EU and US reach tariff agreement after late-night negotiations

The European Parliament and EU member states have reached a deal to implement a tariff agreement with the US, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports. The compromise comes after intense negotiations, with Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa (Moderate Party), acknowledging the terms as unfavourable but necessary.

“This is not a dream deal from our perspective. We’re facing the highest tariffs in 85 years. But the alternative would be even worse,” Dousa stated ahead of the talks.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day state visit, marking their latest high-level meeting amid shifting global alliances.

In a separate development, the US Department of Defense announced a reduction in the number of American brigades stationed in Europe, according to a statement from the Pentagon.