Applicant assimilation capacity would receive new emphasis through mandatory courses on "American history and values" and "respect for cultural norms." Europeans "targeted for peaceful expression of views online, such as opposition to mass migration or support for 'populist' political parties" would gain priority – apparent reference to Alternative for Germany, whose leaders minimized Holocaust significance and disparaged foreigners. Trump enacted several proposals before submission, including reduced admissions and Afrikaner priority status – South Africa's former apartheid-controlling white minority. Trump claims Afrikaners face racial persecution despite South African officials' disputes and police statistics showing no elevated white vulnerability to violent crime.

America's refugee acceptance generated excessive diversity according to submitted documents, stating "The sharp increase in diversity has reduced the level of social trust essential for the functioning of a democratic polity." Applications from hundreds of thousands already in the pipeline should be canceled, many having completed extensive security checks. Agencies proposed restricting numbers in high-immigrant communities to prevent "the concentration of non-native citizens."

"It reflects a preexisting notion among some in the Trump administration as to who are the true Americans," said Barbara L. Strack, former refugee affairs division chief at Citizenship and Immigration Services during Bush, Obama and Trump administrations. "And they think it's white people and they think it's Christians." Plans include intensive security vetting with expanded DNA testing and slashing annual admissions to 7,500 – drastically reduced from Biden's 125,000 limit.

Latest proposals call for US embassies making refugee referrals instead of the United Nations, enabling greater American pipeline control, according to a third draft The New York Times obtained. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the approach at last month's UN General Assembly, stating "Saying that the process is susceptible to abuse is not being xenophobic, it is not being a mean or bad person."

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Dozens of people were taken to hospitals due to smoke inhalation since Tuesday, according to reports from public broadcaster ERT. About 13 firefighters were treated for burns and other injuries, a fire service spokesman said. Nearly 5,000 firefighters, assisted by 33 firefighting aircraft, were deployed from morning hours to control the flames, which are being intensified by winds and hot, dry conditions near Patras, on the tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos, and at three additional locations on the mainland.

"Wednesday will be another very difficult day, as the risk of forest fires in most areas of the country will be very high," the fire service spokesman said.

Flames and dark smoke spread over a cement factory that was ignited by a forest fire that swept through olive trees and forests and disrupted train traffic near Patras.

"How does it look? It looks like judgment day. We came from Athens with our volunteer association Kalistenis, and we won't be able to do more. God help us and our people here," volunteer firefighter Yorgos Karvanis said, who worked on the fire near Patras.

Authorities issued an evacuation order for residents of a town of about 7,700 people near Patras on Tuesday and issued new warnings on Wednesday, asking residents of two nearby villages to leave their homes. On Chios island, the Coast Guard used boats to evacuate people to safety as flames reached the shores.

Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and the Balkans are also fighting forest fires in recent days, after a heat wave pushed temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in several regions of Europe. In Albania and Montenegro, forest fires have destroyed homes and property since last week.

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Montrelos had launched his transcontinental adventure in France with plans to traverse Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan en route to his final destination in Japan. His journey came to an abrupt halt in mid-June when he vanished while venturing into the desert region surrounding Varzaneh in central Iran. Throughout his expedition, he had maintained an active social media presence, with his final Instagram post on June 15 declaring "Day 152 of the adventure from France to Japan. I'm heading out on a desert journey in the heat to discover the sand dunes near Varzaneh."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the detention during a Thursday interview with French publication Le Monde, confirming that Montrelos faces charges for "committing a crime" while declining to elaborate on the specific allegations. Araghchi indicated that Iranian authorities had formally notified the French embassy in Tehran of the arrest.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou verified the detention while emphasizing that French officials are deliberately limiting public disclosure to avoid jeopardizing ongoing diplomatic efforts for Montrelos' release. The French Foreign Ministry confirmed its engagement with both Iranian authorities and the detained cyclist's family, though officials declined to provide further specifics citing concerns for his wellbeing. German authorities have similarly confirmed they are tracking the developing situation.

