Eurotopics.net

Donald Trump has imposed a 25 percent tariff on goods coming from Mexico and Canada, together with a ten percent tariff on Canadian energy imports and all goods from China. The US President justified the move saying it was aimed at countering the threat of "illegal aliens and deadly drugs" crossing US borders. The three affected countries have announced countermeasures. Europe's press shows little understanding for Trump's move.

A new government has been formed in Belgium under the leadership of Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever. His N-VA party, which seeks greater autonomy for the Flanders region, has formed a coalition with the liberal MR, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats. Commentators discuss what lies in store for the country.

Three and a half years passed between the Brexit referendum in June 2016 and its official implementation on 31 January 2020. The UK and the EU have been trying to reorganise their relationship ever since. Five years after the UK's departure, frustration prevails in the commentaries - albeit for very different reasons.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented a plan called the "Competitiveness Compass" which aims to boost the European economy's global competitiveness. The strategy is based on the report presented in September by former ECB chief Mario Draghi. "Europe has everything it needs to succeed in the race to the top," von der Leyen said. Not all commentators share her optimism.