Germany urges China to back Western plan for Ukraine peace – Europe live

Merz told Xi about the common efforts of Europe and the EU to bring about a quick ceasefire in Ukraine'

For more coverage of Trump's tariffs threats - which also include a warning that Apple must pay a 25% tariff unless it manufactures its iPhones in the US - follow our business live blog here:

US president Donald Trump has just called the EU very difficult to deal with," lamenting the bloc's powerful Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more" (original capitalisation!).

Our discussions with them are going nowhere!

Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025.