{"id":1948804,"date":"2026-05-22T07:00:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T04:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1948804"},"modified":"2026-05-22T07:00:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T04:00:29","slug":"newsletter-eu-makes-its-trade-play-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1948804","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter: EU makes its trade play in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/32\/1200x675_cmsv2_1c384123-4a30-5703-89ea-39c62fa39516-9768532.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895663-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2895663\" data-cid=\"9768537\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895663-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_16e2ce7c-8415-5acd-a2b7-b58bce2fe1c6-9768350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump takes part in an event devoted to easing federal regulations on refrigerants in the Oval Office of the White House, 21 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More US troops in Poland &#8211; What does the country have to say about it\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895696-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2895696\" data-cid=\"9768595\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895696-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_d122a003-e4f1-53d2-9faf-05e61d4e069d-9768503.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vincent Bollor\u00e9 attends a hearing before a parliamentary inquiry commission at the National Assembly in Paris on Wednesday, 13 March 2024.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood stars sign petition against Bollor\u00e9\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894870-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894870\" data-cid=\"9768447\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894870-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/40\/62\/189x106_cmsv2_34939c74-5be6-504d-9582-f314923fe331-9764062.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Outside a prison facility\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hunger and overcrowding in Europe&#8217;s prisons: where is your country?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895706-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2895706\" data-cid=\"9768549\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895706-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_2d7ef565-d803-569d-8407-58a5c563c9fb-9768549.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Flames and smoke rise from an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Congo, Thursday, May 21, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Democratic Republic Of Congo<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Angry crowd sets fire to Ebola treatment center in Congo\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895663-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2895663\" data-cid=\"9768537\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895663-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_16e2ce7c-8415-5acd-a2b7-b58bce2fe1c6-9768350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump takes part in an event devoted to easing federal regulations on refrigerants in the Oval Office of the White House, 21 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More US troops in Poland &#8211; What does the country have to say about it\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895696-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2895696\" data-cid=\"9768595\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895696-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_d122a003-e4f1-53d2-9faf-05e61d4e069d-9768503.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vincent Bollor\u00e9 attends a hearing before a parliamentary inquiry commission at the National Assembly in Paris on Wednesday, 13 March 2024.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood stars sign petition against Bollor\u00e9\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894870-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894870\" data-cid=\"9768447\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894870-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/40\/62\/189x106_cmsv2_34939c74-5be6-504d-9582-f314923fe331-9764062.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Outside a prison facility\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hunger and overcrowding in Europe&#8217;s prisons: where is your country?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895706-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2895706\" data-cid=\"9768549\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895706-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_2d7ef565-d803-569d-8407-58a5c563c9fb-9768549.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Flames and smoke rise from an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Congo, Thursday, May 21, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Democratic Republic Of Congo<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Angry crowd sets fire to Ebola treatment center in Congo\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Newsletter: EU makes its trade play in Mexico<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/32\/1536x864_cmsv2_1c384123-4a30-5703-89ea-39c62fa39516-9768532.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Severiano A. Rocillo waves a Mexican flag while walking in the annual Cinco de Mayo parade Saturday, 5 May, 2007.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Severiano A. Rocillo waves a Mexican flag while walking in the annual Cinco de Mayo parade Saturday, 5 May, 2007.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Copyright 2007 AP. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Copyright 2007 AP. All rights reserved.