EU leaders gathered in Brussels for a meeting on Monday, with the threat of US tariffs on European industry looming large.
US President Donald Trump's actions since returning to the White House, following through on his threat to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, have caused alarm in Europe.
Now his gaze has turned across the Atlantic. The EU runs a trade surplus with the US, which means it exports more than it imports. Mr Trump has suggested he might target Europe's car and food sectors, calling the bloc an “atrocity” on trade. "They don't take our cars, they don't take our farm products, they take almost nothing and we take everything from them – millions of cars, tremendous amounts of food and farm products" Mr Trump has said.
As the leaders met to discuss defence, a possible trade war with the US is at the forefront of their minds.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the EU must show its muscle if Mr Trump makes good on his threats. "If we are attacked in terms of trade, Europe as a true power will have to stand up for itself and therefore react," he said as he arrived in Brussels.
The EU's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, spoke of a two-way transatlantic trade relationship as she arrived at the leaders' summit. "We need America, and America needs us as well," she said. "Tariffs increase costs. They are not good for the jobs, not good for the customers either." China would be the only winner of a trade war between the EU and the US, she added.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, the EU's largest economy which is highly reliant on exports, said the bloc could respond if necessary with its own tariffs against the US but stressed it would be better for the two parties to reach a trading agreement.
World's biggest trade relationship
The US and the EU have the biggest trade relationship in the world – together, they represent about 30 per cent of global trade and 43 per cent of the world's GDP. In 2023, transatlantic trade in goods and services exceeded €1.5 trillion ($1.54 trillion). Meanwhile, more than 10 million people are employed by US-European companies and their affiliates, doing business on both sides of the Atlantic.
Germany is among Europe's three largest exporters to the US, alongside Italy and Ireland. Machinery and mechanical appliances represent its top export to the US, followed by chemicals, plastic, rubber and leather goods. Italy exports mostly machinery and fashion products. For Ireland, trade with the US is particularly important. Irish exports to the US represent close to 46 per cent of its non-EU exports, with the US buying mostly pharmaceutical products and chemicals. In terms of the percentage of national exports that leave the EU, Ireland is followed by Finland at 25.5 per cent and Austria at 23 per cent.
The US is also the number-one destination for European vehicles. In 2023, car exports to the US accounted for 20 per cent of all exports, to the tune of €56 billion. The industry employs 13.8 million people, leaving the industry "highly vulnerable" to tariff threats, according to Oxford Economics. "Any disruption to this key industry would have significant implications for the broader European economy," it said in a blog post last month.
European agri-food products, which represent 12 per cent of all exports to the US, are another major sector that may be affected by new tariffs. The sale of products such as cereal preparations, dairy and wine were worth €27.2 billion in 2023, according to the European Commission. European chocolate, olive oil and cheese are among high-value products bought by the US. However, exports of alcoholic spirits and liqueurs to the US decreased by 27 per cent in 2022. In return, the EU's primary purchases in this sector from the US include nuts, cereal and animal feed.
But the tariff troubles for many European companies could start as early as Tuesday. The levies on Mexico and Canada will hit European car makers Volkswagen and Stellantis almost immediately. The two companies have sizeable manufacturing plants in Mexico and sell the cars they make there across the border in the US. Analysts at investment bank Stifel said 65 per cent of the cars that Volkswagen sells in the US would no longer be competitive once the tariffs come into force.
Much is at stake. For example, last year VW's Audi subsidiary made nearly 176,000 cars at its plant in San Jose Chiapa in Mexico, with almost all destined for export to the US. On top of its operations in Mexico, Volkswagen is also building a battery gigafactory in Ontario, Canada. It will invest up to $4.9 billion in the project, which is expected to start production in 2027 and will provide batteries for EVs in the North American market.
Shares in Volkswagen and Stellantis were both about 6 per cent lower on Monday morning, Volvo Cars, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche all fell between 3.4 per cent and 5.2 per cent in early trading. Meanwhile, shares in French car parts supplier Valeo slumped by 7 per cent.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
The years Ramadan fell in May
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
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Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
