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France Pushes to Delay EU Mercosur Trade Deal Vote Amid Farmer Protests

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France is urging the European Union to delay a vote on ratifying the EU–Mercosur free trade agreement, citing strong opposition from farmers and recent protests across the country. The deal with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, signed a year ago but not yet ratified, aims to open new markets for European exporters facing pressure from U.S. tariffs and Chinese competition. However, French farmers fear an influx of cheaper agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards.

As Europe’s largest agricultural producer, France is trying to build a blocking minority of EU member states to halt or postpone the vote in Brussels. While the European Commission has proposed safeguard measures for farmers, Paris has dismissed them as insufficient. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has called for delaying the vote until after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s planned visit to Brazil later this month, arguing that farmers’ concerns have not been adequately addressed.

The debate has exposed divisions within the EU, with countries such as Poland, Hungary, Austria and Ireland expressing sympathy for France’s stance, while Germany and business groups warn against missing a strategic trade opportunity. Italy’s position could prove decisive, as its industrial sector supports the deal but its farming community opposes it. At home, resistance in France is being fuelled by political pressure, livestock disease outbreaks and broader discontent in rural areas, making the Mercosur agreement a highly sensitive issue.

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Germany Faces Sharp Population Decline and Rapid Ageing, Says Statistics Office

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Germany’s population is projected to shrink significantly over the coming decades, with the national statistics office warning that the country could lose nearly 10 million people by 2070. As the large baby boomer generation ages, Germany is expected to have one in four citizens over the age of 67 within the next decade. By 2038, around 21 million residents—27% of the population—will be of pension age.

This rapid demographic shift is worsening labour shortages across Europe’s largest economy, with businesses increasingly struggling to find workers. The trend is also fuelling political tensions, as debates over immigration intensify and support grows for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has surged in many opinion polls amid concerns about social and economic pressures.

Germany’s welfare system is expected to come under mounting strain, with the ratio of pensioners to workers projected to rise sharply. Currently, there are 33 retirees for every 100 working-age individuals, but in the worst-case scenario that figure could climb to 61 by 2070—leaving fewer than two workers contributing for each pension recipient. Only two out of 27 scenarios envision population growth, and both rely on higher immigration and increased birth rates.

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Belgium Opposes EU Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

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Belgium has raised strong objections to the European Union’s plan to use frozen Russian assets to provide a “reparations loan” to Ukraine. Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot argue that tapping €140bn of Russian state assets held in Belgium could expose the country to massive legal risks and potential bankruptcy if Russia takes action. They have called for an alternative approach, suggesting the EU borrow the necessary funds from financial markets instead.

Most EU countries, including Germany, support the proposal, viewing it as an urgent way to fund Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing Russian attacks. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas argue that a reparations loan would strengthen Europe’s position against Moscow and could incentivize Russia to negotiate peace. However, legal experts and Belgium’s central securities depository, Euroclear, caution that lending these frozen assets carries significant financial and legal dangers.

The European Commission is preparing a legal framework to address the plan, but disagreements among member states have delayed progress. Belgium insists on legally binding guarantees to share risk with other EU countries, while Russia has threatened decades of litigation if the assets are used for Ukraine. With the EU summit approaching, a final decision on the contentious proposal remains uncertain.

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EU Stands Firm on Denmark’s Sovereignty Amid U.S. Greenland Interest

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The European Union has strongly reaffirmed its support for Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, following repeated comments from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential acquisition of the Arctic island. European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the importance of Denmark’s territorial integrity, calling it an “essential issue” for the EU in an interview on Wednesday. Costa’s statement aligns with the position of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who declared that the bloc would not entertain any negotiations over Greenland’s status.

Trump has expressed that Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, holds strategic significance for U.S. national security, and has even suggested the possibility of using military or economic power to secure the island. The U.S. operates a military base in northwestern Greenland, which functions as a ballistic missile early-warning system. However, both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected Trump’s claims, with Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede stating that the island’s people should determine their own future.

In response to growing concerns about Arctic security, NATO and Denmark have agreed to bolster Arctic defense measures, with Denmark committing to an additional $2 billion in defense spending. Despite the tensions over Greenland, both Greenland and Denmark have made it clear that the island is not for sale, maintaining their position on the region’s territorial sovereignty.

