European Union

Looking back, the return of Donald Trump to the White House, and, in the early phase, the role played by Elon Musk in reshaping the U.S. foreign aid approach has, to a large extent, foreshadowed what the second Trump administration would become. This profile consists of: (i) crude transactionalism, (ii) a strong ideological foundation (with significant elements of authoritarian libertarianism), (iii) a high degree of chaos with decisions not necessarily based on strategic or even tactical considerations, and (iv) an obsession with disruption. The wide range of current initiatives, coalitions, commissions, and conferences that are discussing development cooperation, as well as efforts to reflect on narratives, international aid governance, and resource mobilisation, are thus operating in a highly hostile environment shaped by the U.S. administration assault on long standing policy norms. European leaders could speak out more clearly about what can be seen as an open challenge those norms. They could also advance a more proactive narrative and, importantly, refuse to de facto repurpose development institutions and decide not to follow the fundamental ODA reductions by the United States.

Looking back, the return of Donald Trump to the White House, and, in the early phase, the role played by Elon Musk in reshaping the U.S. foreign aid approach has, to a large extent, foreshadowed what the second Trump administration would become. This profile consists of: (i) crude transactionalism, (ii) a strong ideological foundation (with significant elements of authoritarian libertarianism), (iii) a high degree of chaos with decisions not necessarily based on strategic or even tactical considerations, and (iv) an obsession with disruption. The wide range of current initiatives, coalitions, commissions, and conferences that are discussing development cooperation, as well as efforts to reflect on narratives, international aid governance, and resource mobilisation, are thus operating in a highly hostile environment shaped by the U.S. administration assault on long standing policy norms. European leaders could speak out more clearly about what can be seen as an open challenge those norms. They could also advance a more proactive narrative and, importantly, refuse to de facto repurpose development institutions and decide not to follow the fundamental ODA reductions by the United States.

Also, in Tuesday’s edition: Ribera’s sauce andalouse, Taliban transparency, illicit drugs

The Critical Medicines Act is intended to reduce Europe’s dependence on China and India for key medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients

Newly agreed measures aim to boost competitiveness and enhance the availability and supply of critical medicines in the EU.
Committee on Public Health

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Newly agreed measures aim to boost competitiveness and enhance the availability and supply of critical medicines in the EU.
Committee on Public Health

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Agora and RAP could create Europe's largest green transition policy shop

The case exposed the difficulties of presenting a clean break from the Orbán era

“If we don’t innovate, it will be China and the US making the calls,” warns Philippe Aghion

A president who defines himself as a deal-maker cannot return from Beijing empty-handed. In diplomacy, the side that needs the deal more is the side that concedes more

"We'll be a member of the European Union" by then, Ferit Hoxha tells Euractiv

“The situation is far from over,” the Commission's health director warns

Several capitals want expert input on whether Commission’s legal wrangling holds up

Euractiv first reported last month on plans for politically sensitive deportation talks with the Taliban in Brussels

Europe's health systems face fiscal reckoning over failure to invest in prevention

Some proposed clinical trial rules could create hurdles for smaller countries while failing to ensure high quality and patient safety

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

More than 60 of Labour's 403 MPs have asked him to step down

The EU foreign policy chief says she could see through the Kremlin's "traps"

With the Kremlin ever more conscious of war fatigue and devastating losses on the front, what once was a foregone conclusion now appears in a very different light