\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAngela Skujins\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779433229\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-05-22 09:00:29 +02:00\">22\/05\/2026 &#8211; 9:00 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"09:01\">9:01<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay 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height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        As top European Union officials travel to Mexico on Friday to finalise a revived EU-Mexico trade deal, NATO foreign ministers will meet for a second day in Sweden to try to decipher Washington\u2019s increasingly confusing military posture in Europe.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Good morning, readers. Angela Skujins here, guiding you into the final stretch of the working week. A quick reminder: there\u2019ll be no newsletter or Europe Today on Monday for the Whit Monday holiday. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But before Brussels empties out for a sun-soaked public holiday weekend, Friday\u2019s political menu is already sizzling. It&#8217;s stuffed with economic tensions, transatlantic ties and the question of how much Europe can still count on Washington.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s start with the cash crunch.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis spoke to Euronews\u2019 Europe Editor <strong>Maria Tadeo<\/strong> about his economic analysis from February to April \u2013 a period compounded by energy price shocks triggered by the war in Iran and inflation. The short of it: \u201cWe do not see a recession but rather further slowdown of the economy,\u201d Dombrovskis said.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the financial pain, of inflation expected to reach 3.1% this year, the EU&#8217;s economic chief was firm that that Europe would not turn to Russia for relief. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We already saw back in 2022 that Russia tried to use its fossil fuel supplies as a tool for blackmail and manipulation, and we paid a quite dear economic price for having this dependency,&#8221; he said, adding: &#8220;There&#8217;s no point of going back to this.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the European Commission to treat the energy crisis like the defence ramp-up and demanded the loosening of fiscal rules. The aim: ease rules for households and industries struggling with soaring energy costs. <\/p>\n<p>Dombrovskis said flexibility already exists in the framework and any new support measures need to be \u201ctemporary and targeted\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Brussels would not be giving Rome the total cold shoulder, though. \u201cWe have a number of automatic stabilisers which can play out, which allows for, in a sense, certain fiscal buffers,\u201d Dombrovskis said. \u201cWe are doing this assessment and preparing it.\u201d Watch the whole interview on Europe Today.<\/p>\n<p>Roughly 9,200 kilometres away, the bloc\u2019s top brass will aim to solidify a renewed trade deal that would not only slash import duties and lower costs on a range of goods, but also send a strong signal across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n<p>The Mexico City summit will be attended by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Presidents of the European Commission and Council \u2013 Ursula von der Leyen and Ant\u00f3nio Costa. Negotiator Javi L\u00f3pez, the European Parliament\u2019s Vice-President, will also be in the crowd. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking to <strong>Mared Gwyn Jones<\/strong> on Europe Today, the politician said the deal will \u201cmodernise\u201d EU-Mexico ties and ensure \u201cpredictable trade\u201d where commercial relationships are being used in a coercive manner.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter the rise of Trump to the White House, we have been forced to think more strategically and act more maturely in the world,\u201d L\u00f3pez said. <\/p>\n<p>A senior EU official said the summit is also Brussels sending a geopolitical message. According to reporting by <strong>Peggy Corlin<\/strong>, Mexico is seen by the Europeans as a like-minded partner \u2013 an entity adhering to the rules-based order which seems to be increasingly challenged by China and the US.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both sides are looking to diversify and de-risk,&#8221; the same official said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Now, two brief notes on defence. \u200b<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>NATO foreign affairs ministers are meeting for the second day of talks in Helsingborg, Sweden, amid growing unease over the future of European security and the transatlantic alliance, our NATO expert <strong>Shona Murray<\/strong> reports.<\/p>\n<p>Ministers are awaiting further details from the US about which military capabilities will no longer be available to NATO. This is part of Washington&#8217;s plans to scale back the support it would provide Europeans in the event of invasion or war.<\/p>\n<p>But questions about how this strategy fits with the news that came in overnight that US President Donald Trump would deploy an additional 5,000 American troops in Poland. We wonder how this U-turn will be swallowed by military officials in the Swedish city, so keep an eye on Euronews for more analysis. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to speak with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about \u201cjoint pressure\u201d and whether this can strengthen Kyiv\u2019s position in negotiations with Moscow over Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Merz&#8217;s plan of &#8216;associate EU membership&#8217; for Ukraine gets mixed reviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz\u2019s groundbreaking plan to grant Ukraine \u201cassociate membership\u201d in the European Union has received mixed reviews in Brussels, with questions raised about its legality, feasibility and political implications.