FEPS Newsletter 7 April 2025 – 🇪🇺 Pathway for Europe – Which way to go now?

Trade war, peace, Just Transition & more – If you have problems displaying this email, […]

07/04/2025
Trade war, peace, Just Transition & more –

If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link

Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the global economy with his announcement of new tariffs, marking what is likely a turning point in economic history. The crucial question now is how Europe should respond, as this decision will shape the coming years. 

 

This week’s newsletter tackles these priorities, deconstructing them to avoid falling into hasty alarmist tendencies that might cause us to forget the core values on which Europe was built. 

 

In light of the ongoing unpredictability of global politics, let’s use this World Health Day to reflect on the fact that preparedness can only be achieved in a political system that prioritises everyone’s wellbeing.

News
Trade war as never seen before

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Lightspring

 

Trade war as never seen before

Commentary by FEPS Secretary

General László Andor

 

The tariffs slapped by Donald Trump on the world represent a milestone in economic history. What is claimed to be Liberation Day (April 2) brought outrage and disruption, but also retaliatory measures from a number of America’s trade partners (especially China). Read more.

The potential impact and effect of Trump's tariffs

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Kowit Lanchu

 

The potential impact and effect of Trump’s tariffs

Commentary by FEPS Policy Analyst on Economy Anna Kolesnichenko

 

As the European Union is digesting the shock of Trump tariffs and preparing its response, it is worth taking a look at the bigger picture of what is happening. This may help the EU come up with proper policy responses. Read more. 

Brussels, my love?
 

FEPS in Brussels, my love?

 

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues and FEPS International Policy Analyst Beatriz Abellán joined the Portuguese and Spanish editions of the Euronews talk show ‘Brussels, My Love?’ to discuss the proposal of 72-hour survival kits, the potential recession triggered by Donald Trump’s new tariffs and the costs of travelling to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Why young voters are ignoring mainstream politics

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Alexandros Michailidis

 

Why young voters are ignoring mainstream politics

Published by Social Europe

 

Read this article co-authored by FEPS Policy Analyst on Democracy Matteo Dressler on why political parties are failing to connect with young voters and how they should rethink their strategies. Read more.

Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule

A common new chapter for EU enlargement
 

📅  8 APRIL

📍 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 💬  EXPERT MEETING

A common new chapter for EU enlargement

The European political cycle that began last year has brought a shift towards the political (far) right. This changing political landscape, along with Donald Trump’s re-election as US President and its impact on the geopolitical balance, is affecting the EU’s enlargement policy. This meeting will bring together experts to debate the future of EU enlargement in this new context, focusing particularly on the role of youth in the candidate states’ development, as well as the role of European nationalist and far-right forces in the enlargement process. Find out more.

>
Day of Progressive Economic Policy 2025
 

📅  9 APRIL

📍  BERLIN, GERMANY

Day of Progressive Economic Policy 2025

The new European Commission and the incoming German government are facing unprecedented challenges: an industry in need of a major upgrade, geopolitical and security threats, and internal threats from the far right. Yet outdated economic ideas are resurfacing, endangering workers, well-being and the planet.

 

This annual Congress brings together top-level policymakers and thinkers to shape bold, progressive policies and investments for Germany and the EU. Read more. 

>
Roadmap to the next MFF 
 

📅  11 APRIL

📍  FEPS HQ

💬  EXPERT MEETING

Roadmap to the next MFF 

Supporting Just Transition and cohesion

This year’s Territorial Just Transition stakeholder meeting will  bring together a diverse range of actors (civil society, decision-makers, experts, regional campaigners, etc.) involved in just transition to discuss the implications of current EU policy development for just transition and cohesion in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and EU funding mechanisms. More info.

>
Trade, trust and transition
 

📅  23-24 APRIL

📍  WASHINGTON DC,

       USA

💬  EXPERT MEETING

Trade, trust and transition

Progressive Economics Network 2025

Held in the fringes of the 2025 World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, the discussions of this meeting will centre around trade, the changing US-EU relations and strategic partnerships for sustainability, including three main sessions on:

  • The emerging trade regime: Aligning on shared objectives
  • Guns or butter? Balancing priorities in the transatlantic relationship
  • The geoeconomics of sustainability: Forming strategic partnerships

Read more.

>
Europe in the turtle trap
 

📅  23 APRIL

📍  FEPS HQ

💬  EXPERT MEETING

Europe in the turtle trap

Defence spending alone will not protect us
As the EU is shifting its approach towards military spending and with funding for international cooperation increasingly being questioned, how can the EU and its member states continue to prioritise conflict prevention and peacebuilding in fragile states? 

 

During this event, FEPS and GPPi will discuss the EU’s role as a global peace actor, focusing on funding mechanisms for conflict prevention in the current MFF discussions, identifying key gaps and opportunities. Find out more.

