Brussels Playbook Podcast

Karl Mathiesen, a senior climate correspondent, and Jan Cienski, a defense and mobility editor, dive into how Trump's first 100 days impacted Europe. They discuss the EU's uncertain response to Trump's unpredictable policies and its implications for NATO and trade relationships. The guests also explore the fallout from the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, revealing Europe's chances to lead on climate action. Additionally, they touch on the recent blackout in Iberia and its political consequences, highlighting issues of accountability amidst crisis.

With POLITICO turning 10 and Brexit hitting 5 earlier this year, this episode of EU Confidential takes stock of two milestones that shaped Brussels — in very different ways.Host Sarah Wheaton kicks things off with Zoya Sheftalovich, editor of Global Playbook, reflecting on POLITICO Europe’s early days and its first big scoop: Jean-Claude Juncker’s kidney stones. Then we head to Maastricht for highlights from a debate organized by Studio Europa Maastricht, where Sarah moderated a conversation on Brexit’s legacy with Joris Luyendijk, Fleur Launspach, Oliver Garner and Ferenc Laczó. Finally, Sarah checks in with former MEP — and Nigel Farage confidant — Alex Phillips to ask: Did Brexit deliver? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Jordyn Dahl, POLITICO’s mobility reporter, Abigaël Vasselier from the Mercator Institute for China Studies, and Max Greira, POLITICO's politics reporter, tackle the rising trade tensions between the EU and China. They explore how affordable Chinese electric vehicles challenge the European automotive industry, leading to discussions on tariffs and market protection. The complexities of the EU's strategy toward electric vehicles and its dependency on China are analyzed, highlighting both competitiveness and security concerns.

In this discussion, Doug Busvine, an agriculture and trade expert at POLITICO, teams up with Josh Lipsky from the Atlantic Council to dissect Trump's surprising pause on tariffs. They analyze the implications for global trade dynamics, particularly in Europe, and discuss whether this signals a temporary truce or further turbulence ahead. The duo also explores how these developments could affect inflation in Europe and unveil the EU's strategic tools to counteract trade coercion. It’s a thrilling dive into the shifting tides of international trade!

Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister and leader of Mera25, teams up with Clea Caulcutt, POLITICO’s Paris correspondent. They dive into the political storm surrounding Marine Le Pen's legal troubles and the potential shift in France’s far-right landscape. Varoufakis controversially defends Le Pen, sparking a debate on the horseshoe theory of politics—are the far left and far right really so different? They explore the implications for European politics, trade tensions, and how these dynamics could reshape the continent's future.

Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a Brookings Institution fellow and Turkish politics expert, discusses the political upheaval following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor and Europe's muted response to Erdoğan’s authoritarian shift. She analyzes Turkey's growing significance for European security amid democratic concerns. Meanwhile, sustainability reporter Marianne Gros highlights crucial EU policy changes targeting food and textile waste, agriculture challenges, and strategies for local medicine production, revealing a proactive approach to pressing environmental and health issues.

Laurens Cerulus, POLITICO's cybersecurity editor, sheds light on Huawei’s alarming lobbying scandal that has resulted in police raids and questions about Beijing’s influence in Europe. He discusses the implications for EU lawmakers amidst concerns of corruption. Meanwhile, Chris Lunday, reporting from Berlin, highlights Germany's historic shift toward increased defense spending, breaking away from its conservative fiscal policies. This pivotal change reflects Europe’s urgent need to address security challenges in light of rising global tensions.

100 days in, Europe’s top leaders are facing a reality check. Ursula von der Leyen talks about a new sense of urgency — but is she leading, or just firefighting? António Costa wants to unify the bloc — but can he keep Europe together on defense? Kaja Kallas vowed to sharpen EU foreign policy — but after a snub in Washington, is anyone listening?With transatlantic ties fraying, host Sarah Wheaton sits down with Brussels top policy minds to assess whether Europe’s leadership is fit for purpose — or stuck in the past. Joining her are Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe; Karel Lannoo, CEO of the Centre for European Policy Studies; and Heather Grabbe, senior fellow at Bruegel.Later, Jacopo Barigazzi, POLITICO’s senior defense correspondent, introduces Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s first-ever defense commissioner, in our latest installment of Berlaymont Who’s Who.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mikko Patokallio, a Ukraine specialist at the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, and Elisa Braun, author of the EU Influence newsletter, dive into the fallout from the US-EU breakup affecting Ukraine. They discuss the complexities of achieving peace in Ukraine, focusing on trust-building and the challenges of negotiations with Russia. The conversation also touches upon the contentious debate surrounding EU funding for NGOs, revealing the rising political tensions and their implications for civil society and transparency in Europe.

In this engaging discussion, James Angelos, POLITICO's news editor in Berlin, Jana Puglierin, Senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Nick Vinocur, POLITICO's editor-at-large, analyze the implications of Friedrich Merz's election as Germany's chancellor-in-waiting. They explore the challenges of coalition-building amid a rise in extremist parties, the shifting dynamics of transatlantic relations, and Europe's urgent need for leadership in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine and energy independence.