<\/p>\n<p>In a letter to his fellow leaders, seen by Euronews, Merz proposes a tailor-made status that would give Ukraine access to decision-making bodies without voting rights and certain EU-funded programmes on a \u201cstep-by-step\u201d basis. He also envisions Kyiv able to request assistance from other member states in the event of a new Russian aggression through Article 42.7 of the EU treaties. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is now time to boldly move on with Ukraine\u2019s EU integration through innovative solutions as immediate steps forward,\u201d Merz tells his peers.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission, which oversees the accession process and wants to break the stalemate on Ukraine\u2019s bid, welcomed the proposal as showing a \u201cstrong commitment from member states to make enlargement a reality as soon as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>But diplomats were noticeably sceptical. \u201cI don\u2019t see how this could work from a legal point of view,\u201d one said. The letter is \u201ca rather hasty statement, and not very well coordinated. The timing is strange,\u201d said another.<\/p>\n<p>Will Merz succeed in convincing his peers? It\u2019s a big test for his European influence. <strong>Jorge Liboreiro<\/strong> and <strong>Ma\u00efa de la Baume<\/strong> break down the mixed reviews.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Israel says all Gaza flotilla activists have been deported amid global outrage over their treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s foreign ministry said on Thursday that foreign activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by Israeli forces have been deported, as international outcry over their treatment by authorities continues.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;All foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel,&#8221; the ministry said in a statement posted on X. &#8220;Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The roughly 430 activists from countries around the world had been placed in detention in Israel after being intercepted at sea on Monday near Cyprus. They were undertaking the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of Gaza by Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Leaders across the world had been calling for the detainees&#8217; release after video footage emerged of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting them while in custody.<\/p>\n<p>Footage posted to his X account showed Ben-Gvir berating detainees and waving a large Israeli flag as they were forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs. \u201cWelcome to Israel, we are the landlords,\u201d he can be heard saying in the video.<\/p>\n<p>Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday said their treatment was &#8220;unacceptable&#8221; and called on the European Union to sanction the minister. Ireland and Spain are also pressing for EU sanctions against Ben-Gvir. <strong>Nathan Rennolds<\/strong> has more.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More from our newsrooms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Eiffel Tower staircase section sells at auction for over \u20ac450,000<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The artwork? Just 24 rust-coloured steps, arranged in a spiral. Yet this section of staircase sold for \u20ac450,160 on Thursday 21 May at an auction at the Artcurial auction house. And with good reason: these 24 steps once formed part of the 1,665 that run up the Eiffel Tower. <strong>C\u00e9lia Gueuti<\/strong> has the story.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Rubio says US focused on changing politics in Cuba as Havana accepts \u20ac86m in aid<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuba on Thursday that the United States was laser-focused on changing the communist system, after the island was stunned by a US indictment of its former president Ra\u00fal Castro. Rubio also said Cuba had tentatively accepted an offer by the United States of $100 million (\u20ac86 million) in aid in return for reforms. <strong>Juan Carlos de Santos<\/strong> and <strong>Gavin Blackburn<\/strong> dig in.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>European carmakers face EU pressure to diversify chip suppliers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>European carmakers will be required to buy chips from at least two suppliers in certain cases and to incorporate supply chain resilience into their procurement decisions, according to a draft law the European Commission is expected to present next month. After a series of supply chain shocks, the EU is set to impose mandatory measures on the likes of Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault to prevent excessive dependence on a single chip supplier, most notably from China, according to two EU officials. <strong>Luca Bertuzzi<\/strong> offers his analysis. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>We&#8217;re also keeping an eye on<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Finance ministers from the eurozone will meet in Nicosia, Cyprus.<\/li>\n<li>A roundtable on how Europe can be better prepared for crises starts at 2:30pm in Brussels.<\/li>\n<li>European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva will meet with President of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) Isabel Rubio in Brussels, Belgium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That\u2019s it for today. Peggy Corlin, Mared Gwyn Jones and Shona Murray contributed to this newsletter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Trump to send additional 5,000 US troops to Poland<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  &#8216;Turning crisis into opportunity&#8217;: How Lithuania became a wild card for the EU&#8217;s clean energy race<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Brussels to remove remaining barriers with Mexico as the allies review their trade agreement<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  trade agreement<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  NATO<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Mexico<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895639-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895639\" data-cid=\"9768313\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895639-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/01\/320x180_cmsv2_878879e3-02a7-5c5d-a32f-913b2d502944-9768201.