The U.S. and the European Union (E.U.) have initiated trade negotiations following a conversation between Maros Sefcovic, the E.U. trade commissioner, and Howard Lutnick, the U.S. commerce secretary. This dialogue occurred after President Trump announced a delay on 50 percent tariffs on all E.U. imports to facilitate further discussions. Sefcovic expressed the E.U.'s commitment to constructive negotiations via social media.
On Sunday, Trump spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, which a spokeswoman described as providing “a new impetus for the negotiations.” The aim is to reach an agreement before July 9, when the current levies are scheduled to take effect.
However, the negotiations face challenges due to differing priorities between the U.S. and the E.U. A spokesperson for the commission indicated that the E.U. still proposes mutual tariff reductions on industrial goods to zero and is refining lists of potential retaliatory tariffs on American imports such as machinery, soybeans, and bourbon.
Conversely, the Trump administration has sought changes to European consumption tax systems and digital regulations, which E.U. officials have indicated they are unwilling to modify.
In a separate development, Russia conducted a significant aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with Ukraine reporting at least 355 drones and nine missiles involved in the attack. This escalation comes as the U.S. appears to be distancing itself from the conflict and diplomatic efforts to resolve the war.
Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media, labeling his actions as “absolutely CRAZY,” while also suggesting that Ukraine's leadership has used provocative language. Despite his statements, Trump has not joined European allies in imposing new financial sanctions on Russia or providing additional military support to Ukraine, leading experts to note a pattern of rhetoric without substantial action.
Meanwhile, as South Korea approaches the election of a new president on June 3 to replace the impeached Yoon Suk Yeol, many women in the country express concern that their priorities for safety and equality are being overlooked. South Korea is noted for its significant gender-based discrimination and online sexual abuse issues.
The leading presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, is reportedly cautious in addressing women's issues to avoid alienating male voters. His silence on critical topics such as anti-discrimination legislation and a broader definition of rape has raised concerns among women's groups.
In cultural news, Sweden's government is exploring what defines the nation's culture, with a report expected this summer to present two “canons” — one determined by experts and another by the public. However, many artists worry that the outcome may reflect a narrow perspective that overlooks contributions from minority groups.
In literary developments, Banu Mushtaq's collection “Heart Lamp” has made history as the first story collection translated from Kannada to win the International Booker Prize. The translator, Deepa Bhasthi, played a significant role in selecting stories from Mushtaq's three-decade body of work, highlighting the evolving nature of translation in India.
For recommendations, readers can explore Korean jorim recipes, recent movie critiques, Ute Lemper's latest album, a 20-minute workout, tips for helping children with clothing choices, podcasts revisiting oral histories, and various word games.
That concludes today's briefing. Further feedback can be directed to the provided contact email.