Photo : US President Donald Trump holds a signed Trade Agreement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at the
INTERNATIONAL
UK signs trade deal with the US at the G7 Summit
On 17 June, US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer signed an agreement on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, lowering the American tariffs on the UK. The deal includes a reduction of tariffs from 25 per cent to 10 per cent on British automobiles, and no tariffs on aerospace. The tariffs on steel and aluminium remain unsettled. Trump calls this deal a fantastic one and said that the deal with Great Britain is signed and done. Starmer on the deal said that this shows a sign of real strength. The US executive order implements a deal that highlights the setback on the tariffs on steel, as they want assurances on the Chinese owners of British Steel. The UK, in response, confirmed that they are committed to meeting the requirements of the US, especially on the security of the supply of steel and aluminium products exported to the US, as well as the nature of ownership of relevant production facilities. (Peter Walker, “Trump says UK is protected from tariffs ‘because I like them’ as trade deal is signed off,” The Guardian, 16 June 2025; Jarret Renshaw & Andrea Shalal, “US and UK announce a trade deal, but steel imports unresolved,” Reuters, 17 June 2025)
India and Cyprus to enhance defence and maritime cooperation
On 16 June, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus, both countries agreed to expand collaboration in defence and maritime security. This collaboration included more frequent Indian naval visits to Cypriot ports and joint search-and-rescue and naval training exercises. Both countries established a framework for terrorism information‑sharing and planned to boost cybersecurity cooperation. Modi highlighted Cyprus’s strategic role in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor and referred to the island as India's gateway to Europe. President Nikos Christodoulides affirmed Cyprus’s support for infrastructure projects under IMEC. he also signalled intentions to promote India‑EU trade ties during Cyprus’s upcoming EU presidency in early 2026. (Oman AI Yahyai, "India and Cyprus to boost defence and maritime cooperation, Modi says," Euronews, 16 June 2025)
TURKEY
Mayor of Istanbul in court against threatening a public official
On 16 June, Ekrem Imamoglu appeared in court for threatening and insulting a judicial official. He was charged with threatening, insulting, and targeting a public official. The case was filed when Imamoglu allegedly made comments on the Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul, Akin Gurlek. The hearing took place at Istanbul’s Silivri prison, where Imamoglu has been detained since March for a corruption case. He claimed that he was targeted because he planned to run against Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election, according to Turkish media. In the court, Imamoglu said that he was subjected to psychological pressure, and all the opposition parties and the will of the people were being judged there. (Richard Connor, “Jailed Istanbul mayor in court over prosecutor 'threat',” Deutsche Welle, 16 June 2025)
REGIONAL
European Green parties seek a new life
On 16 June, Euronews reported on a meeting held between Europe's Green parties in Brussels to discuss their electoral setbacks. This comes after Europe’s Green parties' poor performance in the 2024 European Parliament elections. The loss of seats was observed across Germany, France, and Austria, though gains were seen in the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, and Sweden. They faced losses, reducing from 71 to around 53 seats, amid a rightward political shift. Germany’s Greens saw their vote share nearly halve, falling from about 20.5 per cent in 2019 to 12 per cent in 2024. The EU’s shift to the right raised concerns that the Green Deal and other climate‑focused policies might be diluted or stalled. While centrists and conservatives are pushing more cautious, competitiveness‑focused agendas. Co-presidents of the Green European Party stated that it's important to answer people's everyday concerns and expressed their concerns about the future of the EU's roadmap in achieving climate neutrality by 2050. (Amandline Hess, "Europe's Green parties are looking for a new lease of life," Euronews, 16 June 2025)
Hungary and Slovakia oppose the EU energy security proposal to cut down Russian dependency