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump in his limousine at Andrews Air Force Base, 20 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump to send extra 5,000 US troops to Poland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895643-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895643\" data-cid=\"9768229\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895643-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/29\/320x180_cmsv2_32c98716-61e1-58e9-93f6-50675f440021-9768229.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The US Capitol building is seen, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Republicans cancel vote on War Powers Resolution that was near passing<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895659-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895659\" data-cid=\"9768345\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895659-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_8c126a3f-894d-5ca5-bf92-0c90dadef407-9768345.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends at a press conference at the US Embassy in Rome, Friday, May 8, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rubio doubtful diplomatic means would work with the Cuban government<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895330-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895330\" data-cid=\"9766562\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895330-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/65\/62\/320x180_cmsv2_7167ed5e-99dc-5b11-b323-855bf88bfbf7-9766562.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - People looking at a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (2014) sport car, before an auction in Switzerland 29 Sept. 2019. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries hand the most income to the ultra-rich?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895649-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895649\" data-cid=\"9768285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895649-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_d7e322b0-2c83-5819-807c-35f0a924abbb-9768285.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to remove remaining barriers as it reviews trade deal with Mexico<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895164-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895164\" data-cid=\"9765542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Winners and losers: Real household income growth across Europe in 2025<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895435-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895435\" data-cid=\"9767084\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia delivers nuclear warheads to Belarus as NATO tensions spike<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895473-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895473\" data-cid=\"9767321\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mon Dieu! Agatha Christie&#8217;s Poirot is getting a reboot<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895149-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895149\" data-cid=\"9765467\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine and Hungary move to resolve deadlock over minority rights that has stalled Kyiv\u2019s EU bid<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895436-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895436\" data-cid=\"9767086\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latvia issues warning after detecting UAV in its airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895639-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895639\" data-cid=\"9768313\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895639-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/01\/320x180_cmsv2_878879e3-02a7-5c5d-a32f-913b2d502944-9768201.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump in his limousine at Andrews Air Force Base, 20 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump to send extra 5,000 US troops to Poland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895643-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895643\" data-cid=\"9768229\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895643-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/29\/320x180_cmsv2_32c98716-61e1-58e9-93f6-50675f440021-9768229.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The US Capitol building is seen, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Republicans cancel vote on War Powers Resolution that was near passing<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895659-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895659\" data-cid=\"9768345\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895659-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_8c126a3f-894d-5ca5-bf92-0c90dadef407-9768345.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends at a press conference at the US Embassy in Rome, Friday, May 8, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rubio doubtful diplomatic means would work with the Cuban government<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895330-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895330\" data-cid=\"9766562\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895330-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/65\/62\/320x180_cmsv2_7167ed5e-99dc-5b11-b323-855bf88bfbf7-9766562.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - People looking at a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (2014) sport car, before an auction in Switzerland 29 Sept. 2019. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries hand the most income to the ultra-rich?