DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 03 April 2025
Statement by President von der Leyen on the announcement of universal tariffs by the US
President Trump's announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, including the EU, is a major blow to the world economy.
I deeply regret this choice.
Let's be clear-eyed about the immense consequences.
The global economy will massively suffer.
Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism.
The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe.
Also for the most vulnerable countries, which are now subject to some of the highest US tariffs.
The opposite of what we want to achieve.
The tariffs will also hurt consumers around the world.
It will be felt immediately.
Millions of citizens will face higher grocery bills.
Medication will cost more as well as transportation.
Inflation will go up.
And this is hurting in particular the most vulnerable citizens.
All businesses – big and small – will suffer from day one.
From greater uncertainty to the disruption of supply chains to burdensome bureaucracy.
The cost of doing business with the United States will drastically increase.
And what is more, there seems to be no order in the disorder.
No clear path through the complexity and chaos that is being created as all US trading partners are hit.
In the past eighty years, trade between Europe and the United States has created millions of jobs.
Consumers across the Atlantic have benefited from reduced prices.
Businesses have benefited from huge opportunities leading to unprecedented growth and prosperity.
At the same time, we know that the global trading system has serious deficiencies.
I agree with President Trump, that others are taking unfair advantage of the current rules.
And I am ready to support any efforts to make the global trading system fit for the realities of the global economy.
But I also want to be clear: Reaching for tariffs as your first and last tool will not fix it.
That is why, from the outset, we have always been ready to negotiate with the US, to remove any remaining barriers to Transatlantic trade.
At the same time, we are prepared to respond.
We are already finalising a first package of countermeasures in response to tariffs on steel.
And we are now preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail.
We will also be watching closely what indirect effects these tariffs could have, because we cannot absorb global overcapacity nor will we accept dumping on our market
As Europeans we will always promote and defend our interests and values.
And we will always stand up for Europe.
But there is an alternative path.
It is not too late to address concerns through negotiations.
This is why our Trade Commissioner, Maros Šefčovič,is permanently engaged with his US counterparts.
We will work towards reducing barriers, not raising them.
Let's move from confrontation to negotiation.
Finally I would also like to speak directly to my fellow Europeans.
I know that many of you feel let down by our oldest ally.
Yes, we must brace for the impact that this will inevitably have.
Europe has everything it needs to make it through this storm.
We are in this together.
If you take on one of us, you take on all of us.
So we will stand together and stand up for each other.
Our unity is our strength.
Europe has the largest Single Market in the world - 450 million consumers - that is our safe harbour in tumultuous times.
And Europe will stand at the side of those directly impacted.
We have already announced new measures to support the steel and cars sectors.
Last week, we limited the amount of steel that can be imported to Europe tariff-free.
This will give more breathing space to these strategic industries.
Now we will also convene Strategic Dialogues with the steel, the automotive and the pharmaceutical sector.
And others will follow.
Europe stands together for our businesses, for our workers,and for all Europeans.
And we will continue to build bridges with all those that like us care about fair and rules-based trade as the basis for shared prosperity.
Thank you.
Commission supports key energy infrastructure projects with new €600 million funding call
The Commission has launched today a new call for proposals worth up to €600 million under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to fund key cross-border energy infrastructure projects across the EU.
The call is open to projects included on the first list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs). The list was adopted under the revised TEN-E Regulation which ends support for fossil fuel infrastructure and will help the EU reach its ambitious climate and energy goals.
Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen said: “Now, more than ever, we must intensify our investments to ensure a genuine Energy Union. This is key to power our competitiveness, ensure our energy security and bring down energy costs for all. Constructing the crucial missing links for seamless cross-border energy flows is essential – and the Connecting Europe Facility's contribution is instrumental in this respect.”
Project promoters may apply for EU co-financing both for studies and construction works, until 16 September 2025. On May 2025, the Commission will organise a CEF Energy online info day to support stakeholders with the application and evaluation process. The results of this call will be released early next year.
This call will help the EU complete the Energy Union and make sure citizens and businesses can fully benefit from the clean energy transition and integrated energy markets.
CEF Energy is a key funding instrument to support the necessary infrastructure developments. It promotes growth, jobs and competitiveness with a total budget of €5.88 billion for the period 2021-2027.
