Eurotopics.net

At least eleven people were killed and several others wounded in a mass shooting at an adult education centre in the Swedish city of Örebro on Tuesday. According to the police, the perpetrator was probably among the dead. So far there are no indications that the attack was motivated by terrorism. Commentators take stock.

Donald Trump imposed high tariffs on goods coming from Mexico and Canada on the weekend, only to suspend the measure for 30 days after talks with the countries' leaders. New tariffs against China came into force, to which Beijing responded with counter-tariffs. Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on the EU "pretty soon." Commentators discuss how Europe should react to a looming trade war with the US.

EU leaders convened for a special summit on Monday to discuss how to finance more spending on defence. Although no agreement was reached on joint European debt, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a generous interpretation of the debt rules. In addition to defence spending, commentators discuss the larger geopolitical issues at stake.

A long-prepared and technically complicated step is due to take place as quietly as possible this weekend: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania plan to sever their last remaining connection with the post-Soviet electricity system, known as the Brell ring, on Saturday. Once certain test runs have been completed they will then synchronise their electricity grids with the rest of Europe, probably on Sunday. Commentators take a closer look.