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895649-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895649\" data-cid=\"9768285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895649-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_d7e322b0-2c83-5819-807c-35f0a924abbb-9768285.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to remove remaining barriers as it reviews trade deal with Mexico<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895164-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895164\" data-cid=\"9765542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Winners and losers: Real household income growth across Europe in 2025<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895435-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895435\" data-cid=\"9767084\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia delivers nuclear warheads to Belarus as NATO tensions spike<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895473-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895473\" data-cid=\"9767321\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mon Dieu! Agatha Christie&#8217;s Poirot is getting a reboot<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895149-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895149\" data-cid=\"9765467\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine and Hungary move to resolve deadlock over minority rights that has stalled Kyiv\u2019s EU bid<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895436-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895436\" data-cid=\"9767086\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latvia issues warning after detecting UAV in its airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Good morning, readers. Angela Skujins here, guiding you into the final stretch of the working week. A quick reminder: there\u2019ll be no newsletter or Europe Today on Monday for the Whit Monday holiday.\u00a0But before Brussels empties out for a sun-soaked public holiday weekend, Friday\u2019s political menu is already sizzling. It&#8217;s stuffed with economic tensions, transatlantic ties and the question of how much Europe can still count on Washington.Let\u2019s start with the cash crunch.\u00a0European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis spoke to Euronews\u2019 Europe Editor Maria Tadeo about his economic analysis from February to April \u2013 a period compounded by energy price shocks triggered by the war in Iran and inflation. The short of it: \u201cWe do not see a recession but rather further slowdown of the economy,\u201d Dombrovskis said.Despite the financial pain, of inflation expected to reach 3.1% this year, the EU&#8217;s economic chief was firm that that Europe would not turn to Russia for relief.\u00a0&#8220;We already saw back in 2022 that Russia tried to use its fossil fuel supplies as a tool for blackmail and manipulation, and we paid a quite dear economic price for having this dependency,&#8221; he said, adding: &#8220;There&#8217;s no point of going back to this.&#8221;\u00a0Earlier this week, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the European Commission to treat the energy crisis like the defence ramp-up and demanded the loosening of fiscal rules. The aim: ease rules for households and industries struggling with soaring energy costs.\u00a0Dombrovskis said flexibility already exists in the framework and any new support measures need to be \u201ctemporary and targeted\u201d.Brussels would not be giving Rome the total cold shoulder, though. \u201cWe have a number of automatic stabilisers which can play out, which allows for, in a sense, certain fiscal buffers,\u201d Dombrovskis said. \u201cWe are doing this assessment and preparing it.\u201d Watch the whole interview on Europe Today.Roughly 9,200 kilometres away, the bloc\u2019s top brass will aim to solidify a renewed trade deal that would not only slash import duties and lower costs on a range of goods, but also send a strong signal across the Atlantic.The Mexico City summit will be attended by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Presidents of the European Commission and Council \u2013 Ursula von der Leyen and Ant\u00f3nio Costa. Negotiator Javi L\u00f3pez, the European Parliament\u2019s Vice-President, will also be in the crowd.\u00a0Speaking to Mared Gwyn Jones on Europe Today, the politician said the deal will \u201cmodernise\u201d EU-Mexico ties and ensure \u201cpredictable trade\u201d where commercial relationships are being used in a coercive manner.\u201cAfter the rise of Trump to the White House, we have been forced to think more strategically and act more maturely in the world,\u201d L\u00f3pez said.\u00a0A senior EU official said the summit is also Brussels sending a geopolitical message. According to reporting by Peggy Corlin, Mexico is seen by the Europeans as a like-minded partner \u2013 an entity adhering to the rules-based order which seems to be increasingly challenged by China and the US.&#8221;Both sides are looking to diversify and de-risk,&#8221; the same official said.Now, two brief notes on defence.NATO foreign affairs ministers are meeting for the second day of talks in Helsingborg, Sweden, amid growing unease over the future of European security and the transatlantic alliance, our NATO expert Shona Murray reports.Ministers are awaiting further details from the US about which military capabilities will no longer be available to NATO. This is part of Washington&#8217;s plans to scale back the support it would provide Europeans in the event of invasion or war.But questions about how this strategy fits with the news that came in overnight that US President Donald Trump would deploy an additional 5,000 American troops in Poland. We wonder how this U-turn will be swallowed by military officials in the Swedish city, so keep an eye on Euronews for more analysis.