Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

Lars Klingbeil, German Minister of Finance, and Roland Lescure, Minister for Finance and Economy of France, are pictured during a press conference on January 19, 2026 in Berlin, Germany

EU says 'priority is to engage not escalate'

The EU executive says it wants to engage with the US after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on European countries in the standoff over Greenland, but was ready to act if needed.

World • 37 mins

Danish soldiers disembark at the port in Nuuk, Greenland

EU states hold off on retaliatory measures against US

EU member states have held off imposing immediate retaliatory trade measures against the United States, including the use of the EU's toughest response weapon, known as the Anti Coercion Instrument (ACI), according to an EU diplomat.

Europe • 17 hrs

Davos invokes spirit of dialogue, despite bleak outlook

Analysis and Comment • 2 hrs

French farmers take part in a demonstration organized by French Farmers union FDSEA and JA Sarthe (Young Farmers Sarthe) to push French government to block the Mercosur trade deal and to protest against its handling of the nodular dermatitis (CND) epidemi

Writing was on the wall prior to EU-Mercosur vote

It's understood the writing was on the wall for the EU-Mercosur agreement not long after the meeting of EU ambassadors got underway in Brussels, writes Tony Connelly.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Jan

French farmers protest against EU-Mercosur trade agreement

Mercosur 'not a done deal' despite EU vote - Tánaiste

European Union member states have approved the EU-Mercosur trade agreement through a weighted majority vote.

Politics • 09 Jan

Members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association protesting against the Mercosur trade deal in Brussels

Brazilian beef with banned hormones entered Irish market

Confirmation that Brazilian beef containing banned hormones entered the Irish food chain should be a "wake-up" call for the Government, the Irish Farmers' Association has said.

Ireland • 07 Jan

Four European flags fluttering against the Berlaymont building, headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels

War and shadows that will fall on Ireland's EU presidency

If January 2025 began with European trepidation about the incoming second Trump presidency, the impact of his return to the White House has been more severe on Europe than even the pessimists could have imagined.

Analysis and Comment • 04 Jan

Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Brussels

Russian assets: A bridge too far for EU and Belgium

A so-called Reparations Loan was discussed at length by EU leaders but ultimately proved too complex and an EU joint debt plan was put into motion.

Analysis and Comment • 20 Dec 25

Photo shows Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking to media outside Government Buildings

EU's €90bn Ukraine loan the 'price of war' - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has welcomed the EU decision to raise a €90bn loan to fund Ukraine, which he described as the "price of war", adding that "we hope for peace" from Russia's "devastating war".

Europe • 19 Dec 25

Resolution of Mercosur issue not expected this week

The Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he does not expect a resolution of the Mercosur issue at this week's meeting of EU leaders, which has just got underway in Brussels.

Business • 18 Dec 25