EU faces most precarious moment amid global hostility, von der Leyen warns

The short version

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU faces an openly hostile world, describing the bloc as both its strongest and most precarious.[The Guardian]
• She cited severe climate impacts from the recent summer, including 660,000 hectares burned and more than 35,000 excess deaths across Europe.[The Guardian]
• Von der Leyen called the EU's daily €1 billion trade deficit with China unsustainable and cautioned against Russian interference and ultranationalism.[The Guardian]
• The European Commission plans to introduce new climate resilience and heatwave preparedness policy packages next month.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• Von der Leyen described the EU as simultaneously its strongest and most precarious, warning of a hostile international environment.[The Guardian]
• The EU's trade deficit with China reached €1 billion a day, which von der Leyen termed unsustainable.[The Guardian]
• Summer climate impacts in Europe included 660,000 hectares burned, 12 million tonnes of crops lost, and over 35,000 excess deaths.[The Guardian]
• The European Commission plans to present proposals on climate resilience and heatwave preparedness next month.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• EU ‘most precarious’ it has ever been as it faces openly hostile world, von der Leyen warns – Europe liveThe Guardian - World
• EU chief Ursula von der Leyen proposes Canada becoming the bloc's 1st associate memberPBS NewsHour - World
• Canada’s Carney welcomes EU’s associated membership proposalAl Jazeera
• Canada welcomes EU proposal to become 'associate member'Hacker News