Lennart Monterlos est le jeune français de 18 ans disparu en Iran depuis le 16 juin. Dans cette vidéo il se moque des recommandations du Quai d'Orsay de ne pas se rendre en Iran.
L'Iran est l'un des plus beaux pays du monde mais N'y allez pas. pic.twitter.com/06KvXvgza2

— Nath-K (@KaanNathalie) July 7, 2025

 "Deliberate policy of holding hostages"

The Montrelos case compounds the ongoing detention of two other French nationals, Cecile Koller, 40, and Jacques Perrin, 72, who were seized in May 2022 on espionage charges allegedly connected to Israel. Both individuals endured three years of imprisonment in Tehran's infamous Evin prison, a facility that predominantly houses Western nationals and dual citizens who Iranian authorities frequently deploy as diplomatic bargaining tools.

French diplomatic officials released a pointed condemnation this week, declaring that "Iran pursues a deliberate policy of holding hostages. Every French citizen on its territory is exposed to the risk of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, including tourists, solely because of their French citizenship."

Hostage Aid Worldwide estimates indicate that no fewer than 15 European citizens and individuals holding dual nationality from France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Cyprus and Britain remain incarcerated in Iranian facilities.

These developments reinforce existing travel advisories issued by France, Germany and numerous other nations, which strongly discourage citizen travel to Iran due to documented risks of arbitrary detention and severe imprisonment conditions.

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We joined European Union Ambassador to Israel Dimiter Tzantchev during his visit to the Weizmann Institute of Science, among the hardest-hit locations from Iranian ballistic missile attacks, as part of a tour of strike sites nationwide. Two missiles rendered five buildings unusable, affecting research conducted by at least 52 research groups. The cancer research center suffered the worst damage, with laboratories now entombed beneath mountains of debris.

"We truly experienced the five stages of grief,"  Dr. Leeat Yankielowicz-Keren, who heads a team investigating connections between the immune system and cancer. Her laboratory housed cutting-edge, exclusive equipment essential to her Weizmann research team's work – all completely destroyed. "We obtained special permission to enter the building today, and several people wept. The devastation is beyond belief. One of my students, a reserve combat soldier who served in Gaza, insisted he would rappel through windows to salvage what he could, though we told him 'nothing's left.' He was really in denial."

Another laboratory that became unusable as a result of the blast belongs to Dr. Ranit Kedmi, who studies the immune system. "I only opened my laboratory two years ago," she shared." Both research teams share a crucial commonality – they were enabled by European Research Council (ERC) grants, financed through the European Commission. The destruction of these laboratories means Iranian strikes directly impact European interests.

Dr. Yankielowicz-Keren stresses the consequences reach even further internationally. "During the first week [after the attack], I had to spend at least an hour every day replying to emails from all over the world – people offering to help, people offering to send students, people showing compassion," she said. "After October 7th, I didn't feel the same kind of solidarity. I think that this time the scientific community and particularly the cancer community experienced this as their own loss. It's not a Weizmann-specific research – it's our understanding of cancer that got pushed back years because of this, on a global level."

The Weizmann Institute ranks among the world's top research facilities. Though based in Israel, its research teams include students from across the globe. "Scientists excel at problem-solving," Dr. Kedmi observed, describing how a South Korean student in her team chose to remain in Israel and help rebuild the damaged laboratory despite the wartime reality in Israel. Meanwhile, a colleague from Heidelberg, Germany, offered his laboratory facilities to one of Yankelvitz-Keren's students to continue crucial research.

While the determination shown by these research teams and their female leaders inspires admiration, the growing global recognition of Weizmann's damage cannot be overlooked. Worldwide discourse often reduces to either supporting or opposing Israel, missing the global ripple effects created when the Weizmann Institute becomes a target, impacting the European Research Council, scientists across the world, and potentially life-saving medical advances.

The tour naturally included Soroka Hospital, the Negev region's sole medical facility. We were granted special access to examine the damage in the northern surgical building, which sustained a direct upper-floor hit. Exceptional preparation and threat assessment by Soroka personnel enabled patient evacuation one day before the strike that completely destroyed that floor and caused the floor below to collapse.

The strike's severity and the ballistic missile's warhead power became evident through the extensive ground-floor damage. Shattered ceilings and walls, demolished elevator shafts, displaced door frames, and patient rooms reduced to rubble fragments intensified as we ascended through the building's floors. Medical staff that was inside the building during the attack followed proper defensive protocols and escaped injury.