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Britain and EU Clash Over Post-Brexit Fishing Rights in Hague Tribunal

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Britain and the European Union have taken their first legal dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The case, which began on Tuesday, centers on whether Britain’s ban on fishing sandeels in its North Sea waters breaches the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). A three-member panel of legal experts from France, New Zealand, and South Africa will hear arguments for three days and deliver a final ruling by late April. The ban, justified by Britain as necessary for ecological balance, has sparked tensions, with the EU calling it discriminatory and disproportionate.

Though the financial impact is minor, with Britain estimating a maximum revenue loss of £45 million for non-UK vessels, the political ramifications could be significant. A ruling against the ban may lead to EU retaliation, potentially straining Britain’s efforts to “reset” relations with the bloc under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Environmental groups and Brexiteers have also urged the government to stand firm, creating further complications.

The case highlights broader tensions between the UK and EU, as both sides aim to resolve trade and regulatory disagreements post-Brexit. Britain is also exploring a veterinary agreement to ease food trade and closer defense cooperation with EU leaders. The fishing ban specifically affects Danish fleets that harvest sandeels for animal feed and oil production, while British vessels do not target the species.

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Noyb Files Privacy Complaint Against Chinese Firms Over EU Data Transfers

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Vienna-based privacy advocacy group Noyb (None Of Your Business) has filed a landmark privacy complaint against six Chinese companies, including TikTok, Shein, Xiaomi, and AliExpress, alleging unlawful transfers of European Union (EU) user data to China. The complaints, filed across four European countries, seek to halt data transfers and impose fines of up to 4% of global revenues under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The companies reportedly admitted to sending user data to China or undisclosed third countries suspected to be China, raising concerns over inadequate data protection in the authoritarian state.

This marks Noyb’s first complaint against Chinese firms, though it has previously targeted U.S. tech giants like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta, resulting in significant fines and investigations. According to Noyb, GDPR prohibits data transfers to countries that fail to meet EU privacy standards. “China is an authoritarian surveillance state, and transferring Europeans’ personal data there is clearly unlawful,” stated Kleanthi Sardeli, a Noyb data protection lawyer. Companies implicated include TikTok, AliExpress, Shein, Temu, Xiaomi, and Tencent’s WeChat.

Chinese firms have been increasingly scrutinized by global regulators, with TikTok particularly under fire. The app faces a federal ban in the U.S. and is under European Commission investigation for allegedly failing to limit election interference, notably in Romania’s presidential elections. The case underscores mounting global concerns about data privacy and foreign surveillance risks tied to Chinese technology companies.

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EU Considers Offshore Migrant Processing as Debate on Deportations Intensifies

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested that the EU could learn from Italy’s controversial policy of processing migrants offshore in Albania. As leaders of the 27 member states gathered for an EU summit focusing on migration, von der Leyen highlighted the need to address low deportation rates of irregular migrants, currently at just 20%. Italy has already begun transferring migrants to Albania, with 16 men sent to a processing center in Shengjin, although some vulnerable individuals were returned to Italy. The Italian government has spent €650 million on two centers where asylum claims will be examined under Italian law, excluding children and vulnerable people.

This move has sparked debate within the EU, with some member states exploring similar solutions. The Dutch government is considering sending rejected asylum seekers to Uganda, while several other nations, including Poland, France, and Germany, have taken steps to tighten immigration controls and enforcement in response to rising far-right support. Recent violent crimes involving failed asylum seekers in Germany and France have intensified calls for tougher deportation policies, prompting some member states to reintroduce border checks or propose further restrictions.

Italy’s agreement with Albania has faced sharp criticism from NGOs and opposition politicians, who argue it is inhumane and ineffective. However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended the plan as a bold new approach aligned with the “European spirit.” The success of this scheme is being closely watched by other EU nations as they search for ways to balance public pressure on migration with humanitarian concerns.

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TikTok withdraws ‘Lite’ rewards from EU to comply with tech rules

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ByteDance’s TikTok has agreed to permanently discontinue its TikTok Lite rewards program in the EU to comply with the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), according to a statement from the European Commission on Monday.

The TikTok Lite app includes a “Reward Programme” that allows users to accumulate points by completing various tasks on the platform, such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, or inviting friends to join.

In April, the EU requested an immediate risk assessment from TikTok following the app’s launch in France and Spain, citing concerns about its potential effects on children and users’ mental health.

