Free Republic

Amid disastrous green diktats and crippling cuts to farmers’ livelihoods, the out-of-touch elites in Brussels seem to have forgotten where their food comes from. This afternoon, farmers from all over the European Union met outside the European Parliament to march on the Berlaymont, the European Commission’s HQ. Organised by COPA-COGECA, the umbrella body for 22 million European farmers, the demonstration should by all rights be a wake-up call for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The unions will hand over a petition signed by 6,335 organisations, along with a symbolic pair of boots, in protest of the EU’s plans to...

President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course earlier this month when he decided to send Patriot missiles, along with other possibly offensive weaponry, to Ukraine, provided that European nations pay the United States for them. Trump also announced that he would place 100 per cent tariffs on Russia if, after 50 days, Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed to move to a ceasefire. The shift irritated some on the American Right, who wish to see Europe do more on a war which directly affects them, but it pleased the Ukrainian government and pro-Ukrainian voices in the United States. But for some...

The EU is prepared to take the necessary steps to safeguard its interests if the U.S. proceeds with imposing a 30% tariff on European goods starting Aug 1, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday. Von der Leyen, who heads the EU's executive arm, said in a statement that the bloc remained ready "to continue working towards an agreement by Aug 1". "Few economies in the world match the European Union's level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices," she continued. "We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate...

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he's levying tariffs of 30% against the European Union and Mexico. Trump announced the tariffs on two of the United States' biggest trade partners in letters posted to his social media account. In his letter to Mexico's leader, Trump acknowledged that the country has been helpful in stemming the flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl into the United States. But he said the country has not done enough to stop North America from turning into a "Narco-Trafficking Playground." Trump in his letter to the European Union said that the U.S. trade deficit was a...

Last month’s NATO summit in The Hague gave off the disturbing impression of an alliance finally crossing the fine line between serious defence policy into the realm of make-believe. The main outcome was presented to the world as a “new 5 per cent defence spending pledge” by all allies. The previous target, dating from 2014, was 2 per cent. President Trump naturally claimed the new benchmark as a “big win”, with the White House calling it a “monumental victory” and a “dramatic” increase in defence contributions across the alliance. Yet hardly any of this is true. Of the 5 per...

Trump is heading to NATO for a trip lasting barely a day. It’s the pattern of his second term — attend international meetings, but don’t stay long.President Donald Trump left last week’s G-7 gathering in Canada a day early. This week he is scheduled to arrive at a NATO summit in The Hague for an abbreviated trip, arriving Tuesday and returning to the White House by Wednesday. Later this year, he may skip the G-20 in South Africa altogether. Trump has a long history of brushing off global summits — and, sometimes, physically brushing off the leaders who attend them....

To combat climate change, German towns and cities are busily implementing “heat plans”. Germany has ambitious climate neutrality goals, aiming to be climate-neutral by 2045. The lives of millions of people are at risk! The so-called Heat Planning Act went into force in January 2024 and legally obliges municipalities to develop these plans. Larger cities (over 100,000 inhabitants) have until mid-2026 to do so, and smaller towns until mid-2028. One key aspect is adapting to summer heatwaves and protecting public health. This includes measures such as public awareness campaigns about staying safe during heatwaves, establishing cooling centers and long-term urban...

In May, an American investor tried to sell top German economic officials on an audacious plan to buy a Russian undersea pipeline. Despite years of international friction over the pipeline, he proposed to eventually activate it and deliver natural gas to Germany. The investor, Stephen P. Lynch, had already made the pitch to the Trump administration, which he was betting would want U.S. control over a pivotal piece of energy infrastructure. Now the Germans wanted to hear for themselves about Mr. Lynch’s proposal to lead a takeover of the much-criticized pipeline on the floor of the Baltic Sea, called Nord...

The European Union's trade chief said the 27-member bloc is committed to securing a trade deal with the US based on "respect" not "threats". It comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to slap a 50% tariff on all goods sent to the US from the EU. "The EU's fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both," EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said after a call with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. "EU-US trade is unmatched & must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests."...

The French president also warned that Europe must be prepared for the US “not to be at our side” going forward. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL Macron has said that peace “cannot be achieved by abandoning Ukraine” as he warned of the “real threat” to Europe from Russia. Addressing the nation over the current global uncertainty in the wake of the radical change in US policy on Ukraine under Donald Trump, Macron also said that Europe has to be ready for the US “not to be at our side” going forward. It comes amid the breakdown in relations between Trump and Ukrainian...