"Anywhere else worldwide, we would transfer all patients to alternative hospitals and spend a year recovering," Soroka Hospital Director Dr. Shlomi Kodesh told Ambassador Tzantchev. Remarkably, the hospital resumed 80% of operations surrounded by destruction and blast damage, in extremely difficult conditions for both patients and medical personnel alike. "We need tens of millions of dollars," Dr. Kodesh emphasized, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining Soroka's operations as southern Israel's only hospital. "The Negev deserves better," he concluded.

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Dangerous heat conditions were documented across Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal ahead of the weekend, with both residents and visitors seeking refuge from the punishing temperatures. Portuguese authorities placed two-thirds of the nation under high alert status on Sunday for extreme heat and wildfire threats, with meteorologists forecasting temperatures to reach 107 degrees Fahrenheit in the capital city of Lisbon.

Several Italian regions – including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia, and Umbria – prepared to prohibit certain outdoor labor activities during peak heat periods as a response to the unprecedented temperature levels. Labor organizations across Italy urged the national government to implement these protective measures nationwide.

The Italian Health Ministry designated 21 of 27 monitored municipalities under its most severe heat warning level Sunday, encompassing popular tourist destinations such as Rome, Milan, and Naples. Throughout Rome, visitors sought shelter near famous attractions including the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, utilizing umbrellas for protection while hydrating at public water stations to combat the oppressive heat. Comparable situations unfolded in Milan and Naples, where street vendors distributed lemonade to both tourists and locals as relief from the sweltering conditions.

Greek authorities maintained elevated wildfire alert status due to the extreme weather conditions, with the season's first major heat wave projected to persist through the weekend period. A substantial wildfire erupted south of Athens on Thursday, necessitating evacuations and highway closures near the historic Temple of Poseidon. Powerful winds accelerated the flames' spread, causing property damage and filling the atmosphere with smoke. Emergency response teams deployed 130 firefighters and 12 helicopters to combat the blaze, while law enforcement evacuated 40 individuals from five designated evacuation zones.

Spanish residents and tourists struggled to maintain comfort during the weekend as the nation experienced temperatures reaching 107 degrees Fahrenheit in Seville and other locations throughout southern and central regions. Spain's southern territories registered temperatures exceeding seasonal norms, triggering health advisories and safety guidance from government officials. The national weather service Aemet indicated June appears destined to establish another record as the hottest such month in recorded history.

Specialists cautioned that extreme heat conditions can disrupt normal activities, particularly affecting at-risk groups, including elderly individuals and children. Regional authorities recommended avoiding strenuous physical activities during the day's hottest periods while emphasizing increased fluid consumption.

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The ambitious initiative, announced Wednesday at NVIDIA GTC Paris during VivaTech, represents one of the largest coordinated AI infrastructure investments in European history. NVIDIA noted that the deployment will enable European enterprises, startups and public sector organizations to securely develop, train and deploy advanced AI applications while maintaining data sovereignty within regional borders.

NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the transformative nature of the investment during the announcement. "Every industrial revolution begins with infrastructure. AI is the essential infrastructure of our time, just as electricity and the internet once were," Huang stated. "With bold leadership from Europe's governments and industries, AI will drive transformative innovation and prosperity for generations to come."

French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted his nation's commitment to the technological advancement. "France is committed to investing in AI to strengthen our economy, benefit our citizens and uphold our values," Macron explained. "By working closely with our nation's leading technology innovators and NVIDIA, we are equipping researchers, entrepreneurs and public institutions with the tools they need to explore new ideas, tackle complex challenges and help shape the future of AI for France."

The comprehensive deployment strategy involves multiple technology and cloud providers working alongside telecommunications companies to establish robust AI infrastructure. According to NVIDIA, partners including Domyn, Mistral AI, Nebius and Nscale will collaborate with telecommunications providers Orange, Swisscom, Telefónica and Telenor to create an integrated ecosystem spanning multiple European nations.