Under the DSA, major online platforms are required to report potential risks associated with new features to the EU prior to their launch and must implement effective measures to mitigate these risks.

The EU’s executive branch noted that TikTok has made legally binding commitments to withdraw the rewards program from the EU and not to introduce any alternative programs that could circumvent this decision. Any violation of these commitments would constitute a breach of the DSA and could result in fines, the commission stated.

Additionally, an ongoing investigation is looking into whether TikTok has violated online content regulations designed to protect children and ensure transparent advertising. This investigation began in February and could expose the platform to significant fines.

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‘Vast number’ of abuse reports on EU border, agency says

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The EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) is urging more thorough investigations into alleged human rights violations against migrants and refugees by authorities at the EU’s borders, including areas in the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and the English Channel. In a recent report, FRA highlighted the concerning lack of investigations despite numerous credible reports of loss of life and mistreatment along the EU’s land and sea borders.

The agency pointed out that allegations of severe human rights abuses include physical violence, neglect in rescuing individuals in distress, and forced family separations. FRA noted that victims often do not report these incidents to law enforcement due to their vulnerable circumstances.

In France, a civil society organization indicated that only one out of ten cases reported to them in Calais resulted in a formal complaint. Lawyers and civil society groups have stated that victims may hesitate to file complaints due to a lack of trust in the authorities or fear of repercussions on their asylum applications. Additionally, smugglers sometimes advise against reporting such incidents.

An example illustrating the difficulties faced by investigators occurred in October 2022 when French police apprehended an unaccompanied child hiding in a truck bound for the United Kingdom. The child was later found unconscious with a fractured skull by volunteers, who reported the incident to the public prosecutor in Boulogne-sur-Mer. However, when investigators attempted to reach the child a month later, he had already left for the UK and could not be located.

The report centers on border management and does not address asylum-related administrative procedures. FRA expressed concern that the limited number of investigations into these cases reflects poorly on the operations of border management authorities. The agency also noted that even when incidents are looked into, very few result in national court convictions, creating a prevailing sense of impunity.

FRA’s Director, Sirpa Rautio, emphasized that Europe has a “duty” to treat all individuals at its borders “fairly, respectfully, and in full compliance with human rights law.” She called for the implementation of “effective and rights-compliant border management practices” and thorough investigations into all reported instances of rights abuses.

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Meloni Meets Xi: Relaunching Italy-China Relations

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Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described China as an “important interlocutor” for managing global tensions during her meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Xi acknowledged the “long-established friendly” relations and emphasized “tolerance, mutual trust, and mutual respect” between the two nations.

On her first visit to China since taking office, Meloni and Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed a three-year plan aimed at enhancing economic cooperation. This five-day trip follows Meloni’s decision last year to withdraw Italy from President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a move motivated by the disappointing returns on the significant investment scheme intended to boost bilateral trade.

Meloni framed her visit as an effort to “relaunch” the Italy-China relationship. After discussions with Xi at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, she noted the rising global insecurity and the necessity for China to play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Meloni highlighted the need for the two countries to collaborate for stability and peace.

Italy’s prime minister’s office reported that their talks covered various global governance issues, including the Ukraine conflict, potential escalations in the Middle East, and increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Xi called for both nations to “uphold the spirit of the Silk Road” to foster a new era in East-West relations, stating that both sides have significant opportunities for mutual growth and welcoming Italian investments in China while expressing a willingness to import more high-quality Italian goods.

Italy was the only major Western nation to sign onto the BRI, which was met with strong criticism from the US and other Western countries. Since assuming office in 2022, Meloni has adopted a more pro-Western and pro-NATO stance than her predecessors, previously criticizing the prior government’s decision to join the BRI as a “serious mistake.” Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for the Asia Pacific at Natixis, remarked that Meloni’s absence from the BRI allows her to engage with China on a more equal footing, as a partner rather than a subordinate.

Under Meloni’s leadership, Italy has blocked a Chinese state-owned firm from acquiring the tire manufacturer Pirelli and supported the European Commission’s recent move to impose tariffs of up to 37.6% on electric vehicles imported from China. Trade between Italy and China reached 66.8 billion euros (£56.3 billion) last year, making China Italy’s largest non-EU trading partner after the US.

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