veronika Melkozerova, a POLITICO correspondent in Kyiv, shares firsthand insights on Ukraine's challenges amid shifting U.S. diplomacy led by Trump and Putin. Clea Caulcutt, a senior correspondent in Paris, discusses how these developments impact EU politics and trade tensions. Robert Biedroń, a Member of the European Parliament and LGBTQ rights activist, provides a personal look at his partnership with Krzysztof Śmiszek, highlighting the intersection of love and political activism in an evolving landscape.

Alessandro Ford, POLITICO's agriculture reporter known for his insights into European food politics, discusses how the Mediterranean diet has become a political battleground in Europe amidst rising gastro-nationalism. Topics include Italy’s resistance to EU dietary regulations and the cultural identity tied to traditional foods. Pieter Haeck, a tech reporter at POLITICO, highlights the challenges faced by European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen in regulating Big Tech, especially with rising online meddling and Elon Musk's influence on EU policies.