UK Tech Secretary Peter Kyle outlined Britain's strategic vision for the partnership. "Just as coal and electricity once defined our past, AI is defining our future," Kyle declared. "NVIDIA's expansion of its technology center here in the UK will be vital in helping us to deliver on our AI ambitions, and their partnership in building the capabilities that will transform our AI Growth Zones into engines of opportunity. This is our Plan for Change in action, bringing together leading innovators to build the compute infrastructure that will drive growth across every region and secure the UK's place as a global AI leader in the age of AI."

France's implementation will feature Mistral AI collaborating with NVIDIA to construct an end-to-end cloud platform powered by 18,000 NVIDIA Grace Blackwell systems in the initial phase. NVIDIA reported that expansion plans include multiple additional sites throughout 2026, enabling organizations across Europe to rapidly develop and deploy AI applications using optimized Mistral AI models and validated AI factory designs.

The United Kingdom's approach involves NVIDIA working with cloud partners Nebius and Nscale to unlock advanced AI capabilities for enterprises of all sizes. During London Tech Week, the cloud providers announced their first phase development plans to deploy 14,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs powering new data centers, making scalable and secure AI infrastructure widely accessible throughout the UK.

Germany will host the world's first industrial AI cloud specifically designed for European manufacturers. NVIDIA noted that this AI factory will utilize NVIDIA DGX B200 systems and NVIDIA RTX PRO Servers featuring 10,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, enabling Europe's industrial leaders to accelerate manufacturing applications from design and engineering to simulation, factory digital twins and robotics integration.

Italy's Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration. "This agreement represents a strategic step toward strengthening Italy's technological sovereignty and ensuring that our businesses have secure and competitive access to data management," Urso stated. "The collaboration with top-tier partners such as NVIDIA and Domyn confirms the government's commitment in supporting high-level alliances to foster innovation and the competitiveness of the national production system."

Italian implementation will see NVIDIA partnering with Domyn and the government to advance sovereign AI capabilities. Domyn is developing its Large Colosseum reasoning model on its supercomputer Colosseum, utilizing NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Superchips in alignment with its mission to support regulated industries in AI adoption.

The telecommunications sector plays a crucial role in the infrastructure expansion. NVIDIA reported that Orange is accelerating enterprise-grade AI development, including agentic AI, large language models and personal AI assistants, using Orange Business' Cloud Avenue built on high-performance NVIDIA infrastructure.

Fastweb has introduced MIIA, an Italian language model supporting generative AI applications, trained and running on its NVIDIA DGX AI supercomputer. Telenor is expanding sovereign AI infrastructure in Norway with a new renewable-powered data center while hosting a partner's multilingual AI translation service available in over 100 languages.

Swisscom is launching new AI services, including GenAI Studio and AI Workhub hosted on its sovereign AI NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD-based infrastructure, empowering Swiss enterprises to rapidly build and scale AI applications. Telefónica is piloting a distributed edge AI fabric across Spain with hundreds of NVIDIA GPUs to deliver low-latency, privacy-focused AI services.

NVIDIA is establishing and expanding AI technology centers across Germany, Sweden, Italy, Spain, the UK and Finland. These centers build upon NVIDIA's history of collaborating with academic institutions and industry through the NVIDIA AI Technology Center program and NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute to develop AI workforce capabilities and scientific discovery throughout the regions.

The Bavarian AI center in Germany, intended for establishment in collaboration with the Bayern KI consortium, will advance research in fields including digital medicine, stable diffusion AI and open-source robotics platforms to foster global collaboration. The Sweden AI center will advance world-class AI research with support from NVIDIA experts and hands-on NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute training for upskilling purposes.

Italy's AI center will expand to include new AI factory deployments with the CINECA consortium, while Spain's AI center will expand to include a new AI factory with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. The UK AI center will accelerate Britain's most groundbreaking research in embodied AI, materials science and Earth systems modeling.

Finland's AI center enables researchers to accelerate AI research and applications for computer vision, machine learning and AI for science. NVIDIA noted that these strategic initiatives across Europe build on NVIDIA investments in building AI infrastructure worldwide, including in Taiwan and the Middle East.

