HowRu68

After all this time there are imo unsufficient details about this "dogfight " or whatever it was. The Rafale was shot down by a J10, but without context I honestly can't argue any real conclusion.

Also if I was a buying customer ( Indonesia), I'd use any leverage to get a discount.

The official numbers are around 20K, but " Ukrainian officials estimate the real figure could be far higher, with Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets putting the number at up to 150,000, while Children's Ombudsman Daria Herasymchuk has cited a range of 200,000–300,000."

This is horrible and unimaginable..

Well that's what (market) analysts say, at least for the short term horizon, considering the looming 30%.

And there are also larger things at stake than only tariffs, and that's what this article is all mainly all about.

No worries mate. And I basically agree with you . But markets, politics, and citizens everywhere react to this all, and so it does have impact. I keep wondering what this is really all about, the broader implications, political symbolism and so on.

Yes, this was news some days ago. This article gives a broader perspective to all that .. See X Post world 1 and later Xpost 2 for some more references.

Yes! And let us make sure we ALL do our best to keep our freedoms, and win together! Slava Ukriani.

I hope it too because, I don't want Ukraine to fall and I believe it won't; and 2. you are right,if Ruz doesn't fall though I believe they will, we are next.

Technically Europeans (& USA) are already in a warsituation ofcourse. And as China and NK pump up their supplies to Ruz, it's become a broader partly silent and open war.

would argue "we are not there yet" is exclusively the fault of the EU public.

The citizens have a responsibility, for sure, as do Politicians (see Brexit and/or Nato enlargement). The many cirises that EU needed to face off, also took some of the focus away.

I think the important part is that we have started to move in the right direction, and are gaining momentum, but still Europe is a slow Giant, and things take time.

If we citizens and politicians can work together towards one shared plan, that would definitely speed things up But I'd rather not underestimate internal political divisions, fear, greed, foreign malicious influences and some moral or financial corruption. Though, then again, I believe in the end, we are strong enough to muddle through these hurdles.

Critics in the US are equally if not more worried about their economy, concerning the proposed EU-USA deal.

I believe this meme says it all ( POV USA):

Source: XPOST pol memes

Key takeaways bullets, which are paraphrased later on:

1. Security guarantees Europe (Ukraine)
2. Dependency energy, weapons,chips
3. Geopolitical, common threat China.

Europe needs to become more self-reliant, yes, unfortunately, today we are not there yet. This event showcases the need to work for more Intra EU co-operation, innovation and streamlining.

"Meanwhile, Brussels emphasizes that the deal goes beyond the economy. "It's not just about trade. It's about security. It's about Ukraine. It's about current geopolitical volatility," EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels said on Monday.

He told reporters that while he couldn't go into all the details of the talks between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, he could say for sure that they were about more than just trade. For him, it is a big plus that the two biggest economies and closest allies are on the same page when it comes to the geopolitical issues of today.

"Elvire Fabry, Senior Research Fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute, finds it difficult to even describe the recent talks as negotiations. She argues that the EU's hands were tied due to its dependence on security guarantees from the US. According to Fabry, the framework conditions would have been entirely different if the EU had not needed US support to help defend Ukraine in its war with Russia."

"AI chips and weapons "shows Europe's continued reliance on the US in other ways." Buying from the US is the "best of bad options" for the EU, she says, and makes it clear that Europe has not achieved strategic autonomy."

He said the US has the same issues with China in many areas. "So it goes without saying that we should work together with our allies."

Can somebody explain..

Two ways of answering this:

1. I don't think anyone really can. It's my understanding that many Europeans citizens and some politicians are really critical and unhappy, and quite angry.

2. Rational Factors and hidden agenda's;

a. At this moment it's only a principle- agreement, it needs to be ratified; b. this deal is only a piece of paper , like a memo, so who gives a shit, c. Tomorrow Trump will change everything again as he's unreliable, d. The political factions within Europe were too divided in their stance, and this wedge was used as leverage; e. EU wants USA defence fully committed in NATO as to face the other growing threats; f. Appeasement to avert a Tradewar and International Financial collapse, so they reckon the price of a collapse would exceed the loses ( Damage control); g Don't forget it's US citizens paying the Tariffs, not Europeans ; h. Furure commitments of investments in the US, mean absolutely nothing, as we hope that the Dems take control within the next year(s); I. Maybe Europe bought Trump for some symbolic gesture, and in the end, this will prove a smart decision. j. Likely, but an unknown, Trump made some concessions to Europe we know nothing about and isn't broadly communicated; k. At this moment, the US administration seems to be friends with Europe again, instead of treating Europe like an enemy.

Probably lots more can be said. These were just my 5 minutes take, today.