\u00a0Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to speak with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about \u201cjoint pressure\u201d and whether this can strengthen Kyiv\u2019s position in negotiations with Moscow over Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Merz&#8217;s plan of &#8216;associate EU membership&#8217; for Ukraine gets mixed reviewsGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz\u2019s groundbreaking plan to grant Ukraine \u201cassociate membership\u201d in the European Union has received mixed reviews in Brussels, with questions raised about its legality, feasibility and political implications.In a letter to his fellow leaders, seen by Euronews, Merz proposes a tailor-made status that would give Ukraine access to decision-making bodies without voting rights and certain EU-funded programmes on a \u201cstep-by-step\u201d basis. He also envisions Kyiv able to request assistance from other member states in the event of a new Russian aggression through Article 42.7 of the EU treaties.\u00a0\u201cIt is now time to boldly move on with Ukraine\u2019s EU integration through innovative solutions as immediate steps forward,\u201d Merz tells his peers.The European Commission, which oversees the accession process and wants to break the stalemate on Ukraine\u2019s bid, welcomed the proposal as showing a \u201cstrong commitment from member states to make enlargement a reality as soon as possible\u201d.But diplomats were noticeably sceptical. \u201cI don\u2019t see how this could work from a legal point of view,\u201d one said. The letter is \u201ca rather hasty statement, and not very well coordinated. The timing is strange,\u201d said another.Will Merz succeed in convincing his peers? It\u2019s a big test for his European influence. Jorge Liboreiro and Ma\u00efa de la Baume break down the mixed reviews.Israel says all Gaza flotilla activists have been deported amid global outrage over their treatmentIsrael&#8217;s foreign ministry said on Thursday that foreign activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by Israeli forces have been deported, as international outcry over their treatment by authorities continues.&#8221;All foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel,&#8221; the ministry said in a statement posted on X. &#8220;Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.&#8221;The roughly 430 activists from countries around the world had been placed in detention in Israel after being intercepted at sea on Monday near Cyprus. They were undertaking the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of Gaza by Israel.Leaders across the world had been calling for the detainees&#8217; release after video footage emerged of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting them while in custody.Footage posted to his X account showed Ben-Gvir berating detainees and waving a large Israeli flag as they were forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs. \u201cWelcome to Israel, we are the landlords,\u201d he can be heard saying in the video.Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday said their treatment was &#8220;unacceptable&#8221; and called on the European Union to sanction the minister. Ireland and Spain are also pressing for EU sanctions against Ben-Gvir. Nathan Rennolds has more.More from our newsroomsEiffel Tower staircase section sells at auction for over \u20ac450,000The artwork? Just 24 rust-coloured steps, arranged in a spiral. Yet this section of staircase sold for \u20ac450,160 on Thursday 21 May at an auction at the Artcurial auction house. And with good reason: these 24 steps once formed part of the 1,665 that run up the Eiffel Tower. C\u00e9lia Gueuti has the story.Rubio says US focused on changing politics in Cuba as Havana accepts \u20ac86m in aidSecretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuba on Thursday that the United States was laser-focused on changing the communist system, after the island was stunned by a US indictment of its former president Ra\u00fal Castro. Rubio also said Cuba had tentatively accepted an offer by the United States of $100 million (\u20ac86 million) in aid in return for reforms. Juan Carlos de Santos and Gavin Blackburn dig in.European carmakers face EU pressure to diversify chip suppliersEuropean carmakers will be required to buy chips from at least two suppliers in certain cases and to incorporate supply chain resilience into their procurement decisions, according to a draft law the European Commission is expected to present next month. After a series of supply chain shocks, the EU is set to impose mandatory measures on the likes of Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault to prevent excessive dependence on a single chip supplier, most notably from China, according to two EU officials. Luca Bertuzzi offers his analysis.\u00a0We&#8217;re also keeping an eye onFinance ministers from the eurozone will meet in Nicosia, Cyprus.A roundtable on how Europe can be better prepared for crises starts at 2:30pm in Brussels.European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva will meet with President of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) Isabel Rubio in Brussels, Belgium.That\u2019s it for today. Peggy Corlin, Mared Gwyn Jones and Shona Murray contributed to this newsletter.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/22\/newsletter-eu-makes-its-trade-play-in-mexico-amid-energy-and-defence-strains&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/32\/1200x675_cmsv2_1c384123-4a30-5703-89ea-39c62fa39516-9768532.jpg&#8221;] Europe News More US troops in Poland &#8211; What does the country have to say about it Culture news Hollywood stars sign petition against Bollor\u00e9 Europe News Hunger and overcrowding in Europe&#8217;s prisons: where is your country? Democratic Republic Of Congo Angry crowd sets fire to Ebola treatment center in Congo Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1948804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1948804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1948804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1948804\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1948804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1948804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1948804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}