The comprehensive European deployment represents a fundamental shift toward digital sovereignty while maintaining competitive advantages in global AI development. Building AI infrastructure requires strategic investment in advanced systems, land and facilities, sustainable energy access, skilled experts and partnerships, according to NVIDIA reporting on the initiative's scope.

These deployments will provide European organizations with the computational resources necessary for developing and deploying agentic and physical AI applications while keeping data and processing within regional boundaries. The infrastructure will support everything from basic research and development to large-scale commercial applications across multiple industry sectors.

The timeline for implementation varies by country and specific deployment, with infrastructure development already underway in several locations. NVIDIA reported that the multi-phase approach allows for systematic expansion while ensuring reliable service delivery and proper integration with existing technological ecosystems throughout the participating nations.

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Israel Hayom has learned that European nations are preparing potential retaliatory measures against an Israeli bill that would impose an approximately 80% tax on foreign government donations to Israeli NGOs, creating diplomatic tension that could escalate into an "international donation war." The proposed legislation, championed by Knesset member Ariel Kallner and currently advancing through the Knesset, targets organizations predominantly on the political left, such as B'Tselem and Breaking the Silence, but diplomatic sources warn that the consequences could extend to Jewish communities worldwide through reciprocal taxation policies.

Several European countries – including Germany, the Netherlands, and other European Union nations – are examining parallel measures in response to the law, according to diplomatic sources. These countries have been investing millions in the West Bank for years, much to the displeasure of the Israeli right, as well as in organizations considered controversial in Israeli public discourse.

The new law is generating significant concern among these NGOs. In many cases, the organizations rely predominantly on money from various foreign countries to fund their operations. A notable example includes organizations that defend terrorists in Israeli courts and file petitions to the Supreme Court. For instance, 90% of the budget of HaMoked - Center for the Defense of the Individual comes from abroad.

"A boomerang that will harm Jewish communities"

The countries, angered by the decision to prevent donation opportunities, are considering imposing an identical tax on donations from Israel to NGOs abroad. According to various sources, "The law's initiators presented it as something that would prevent foreign interference and domestic subversion, but now they may face a boomerang that will harm Jewish communities worldwide."

Such a donation war, diplomats warn, could damage not only NGOs in Israel but also Jewish communities in the diaspora. Institutions such as Jewish schools, community centers, and Zionist organizations, which sometimes rely on donations from Israel, may encounter tighter regulations, bureaucratic delays, or even new taxes.

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70 Gazans departed the Gaza Strip on Wednesday through Ramon Airport in southern Israel, heading to various European countries. These individuals or their family members possess foreign citizenship that will facilitate their resettlement abroad. Israel provided assistance for their exit as part of its policy promoting emigration from Gaza. A Romanian Air Force aircraft landed at Ramon Airport in Eilat at approximately 4:30 p.m. to transport the evacuees.

This evacuation takes place against the backdrop of renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza and coincides with appeals from Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, urging restraint and calling for the restoration of humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza. Kallas further stated: "We call on all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. The EU believes that the resumption of negotiations is the only way forward. Palestinians and Israelis have suffered immensely over the past year and a half. It is time to break the cycle of violence. Stability is a prerequisite for swift reconstruction."

In recent days, European Union officials have also emphasized the necessity of rebuilding Gaza, while clearly stating that such reconstruction efforts cannot proceed under Hamas governance.

More than a month ago, the Wall Street Journal published previously undisclosed details regarding the development of President Donald Trump's vision to create an "American Riviera" in the Gaza Strip. During a press conference addressing the plan, President Trump repeatedly emphasized his intention to "take over Gaza," stating, "We will flatten the place and rehabilitate it, create countless jobs."

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Double-check your attraction ticket sources before booking: Spain leads the disreputable list of destinations where tourists have fallen victim to fraud. According to research by Go.compare, which analyzed data from multiple countries, Spain emerged as the primary destination among the top ten locations where travelers have been duped.

In Spain, 1,054,729 tourists fell victim to fraud over the past five years. In a country that welcomed 94 million visitors in 2024, one in every 61 tourists was caught in swindlers' traps. The research, which examined complaint findings about scams, revealed that following Spain are France, the US, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Cyprus.

