Douglas Busvine
@busvine.bsky.social
Road-worn hack now editing Trade & Competition at POLITICO Europe — dbusvine@politico.eu
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
EXCLUSIVE: Germany has joined France in saying it will ask the European Commission to explore unleashing the EU's so-called trade "bazooka" in response to Trump's threat to seize Greenland, according to five diplomats with knowledge of the situation.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
January 20, 2026 at 10:13 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Germany has joined France in saying it will ask the European Commission to explore unleashing the EU's so-called trade "bazooka" in response to Trump's threat to seize Greenland, according to five diplomats with knowledge of the situation.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European countries over Greenland has blown up last year’s transatlantic trade truce and forced the EU into a familiar dilemma: hit back hard, or try to buy time.
The EU’s magical, mystery trade weapon — and other options to nail Trump
POLITICO analyzes the actions that European leaders can consider when they gather for an emergency summit this week.
www.politico.eu
January 19, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European countries over Greenland has blown up last year’s transatlantic trade truce and forced the EU into a familiar dilemma: hit back hard, or try to buy time.
French farmers wrongly accuse Brussels of betrayal. Macron’s complicity could help the far right to victory
Spot on by Paul Taylor in the @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Spot on by Paul Taylor in the @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
French farmers wrongly accuse Brussels of betrayal. Macron’s complicity could help the far right to victory
Marine Le Pen is milking rural fury over the Mercosur deal. France’s politicians are too cowardly to defend it, says the European Policy Centre’s Paul Taylor
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM
French farmers wrongly accuse Brussels of betrayal. Macron’s complicity could help the far right to victory
Spot on by Paul Taylor in the @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Spot on by Paul Taylor in the @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Denmark, one of Europe’s most digital societies, tried to resist Big Tech’s domination. It’s losing.
Read this deep dive by @jacob-parry.bsky.social to get a taste of things to come elsewhere ...
www.politico.eu/article/denm...
Read this deep dive by @jacob-parry.bsky.social to get a taste of things to come elsewhere ...
www.politico.eu/article/denm...
Inside Denmark’s struggle to break up with Silicon Valley
From a media blockade to “nationalizing” government software, Denmark has become a laboratory for resisting U.S. Big Tech. But is the price of sovereignty too high?
www.politico.eu
January 15, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Denmark, one of Europe’s most digital societies, tried to resist Big Tech’s domination. It’s losing.
Read this deep dive by @jacob-parry.bsky.social to get a taste of things to come elsewhere ...
www.politico.eu/article/denm...
Read this deep dive by @jacob-parry.bsky.social to get a taste of things to come elsewhere ...
www.politico.eu/article/denm...
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
Officially, the EU’s Mercosur trade deal, approved by the majority of the bloc's members last week, is a defeat for Europe’s farmers.
In reality, farm lobbies just can’t stop winning.
In reality, farm lobbies just can’t stop winning.
Europe’s farmers lost the Mercosur battle. They’re still ahead.
Europe’s farmers are a minority. You wouldn’t know it from the political power they wield.
www.politico.eu
January 12, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Officially, the EU’s Mercosur trade deal, approved by the majority of the bloc's members last week, is a defeat for Europe’s farmers.
In reality, farm lobbies just can’t stop winning.
In reality, farm lobbies just can’t stop winning.
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
The Mercosur deal — the EU’s biggest ever trade agreement — finally got the nod after 25 years of negotiating.
We take you through who is uncorking their Malbec, and who is crying into the Bordeaux 👇
We take you through who is uncorking their Malbec, and who is crying into the Bordeaux 👇
EU-Mercosur mega trade deal: The winners and losers
POLITICO analyzes who is uncorking the Malbec — and who is crying into their Bordeaux (cough, Emmanuel Macron, cough).
www.politico.eu
January 9, 2026 at 4:24 PM
The Mercosur deal — the EU’s biggest ever trade agreement — finally got the nod after 25 years of negotiating.
