The EU Is Desperately Seeking For Independence from the US

The European Union will step up protection of its steel industry, as it tries to shield a sector that’s crucial for defense from tariffs, cheap imports and high energy prices.

The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, presented an action plan for steel on Wednesday. In the third quarter, it will propose a long-term replacement for its steel safeguard measure — effectively a quota system — that expires next year. The commission will also examine whether to take similar measures for the aluminum sector.

The EU is bolstering protections for steel as the bloc steps up its defense capabilities, after Trump indicated that he’ll pare back the US’s traditional security arrangement with Europe.

A battle tank for example, needs 50 to 60 tons of high-quality steel, while a fighter jet requires 10 tons of aluminum.

“The steel industry has always been a core engine for European prosperity,”

said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the commission.

“That means we have to help our steelmakers who are facing strong headwinds on the global market.”

Even before those tariffs, Europe’s steel and aluminum industries were struggling to compete in the global market due to high energy prices and Chinese overcapacity.

While domestic steel production could meet the bulk of the EU’s needs, production of other metals like aluminum and nickel fall well short.

#EU #independence #seeks

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Canada: Alberta Rejects Path Toward Independence

The Canadian province of Alberta held a referendum on October 19 amid growing separatist pressure that has raised concerns about the country’s national unity.

Contrary to what the vote’s title might suggest, voters were not deciding directly whether Alberta should become independent. Instead, they were asked to choose between remaining part of Canada and launching a legal process that could lead to a future binding referendum on separation.

According to preliminary results, approximately 76% of voters chose to remain within Canada, while 24% supported initiating the separation process.

The outcome represents a setback for the independence movement, which has spent years criticizing the federal government’s policies and calling for greater autonomy for the resource-rich, oil-producing province.

Despite the result, separatist demands could continue to fuel tensions between Edmonton and Ottawa.

#Canada #Alberta #Independence #Referendum

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