For example, one in ten visitors, or more specifically 212,000 travelers who visited France over the past five years reported being "ripped off," while 153,000 tourists fell victim to scams in the US during the same period.

Tourists in Paris are cautioned against websites selling fraudulent admission tickets to museums and popular attractions in the French capital. Among the tourist hotspots where scammers operate is Notre Dame Cathedral, which recently reopened. Tourists are falsely told they can pay up to 60 euros for "fast track" tickets allowing them to bypass long queues, when in fact admission is entirely free.

What protective measures can travelers take? When planning your visit, it's advisable to book flights and leisure activities exclusively through trustworthy websites. Those who suspect they've fallen for a scam should report the incident to local authorities and immediately notify their bank or credit card providers. Additionally, if necessary, embassies or consulates can assist with canceling or replacing lost documents. When needed, travelers should file claims through their travel insurance. Depending on the policy terms, travelers may be covered for financial losses or other problems resulting from fraud.

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The trade war between the European Union and the United States is escalating significantly after the European Commission announced retaliatory measures against the comprehensive tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on steel and aluminum products, which took effect Wednesday morning.

The Commission has declared that beginning April 1, a temporary directive will come into force, effectively increasing taxation on trade transactions with the US. This involves imposing additional taxes on transactions amounting to 26 billion euros ($7.3 billion), meaning US importers will need to pay up to six billion euros in additional import tariffs. Furthermore, the European Union is considering implementing a series of tax levies on numerous other products imported from the US.

This strategic move aims to signal to President Trump that damaging Europe's economy through product taxation will trigger a counterresponse that will harm the US economy in return.

Significant price increases expected

While Trump's primary intention is to protect steel and aluminum producers in the US, and the measure he is implementing is part of an economic battle mainly directed against Canada, the blanket tax now in effect without "special exemptions" will substantially impact Europe as well. This will lead to an increase from 10% to 25% in tax payments on various metal and steel products imported from Europe to the US.

The volume of trade in these products is valued at 26 billion euros, constituting only 5% of the total trade between the European Union and the US. However, the tax increase is expected to cause significant price increases across a wide spectrum of products, including vehicles, construction materials, various household items, and even retail sector goods – costs that will ultimately affect every citizen's pocket.

This trade conflict emerges at a particularly challenging time when many European Union countries are already struggling with economic difficulties and Europe requires financial resources. This situation is compounded by the European Union's decision to redirect significant funds toward strengthening the Union's military capabilities and massive armament programs in response to the security threat posed by Russia.

In an official statement, the European Commission announced that the European Union will implement regulations classified as "rebalancing measures" – mechanisms previously activated during the former Trump administration, which similarly raised taxes on certain sectors.

"On 10 February 2025, the US announced that it would impose 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium and derivative products. In response to the imposition of new, unjustified US tariffs,  the Commission has launched swift and proportionate countermeasures on US imports into the EU. The Commission's response is carefully calibrated, based on a two-step approach: the suspension of existing 2018 and 2020 countermeasuresagainst the US to lapse on 1 April, a package of new countermeasures on US exports. They will come into force by mid-April, following consultation of Member States and stakeholders."

Union officials noted that over the next two weeks, immediate discussions will be held regarding the series of "balancing measures" imposed. On March 26, another high-level meeting will convene with senior officials from all 27 European Union member states to discuss additional countermeasures. This comes despite the Union's warnings that it may adopt new laws by mid-April that would further increase taxation on trade relations between the EU and the United States.

"Open to meaningful dialogue"

The mutual imposition of taxes represents another burden on the already deteriorating relations between the European Union and the US. This tension is further complicated by disagreements over the American position regarding Russia's war in Ukraine and the Trump administration's demand for Europe to invest substantially more financial resources in its own security while reducing its security dependence on the US.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a special statement Wednesday morning saying, "The trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."

Addressing the implementation of the tariffs, she stated: "We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States."

She further emphasized that the Union will take action to protect consumers and businesses. "The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate. As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion. This matches the economic scope of the US tariffs. ur countermeasures will be introduced in two steps. Starting with 1 April and fully in place as of 13 April. In the meantime, we will always remain open to negotiation.

"We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs. We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I have entrusted Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to resume his talks to explore better solutions with the US."

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