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EU Finalizes Response to US Tariffs, Eyes Negotiation Path
The European Union is preparing a counterstrategy in response to the United States’ recent imposition of 20% tariffs on all EU imports, a move that has escalated trade tensions between the two blocs. Despite warnings of a firm and quick response, the EU continues to finalize its countermeasures, aiming to avoid a full-scale trade war while keeping the door open for future negotiations.
The tariffs, announced by the US government on Wednesday, are the latest in a series of trade confrontations, following earlier duties imposed by the Trump administration on steel, aluminium, and cars. The EU, already dealing with the economic fallout of these earlier tariffs, is now faced with an additional 20% duty on all imports, adding complexity to its response.
“We are buying the space we need to negotiate with the Americans and are looking to target our response effectively,” said an EU official on Thursday. The EU’s approach will focus on limiting economic pain for its member states while also taking into account the potential impact on the US if necessary.
To counter the US tariffs, the EU is considering a range of retaliatory measures, including the targeting of US products in a two-phase response. The first set of countermeasures could be implemented by mid-April, with additional tariffs potentially coming into play by the end of the month. These tariffs could extend to key sectors such as cars, pharmaceuticals, steel, and semiconductors. Furthermore, the EU is contemplating using an “anti-coercion” tool adopted in 2023, which could affect US business licenses and intellectual property rights.
“We are not taking any option off the table,” stated a senior EU official. “Any response will be proportionate; we are not in the business of escalating but of solving things.” The EU’s goal is to navigate the situation without provoking further conflict, and it intends to employ these countermeasures as a means to incentivize the US to engage in meaningful negotiations rather than as a punitive measure.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is scheduled to speak with US counterparts on Friday via video call in an attempt to keep diplomatic channels open. The EU has emphasized its desire to negotiate from a “fair position” and a “position of strength.” As one senior EU official explained, the ultimate aim is not to punish but to create an environment that encourages negotiation.
The US has long maintained that the EU imposes a blanket 5% tariff on US imports, while EU officials point out that the average tariff the US applies to EU imports is 1.4%, slightly higher than the EU’s 1.2% average on US goods. The EU is keen to negotiate reductions in these tariffs, striving for a balanced and reciprocal agreement.
Negotiations are expected to focus heavily on five sectors that are critical to US interests: cars, aluminium and steel, semiconductors, lumber, and pharmaceuticals. These industries are expected to be the most contentious areas of discussion as both sides seek to resolve the trade impasse.
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Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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