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are considering accompanying Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington to salvage his relationship with Donald Trump. The visit would be part of a three-pronged plan being worked out by Kyiv’s European allies after a dramatic spat in the Oval Office between the US and Ukrainian presidents led to Washington suspending military support for the war-torn nation.

Donald Trump has claimed Sir Keir Starmer 'didn't do anything' to end the Ukraine war - just days before he is due to welcome the Prime Minister to the White House. The US President lashed out at Sir Keir and France's Emmanuel Macron amid a transatlantic spat over Mr Trump branding Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky a 'dictator'. Those comments riled both the PM and French President, who hit back at Mr Trump's attack on the Ukrainian President and doubled down on their support for Kyiv. Mr Macron also warned Mr Trump against being 'weak' with Russia's Vladimir Putin, amid fears the...

Sir Keir Starmer has tonight compared Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to Winston Churchill and defended him from US president Donald Trump's claims that he is 'a dictator without elections.' Trump's extraordinary outburst came after Zelensky accused the US President of falling for Russian fake news, with Trump suggesting yesterday that Ukraine was to blame for Moscow's illegal invasion of the country three years ago. Since the US president's comments, many have come out to bat for Zelensky, including Starmer, who spoke with the Ukrainian leader tonight and affirmed his support for him as the country's 'democratically elected leader', according to Downing...

Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could make him the most powerful president in history by using an obscure Constitutional theory to enact his vision of presidential authority. The new order seeks to 'reign in independent agencies' by seizing various departments that normally act in accordance with Congress and bring them under control of the executive branch in the White House. The order also states that the president and attorney general will interpret the law, leaving Trump free from Congressional and judicial oversight. Observers suggest that Trump is using unitary executive theory which grants the president a wide...

Europe can’t be the world’s “herbivore” anymore following Donald Trump’s reelection as the United States president, according to Emmanuel Macron. It needs to become an “omnivore” instead. The French president’s comments come a day after Trump swept to a resounding victory in the U.S. presidential election, prompting concerns that the U.S. president-elect could downgrade Washington’s participation in NATO, forcing European countries to ramp up defense spending. Macron is known as Europe’s loudest advocate for the bloc becoming more independent from trading rivals such as China and the United States on everything from defense and security to cutting-edge technologies. “For me,...

For months, Germany has feared having to ration energy amid Russia’s increasing willingness to turn off the tap. Now those fears are becoming a reality as Germany prepares for a return to 1970s-style energy rationing, when the OPEC oil embargo forced governments to mandate measures like dimmer lights and car-free Sundays. Only, the energy crisis of 2022 isn’t limited to oil. Last year, Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its natural gas imports. Germany has since been able to reduce that number to 35%, but with Russia seemingly prepared to further cut gas shipments to Europe, German officials are...

The Sept. 11-17 poll found that 36 percent of adults surveyed did not want Kavanaugh in the Supreme Court, up 6 points from a similar poll conducted a month earlier. Only 31 percent of U.S. adults polled said they were in favor of Kavanaugh’s appointment...Support for Kavanaugh was higher among Republicans, but fewer than two out of three, or 64 percent, said they were in favor of his nomination...More women--33 percent--opposed Kavanaugh’s nomination...

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, one of the most influential Brexit spokesmen, had a meeting with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday. Although Barnier didn't want to meet with Farage initially, he eventually relented to the British politician's requests. Their meeting was scheduled, and the two men spoke about the negotiations between Britain and the EU about the former leaving the union. Farage was adamant about speaking personally with Barnier because he wanted "to make sure Barnier heard some pro-Brexit views that I suspect the Conservative government has not yet explained to him." It became clear early on in the...

Donald Trump wants to ban Muslims from entering the United States? Well, it turns out lots of Britons want to ban him from the United Kingdom. Trump detractors across the pond have started an online petition on an official government website asking British officials to block the GOP presidential front-runner from visiting. "The signatories believe Donald J. Trump should be banned from UK entry," the petition reads. "The UK has banned entry to many individuals for hate speech. The same principles should apply to everyone who wishes to enter the UK," the petition says. "If the United Kingdom is to...

A World Net Daily article (is) claiming that fearful Europeans are making a run on their local gun stores in response to the flood of young, mostly male Muslim “refugees” that are flooding into Europe in what many see as nothing more or less than an invasion. A Czech TV report confirms that long guns – shotguns and rifles – have been flying off the shelves in Austria, and Austrians who haven’t already purchased a gun may not have a chance to get one for some time. They’re all sold out. And those arming themselves are primarily women. “If anyone...