>
Podcast

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

Creating and keeping peace

With John Karlsrud and László Andor

 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website

Listen to the podcast

Peacekeeping expert Prof. John Karlsrud analyses the ongoing European debate on establishing and maintaining peace in Ukraine. He presents concrete proposals for the composition of peacekeeping forces in the region and clarifies why the United Nations could not have been more instrumental during the last 3 years of war. Additionally, he strongly advocates for EU enlargement and examines Europe’s institutional landscape, emphasising the enduring relevance of organisations like the OSCE and the growing importance of newer platforms such as the EPC.

 
Progressive Post
Serbia's students roar

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Marko Dimic

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Serbia’s students roar

By Adnan Ćerimagić

 

Students in Serbia have been protesting for over 100 days, bravely calling for the rule rule of law and challenging Vučić’s regime. So far the EU’s response has been too weak. It is time for the EU to stop whispering, speak loud and act! Read more. 

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Greenland in the line of fire

By Ulrik Pram Gad

 

US President Donald Trump’s increasingly aggressive attention threatens Greenland’s long quest for self-determination. Now Greenlandic leaders appeal to Europe for backup. Read more.

Greenland in the line of fire

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Stig Alenas

Thirty years after the 1995 Beijing declaration was put in place, setting out an ambitious vision for gender equality and as we reflect on progress at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, the picture is mixed. There have been undeniable strides forward – yet, troubling regressions threaten these hard-won gains. Today, we must ask: how far have we really come? And what must we do next to safeguard and accelerate gender equality? Read more. 

Was this email forwarded to you?

Copyright © 2025 FEPS Europe, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you participated in one of FEPS’ events and/or have registered for FEPS’ newsletter.

If you wish not to receive FEPS’ communications anymore, please click here: unsubscribe now

 

Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Avenue des Arts, 46 – 1000 Bruxelles

+32 223 46 900 – info@feps-europe.eu

Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
28/05/2026

A pact in times of war(s)

A year and a half ago, with the nomination of the first-ever European Commissioner fully […]
28/05/2026

An integrated Mediterranean energy system to weather disruption

The current energy crisis is not only reshaping global oil and gas markets, but it […]
28/05/2026

Europe and Israel: a strategic watershed moment

In the same short period that Spain and Belgium were tightening arms embargoes against Israel, […]
Find all related Magazine
Magazine
  • cover book

    Issue #30 Progressive Post

Issue #30

In geopolitics, 2026 is challenging our certainties: from the abduction of the Venezuelan president, over […]
  • cover book

    # Issue 29 Progressive Post

# Issue 29

From the war in Ukraine to the devastation of Gaza since 2023, the words ‘war’ […]
  • cover book

    # Issue 28 Progressive Post

# Issue 28

European Social Democracy at historical crossroads
Find all related publications
Publications
11/05/2026

Place-based industrial policy

Places, people and power in European industrial policy
17/04/2026

The open future and its enemies

How we can protect free society from AI dictatorship
17/04/2026

EqualiZe

Gender differences in political opinion and voting among Generation Z
27/03/2026

Laboratories of counter-hegemony

Orbán, Trump and the transatlantic far-right ecosystem
Find all related news
News
13/04/2026

Hungary’s civic revolution

FEPS' commentary on the outcomes of the Hungarian election
05/03/2026

The new EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030

Commentary by the Feminist Foreign Policy Progressive Voices Collective (FFPPVC)
03/03/2026

Wag the dog?

FEPS commentary on the US-Israel attack on Iran
03/03/2026

Closing ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine programme

The graduation ceremony completed the programme which was part of the Open Progressive University (OPU).
Find all related in the media
In the media

Τα Νέα του ΑΝΤ1 – Επεισόδιο 30/05/2026

by ANT1 30/05/2026
ANT1 News TV news report on the event "A progressive strategy for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean - Call to Europe Cyprus" - 46:00 - 47:20

University of Nicosia hosts FEPS forum on a progressive strategy for the Mediterranean

by Philenews 29/05/2026
Read the article published in Philenews, which focuses on the conference "A progressive strategy for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean" organised by FEPS and its partners.

Dep. Minister and former EU Commissioner discuss social protection

by Cyprus News Agency 29/05/2026
Read the article published by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), which mentions Anna Diamantopoulou's participation in the latest edition of Call to Europe "A progressive strategy for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean" , organised in Cyprus by FEPS and its partners.

Driftet Generation Z politisch auseinander?

by Der Standard 26/05/2026
"Is Generation Z drifting apart politically?" In this article published in Der Standard, Tobias Spöri and Gefjon Off use data from FEPS' policy study "EqualiZe" to show that Europe’s youth political gender gap varies by country and requires framing equality as a shared societal benefit.