On 16 June, Hungary and Slovakia refused to support the EU’s proposal aimed at reducing dependency on Russian oil and gas during a meeting with the 27 member states. They declined to back a text put forward by the Polish Presidency that sought to phase out imports of Russian natural gas and LNG by the end of 2027. Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó vetoed the Council conclusions. He argued that energy policy was a national competence and that the plan threatened their sovereignty and security amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Polish Presidency clarified that the document represented an “ambitious proposal” rather than a formal Council conclusion. He also added that the plan intended to gauge support for the phase‑out timeline. The European Commission was expected to follow up with a legislative proposal shortly, without the approval of Hungary and Slovakia. (Eleonora Vasques, "Hungary and Slovakia resist EU’s energy security plan," Euronews, 16 June 2025)
Germany and Spain insist on the EU-Mercosur Deal; France blocks progress, demanding climate commitments
On 16 June, Germany actively pushed for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Germany saw it as vital to expand export markets and secure strategic raw materials. Germany, along with Spain and others, portrayed the pact as a geopolitical necessity to counter Chinese and US protectionism. Germany also argued that it could save EU businesses EUR 4–4.26 billion annually. Meanwhile, France rallied a coalition that brought in Austria, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and others to block the deal. France cited the deal as a threat to domestic farmers and environmental standards. France President Macron demanded safeguards such as climate commitments before any support. France used its political influence to push a blocking minority under the EU’s 35 per cent population rule. Despite objections, the deal reached a final stage politically. However, formal ratification still depended on approval by all 27 member states and the European Parliament. (Jeremias Lin, "Germany pushes for Mercosur deal as France rallies allies to block it," Euractiv, 16 June 2025)
EIB approves loan to France‑Spain undersea power link
On 16 June, the European Investment Bank approved a EUR 1.6 billion loan to finance the Bay of Biscay power interconnector between Spain and France. The project comprised a 400-kilometer high-voltage cable, about 300 kilometers underwater between the two countries. It was designed to double power exchange capacity from 2.8 gigawatts to five gigawatts by 2028. The initiative followed a massive blackout in April across the Iberian Peninsula, which underscored the region’s inadequate grid interconnections. The cable aimed at integrating Iberian renewable energy into the broader EU grid and enhancing energy security. Inelfe—a joint venture of Spain’s Red Eléctrica and France’s RTE- was tasked with the cable’s construction. (Ines Fernandez-Pontes, "France-Spain high voltage line gets €1.6 billion EU bank boost," Euractiv, 16 June 2025)
ESA announces Proba-3 mission to understand the solar corona
On 16 June, the European Space Agency announced ESA's Proba-3 mission to improve understanding of the solar corona. The mission consisted of two spacecraft that were flying 150 meters apart, and they created an artificial solar eclipse for better understanding. Together they performed a millimeter-precision flying maneuver so that one cast a shadow over the other, creating an artificial eclipse. This blocked the sun, which clearly gave a visual of the solar corona. These were known as Occulter and Coronagraph that create an artificial eclipse every 19 hours and 36 minutes in the orbits and hold their precision flying formation for six hours. Proba-3 aims to improve scientific understanding of solar weather, like coronal mass ejections and solar storms. (Zulfikar Abbany, “Twin Proba-3 spacecraft create artificial solar eclipse,” Deutsche Welle, 16 June 2025)
Germany and France to strengthen their security of Jewish sites
On 16 June, Germany announced that due to attacks from Iran, it has decided to protect Jewish sites around the borders. France has decided to do the same. The Israeli minister for Diaspora affairs has reported to Euronews that Israel is now a greater threat than ever. He said they managed to attack the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Iran might retaliate, hence Germany was being monitored in the sites where Jewish communities were being protected based on information provided by the Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Similar protests to protect jews were taking place in Belgium. In response to Israel's attack on Iran, EU leaders have called for restraint and diplomacy. Concerns were being raised about violent demonstrations in Belgium and a hope for steps to secure the Jewish community. The EU was making efforts towards a peaceful resolution. (Sasha Vakulina, “Germany and France boost security around Jewish sites amid rising threats from Iran,” Euronews, 16 June 2025)