The Latest Breaking News from Friedrich Merz

Germany aims to find “the right balance of cooperation” with China. The visit comes at a critical time for German car makers who face increased Chinese competition.

Following reports on Wednesday that Christine Lagarde could step down as ECB President before her mandate ends, some EU countries have begun sounding out potential successors.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cast doubt on one of Europe’s most ambitious joint defence projects, suggesting Berlin could ultimately walk away from the Future Combat Air System programme over deepening differences with France.

The top US diplomat’s soothing tone masked a familiar message: Europe can remain America’s ally – but at a cost

Reports on Wednesday indicated Christine Lagarde could step down as ECB President before her mandate expires in October 2027. The ECB asserted that no decision has been made and that the President is focused on her mission, in a response to Euronews.

The fledgling ‘coalition of the willing’ assembled for Ukraine could form the basis for an urgent European security response, says Paul Taylor of the European Policy Centre

Plant closures possible as part of German carmaker’s efforts to create resilience in face of competition from China

The security precautions outside the MSC were as usual: barriers, a heavy police presence, meticulous checks. But as the conference draws to a close on Sunday evening, one irritating realisation remains: inside, nothing was the same, Dr Alexander Wolf writes in an opinion article for Euronews.

Foreign minister puts pressure on Emmanuel Macron amid doubts over US’s commitment to European defence