We take you through who is uncorking their Malbec, and who is crying into the Bordeaux 👇
We take you through who is uncorking their Malbec, and who is crying into the Bordeaux 👇
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
With Trump's tariffs on the line, US Supreme Court plans rulings for Friday reut.rs/3LyWfCr
With Trump's tariffs on the line, US Supreme Court plans rulings for Friday
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings on Friday as it weighs cases with major implications both nationally and around the world including the legality of President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs.
reut.rs
January 6, 2026 at 10:02 PM
With Trump's tariffs on the line, US Supreme Court plans rulings for Friday reut.rs/3LyWfCr
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
US tariffs that are at risk of court-ordered refunds exceed $133.5 billion reut.rs/4pDf8lW
US tariffs that are at risk of court-ordered refunds exceed $133.5 billion
President Donald Trump's administration faces the possibility of having to refund more than $133.5 billion in tariffs to importers if the U.S. Supreme Court declares unlawful the duties he has imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
reut.rs
January 7, 2026 at 1:10 AM
US tariffs that are at risk of court-ordered refunds exceed $133.5 billion reut.rs/4pDf8lW
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is determined to travel to South America next week to sign the EU’s long-delayed Mercosur trade deal.
But she’s having to make last-minute pledges to Europe’s farmers in order to board that flight.
But she’s having to make last-minute pledges to Europe’s farmers in order to board that flight.
Von der Leyen makes €45B pitch to win Meloni’s support for Mercosur trade deal
Brussels needs Rome’s support by Friday to secure a majority for the EU’s landmark trade agreement with South America.
www.politico.eu
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 AM
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is determined to travel to South America next week to sign the EU’s long-delayed Mercosur trade deal.
But she’s having to make last-minute pledges to Europe’s farmers in order to board that flight.
But she’s having to make last-minute pledges to Europe’s farmers in order to board that flight.
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
Always read John Plender
www.ft.com/content/7987...
www.ft.com/content/7987...
How the bubble bursts
AI-fuelled market euphoria is a new telling of an old story that will not play out differently this time, writes John Plender — but it may have some way still to go
www.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Always read John Plender
www.ft.com/content/7987...
www.ft.com/content/7987...
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
The EU's behemoth trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc was — once again — kicked down the road today, as familiar internal rifts again proved stronger than the push to seal the deal.
EU delays Mercosur signing as 25-year curse drags on
Italy forcing a further postponement to the beleaguered trade deal leaves it open to being torpedoed by the European Parliament.
www.politico.eu
December 19, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The EU's behemoth trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc was — once again — kicked down the road today, as familiar internal rifts again proved stronger than the push to seal the deal.
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
What a disastrous signal it would send if the EU failed to get this over the finish line.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-d...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-d...
EU delays Mercosur signing as 25-year curse drags on
Italy forcing a further postponement to the beleaguered trade deal leaves it open to being torpedoed by the European Parliament.
www.politico.eu
December 19, 2025 at 1:49 AM
What a disastrous signal it would send if the EU failed to get this over the finish line.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-d...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-d...
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
In an eleventh-hour push, EU institutions agreed yesterday to strengthen protections for European farmers under a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc.
The big question now is whether the compromise will placate France and Italy.
The big question now is whether the compromise will placate France and Italy.
EU agrees on tougher Mercosur safeguards in bid to placate Italy, France
Quick compromise on farm protections puts the Latin America deal in EU leaders’ court as they convene for summit.
www.politico.eu
December 18, 2025 at 8:19 AM
In an eleventh-hour push, EU institutions agreed yesterday to strengthen protections for European farmers under a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc.
The big question now is whether the compromise will placate France and Italy.
The big question now is whether the compromise will placate France and Italy.
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
Brussels is prioritizing exemptions for steel, machinery and medtech from U.S. tariffs in talks with the Trump administration, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič told us.
EU, US are also looking for another cooperation forum to replace the defunct EU-US TTC.
W/@zimmerfrau.bsky.social
shorturl.at/rabR1
EU, US are also looking for another cooperation forum to replace the defunct EU-US TTC.
W/@zimmerfrau.bsky.social
shorturl.at/rabR1
EU presses US for tariff relief on steel, machinery and medtech
Brussels is focusing on strategic sectors in its talks with the Trump administration, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič tells POLITICO.
shorturl.at
December 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Brussels is prioritizing exemptions for steel, machinery and medtech from U.S. tariffs in talks with the Trump administration, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič told us.
EU, US are also looking for another cooperation forum to replace the defunct EU-US TTC.
W/@zimmerfrau.bsky.social
shorturl.at/rabR1
EU, US are also looking for another cooperation forum to replace the defunct EU-US TTC.
W/@zimmerfrau.bsky.social
shorturl.at/rabR1
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
France is playing for time over a crucial vote on the EU’s trade mega deal with Mercosur, in a strategy that could kill the long-awaited accord.
“If we do not allow [Ursula von der Leyen] to sign it on the 20th, it's dead,” a senior diplomat said.
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
“If we do not allow [Ursula von der Leyen] to sign it on the 20th, it's dead,” a senior diplomat said.
