Discussions about tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are intensifying following a recent meeting of industry ministers in Brussels on Thursday (26 September). Member states are split on supporting these tariffs, with undecided countries like Sweden and Germany potentially abstaining.

China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao toured Europe earlier this month to lobby against the tariffs. Simultaneously, the European Commission and China are negotiating a "price undertaking" agreement that would set a minimum price for Chinese EVs in Europe to avoid tariffs. All this is happening amid growing geopolitical tensions between China and the EU, and increasing concern about the economic risks, particularly in Germany, which is heavily dependent on the Chinese auto market and may face retaliatory measures.

To better understand what is happening with the EU-China negotiations we spoke with our economy reporter, Thomas Moller-Nielsen.

Facing pressure from Russian aggression in the east, the EU has pledged to build an independent, cross-border military under an ambitious defence strategy.

Boosting defence spending is no small task – it would require €500 billion over the next decade, according to European Commission President von der Leyen. Yet, only €1.5 billion is currently allocated for 2025 to 2027.

With the stakes high, the European Commission must answer uncomfortable questions: who will fund it, and how much will it cost?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and defence editor Aurelie Pugnet explore the EU’s defence budget dilemma with insights from Nathalie Loiseau, Member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE).

The situation in the Middle East is rapidly deteriorating. Though not officially termed a war, the escalating conflict across Gaza, northern Israel, and southern Lebanon suggests a new regional conflict in the Middle East is rapidly taking shape.

Israel's operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Beirut, which resulted in the death of one of Hezbollah's leaders, has triggered missile retaliation and caused severe civilian casualties. More than 550 people, among them dozens of children have died, and thousands have fled the violence since Israel’s most intense barrage. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging immediate de-escalation, civilian protection, and unhindered humanitarian aid to prevent further catastrophe, particularly in Gaza, where the situation is already dire.

In today’s episode, host Evi Kiorri brings you a voice from Gaza: Hisham Mhanna, spokesperson of the ICRC, discusses the situation on the ground. Our senior editor, Georgi Gotev, joins us to unpack the current situation in southern Lebanon and north Israel.

Newly-appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has revealed his government, keeping much of the pro-Macron agenda while making key concessions to the far-right Rassemblement National (RN).

With a no-confidence vote looming, Barnier faces immense pressure to balance urgent budget reforms amid rising deficits and demands from conservative and far-right parties. The next few weeks are crucial for France’s political stability, as delays in presenting the 2025 budget raise concerns within the European Commission.

Which French ministries is Brussels keeping an eye on, and what’s left of Macron's influence both domestically and within the EU? To look into these questions, we’re joined by our Paris based reporter Théo Bourgery-Gonse.

World leaders are gathering in New York for the UN Summit of the Future, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to reshape international institutions, even though leaders of the so-called Permanent Five will be absent.

With the Summit taking place just before the high-level week of the General Assembly, discussions are expected to be lively.

However, given the vague language of the documents under discussion and the absence of key leaders of the P5 - the US, UK, France, China, and Russia - many question the possibility of meaningful reform or whether the UN's future can be reshaped at all.

In this episode, host Giada Santana is joined by Brenda Mofya, head of Oxfam in New York, to explore the key takeaways, challenges, and hopes from the Summit of the Future.

More and more EU member states are moving away from the notion of a united EU front on migration, opting for individual solutions instead. Germany's recent decision to ramp up border controls at all nine of its borders has been criticised by EU countries like Poland, Austria, and Greece.

With the European Commission warning that such actions should only be reserved for exceptional cases, what does this mean for the future of the EU's highly anticipated migration pact? Why are member states increasingly pursuing their own migration policies?

We spoke with our Berlin-based politics reporter, Nick Alipour, to answer these pressing questions.

All eyes are on Teresa Ribera, after President von der Leyen tasked the Spanish politician with steering Europe's green transition while ensuring its competitiveness. Despite the prestige attached to the role, Ribera sits as one of the few socialists among predominantly conservative colleagues, with whom she might have to compromise during the next mandate. Who will she collaborate with, and what can we expect from the incoming environment and energy commissioners?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and Environment hub editor Donagh Cagney discuss the commissioner nominees and the future of EU energy and environment policy.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her proposed team of European Commissioners, highlighting significant leadership changes. Six executive vice presidents, including Finland's Henna Virkkunen and Italy's Raffaele Fitto, will oversee key policy areas.

Von der Leyen emphasised gender parity, increasing female representation to 40%. But who are the new names, what are the newly created roles and what happens if the team fails to achieve parliamentary confirmation before taking office?

To break down all this, and what this means for the new College of Commissioners and their portfolios, I’m joined by our politics reporter, Nicoletta Ionta.

[Edited by Rajnish Singh]