You can find more information online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 2 295 86 61)
Commission clears acquisition of HPS by BlackRock
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of HPS Group Adviser Holdings, L.P. and HPS Partners Investment Holdings, LLC (‘HPS') by BlackRock, Inc., all of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to asset management services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11839.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commissioner Jørgensen in Azerbaijan to reinforce energy cooperation
Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, will be in Baku tomorrow to reaffirm the strategic energy partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan.
He will participate in the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council.
Commissioner Jørgensen will speak at the inaugural Southern Gas Corridor session and attend the Ministerial session, alongside representatives from partner governments, institutions and companies. The meeting will be a key opportunity to discuss the capacity expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor. The pipeline represents a crucial route of gas supply diversification for the EU and its neighbouring countries, as we seek to fully phase out Russian supplies.
Cooperation in the field of renewable energy and methane emissions abatement will also feature prominently in Commissioner Jørgensen's visit to Azerbaijan. The Green Energy Advisory Council will discuss efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy development across the region. The Commissioner will also join a meeting with Azerbaijani, Georgian, Romanian, Hungarian and Bulgarian Ministers to take stock of the green energy corridor agreement. He will also co-chair an EU-Azerbaijan business roundtable on offshore wind energy development in the Caspian Sea alongside the Azerbaijani Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov.
On his way to Baku, the Commissioner will stop in Ankara, Türkiye, today to meet with the Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar.
Commissioner Hansen in Finland to present the Vision for Agriculture and Food
Today and Friday, 3 and 4 April, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, is in Finland for bilateral meetings with Finnish national authorities and several visits to meet local farmers.
In Helsinki, he will meet with the Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, and with the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Sari Essayah, as well as with members of the Grand Committee of the Finnish Parliament.
During his two-days visit, Commissioner Hansen will present the EU's Vision for Agriculture and Food, focusing on food security and crisis preparedness. Commissioner Hansen will visit the National Emergency Supply Agency, which ensures security of supply of agri-food products. His visit will also include a tour of the Kivelä dairy farm in Sysmä, the Metsä Group's bio-product mill and a nearby forest site in Äänekoski.
Christophe Hansen said: “Finland is the world's northernmost agricultural country, so it is highly interesting for me to see first-hand how they make it work. It is a prime example of why we need a territorial and tailored approach instead of “one-size-fits-all” which cannot work for food and farming. Finland is also a frontrunner in preparedness and stockpiling due to its remoteness and its geographical proximity to Russia. Food security and our recent Preparedness Strategy will also be at the heart of my meetings, especially during the visit of the Finnish National Emergency Supply Agency.”
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours- Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)
Commissioner Micallef in Lviv to launch Ukraine's first European Youth Capital
Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, is in Lviv to mark the official start of the city as 2025 European Youth Capital – the first Ukrainian city to hold this title.
The opening ceremony will gather around 1,000 participants, mostly young people, to present the programme and priorities for the year ahead. Lviv's designation as European Youth Capital comes at a time when Ukraine continues to face Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression. The city was awarded the title in recognition of its youth-led vision to strengthen community resilience and build a democratic, inclusive, and European future, even in the midst of war.
Commissioner Micallef said: “Holding the title of European Youth Capital is testimony of the commitment of a city and its entire community towards young people. I am honoured to witness the start of the 2025 title year in Lviv and see first-hand the results of the efforts, dedication, and resilience of its citizens, including many young people, embodied in the motto ‘Not Easy, But Move'. Among them, today we remember Yaryna Bazylevych, young youth activist who was part of the Lviv European Youth Capital initiative, and sadly one of the many victims of the war in Ukraine.”
Since the start of Russia's invasion, Lviv has become a key humanitarian hub, sheltering thousands of displaced people. Its European Youth Capital programme reflects this reality, focusing on supporting young people affected by war, encouraging civic engagement, and fostering opportunities to stay and rebuild their country.
The European Youth Capital title, awarded annually by the European Youth Forum since 2009, recognises cities' efforts to empower young people and promote their active participation in public life. The initiative complements the European Union's comprehensive support to Ukraine.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)