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France seeks to delay crunch vote on EU’s Mercosur mega deal
A senior EU diplomat warns that another delay could kill the Latin American trade deal after 25 years of talks.
www.politico.eu
December 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
France is playing for time over a crucial vote on the EU’s trade mega deal with Mercosur, in a strategy that could kill the long-awaited accord.
“If we do not allow [Ursula von der Leyen] to sign it on the 20th, it's dead,” a senior diplomat said.
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
“If we do not allow [Ursula von der Leyen] to sign it on the 20th, it's dead,” a senior diplomat said.
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
Trump has changed his position on more than a few things over the years, but in at least one area he’s been consistent: tariffs
Trump’s top trade rep says there’s a strategy.
Trump’s top trade rep says there’s a strategy.
‘Yes, There’s a Strategy’: Trump’s Trade Chief Hits Back at Tariff Critics
U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer talks tariffs, the Supreme Court and affordability in a new interview.
www.politico.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Trump has changed his position on more than a few things over the years, but in at least one area he’s been consistent: tariffs
Trump’s top trade rep says there’s a strategy.
Trump’s top trade rep says there’s a strategy.
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
For a brief moment, there was optimism that Brussels and the Latin American countries of Mercosur could finally seal their mammoth trade deal this year.
But now, the mood has changed.
🔗 politi.co/3Xn6uvZ
But now, the mood has changed.
🔗 politi.co/3Xn6uvZ
November 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
For a brief moment, there was optimism that Brussels and the Latin American countries of Mercosur could finally seal their mammoth trade deal this year.
But now, the mood has changed.
🔗 politi.co/3Xn6uvZ
But now, the mood has changed.
🔗 politi.co/3Xn6uvZ
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
🇪🇺President @VonDerLeyen's VP has gone off script with a rare honest assessment of Trump's behaviour toward Europe.
"It is blackmail."
Will VDL 'breton' her? Or is this a coordinated good cop/bad cop routine – with Ribera able to say things VDL can't?
"It is blackmail."
Will VDL 'breton' her? Or is this a coordinated good cop/bad cop routine – with Ribera able to say things VDL can't?
Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks
Renewed U.S. pressure for the EU to recalibrate its digital rules is unacceptable, says Teresa Ribera.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 8:48 AM
🇪🇺President @VonDerLeyen's VP has gone off script with a rare honest assessment of Trump's behaviour toward Europe.
"It is blackmail."
Will VDL 'breton' her? Or is this a coordinated good cop/bad cop routine – with Ribera able to say things VDL can't?
"It is blackmail."
Will VDL 'breton' her? Or is this a coordinated good cop/bad cop routine – with Ribera able to say things VDL can't?
Very strong comments from Teresa Ribera — exclusively to @framiche.bsky.social — but how far does she represent the views of the Commission as a whole? @politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks
Renewed U.S. pressure for the EU to recalibrate its digital rules is unacceptable, says Teresa Ribera.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Very strong comments from Teresa Ribera — exclusively to @framiche.bsky.social — but how far does she represent the views of the Commission as a whole? @politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
The EU’s push for the U.S. to scrap its tariffs on steel and aluminum has opened the door to an old demand from Washington: Loosen your digital rulebook, and we’ll meet you halfway.
US demands digital concessions in return for EU steel tariff relief
Washington argues U.S. companies would invest more in the EU if it rolls back its digital rulebook.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The EU’s push for the U.S. to scrap its tariffs on steel and aluminum has opened the door to an old demand from Washington: Loosen your digital rulebook, and we’ll meet you halfway.
Reposted by Douglas Busvine
NEW: Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
NEW: Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise, writes @zimmerfrau.bsky.social as EU and African leaders meet in Luanda.
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
In the new scramble for Africa’s resources, Europe tries to right old wrongs
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Ursula von der Leyen says African countries should benefit from resource extraction — but Brussels has yet to deliver on that promise, writes @zimmerfrau.bsky.social as EU and African leaders meet in Luanda.
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
www.politico.eu/article/in-t...
Hats off to @pjotrsauer.bsky.social for this excellent profile of Kirill Dmitriev and his irresistible rise:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Kirill Dmitriev: ‘ruthlessly ambitious’ Kremlin figure behind Ukraine plan
Harvard-educated head of Russia’s wealth fund has risen to key role despite having little diplomatic experience
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Hats off to @pjotrsauer.bsky.social for this excellent profile of Kirill Dmitriev and his irresistible rise:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...