The first day of the EU summit concluded with the 27 leaders giving Ursula von der Leyen a mandate to develop new tools to contain the increasingly devastating effects of the glut of low-cost, heavily subsidised goods coming from China.
However, it remains to be seen if, when push comes to shove, unity will prevail. Beijing has already threatened to retaliate if Brussels goes down the assertive road.
Meanwhile, the 27 EU leaders unanimously agreed to extend economic sanctions on Russia for one year. The bloc has traditionally prolonged sanctions every six months, creating opportunities for individual vetoes.
The European Council also adopted joint conclusions on Ukraine backed by the 27 leaders. This is the first time it has happened since March 2025, when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán shocked his peers by refusing to sign up.
This is how the day unfolded.
