Europe’s Trump defence dilemma

You’re reading Rapporteur on Thursday 30 April. This is Nicoletta Ionta, joined by Eddy Wax in Brussels.

We’re taking a short break and will be back on Monday. Until then, enjoy the long weekend!

Need-to-knows:

🟢 EU mutual assistance clause debate spurs NATO fears🟢 Péter Magyar targets May deal to unlock frozen funds🟢 Exclusive: João Cravinho tipped for College of Europe role

On the roundabout: The Commission’s pro-democracy campaign hits Snapchat

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From the capital

Not all EU leaders were comfortable discussing the bloc’s mutual assistance clause, Article 42.7, during last week’s informal gathering in Cyprus.

Several diplomats briefed on the talks told my colleagues Charles Cohen, Pietro Guastamacchia and me that the debate risked feeding a sensitive narrative in Washington: that Europe is preparing for a future less dependent on NATO.

In their view, raising the issue at leaders’ level was premature and could ultimately backfire with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly questioned the value of the transatlantic alliance and pushed Europeans to shoulder more of their own defence burden.

Diplomats we spoke to warned that advancing work on the clause risks it being cast as a European alternative to NATO, a perception that could encourage the US to reduce its own commitments.

The bloc’s diplomatic arm has in recent months begun drafting guidance on how national governments could trigger the clause in practice, amid mounting concerns over the durability of US security guarantees in NATO.

Introduced under the Lisbon Treaty, Article 42.7 commits EU countries to provide aid and assistance “by all the means in their power” to another member state facing armed aggression. Unlike NATO’s Article 5, however, the provision has never been fully operationalised and remains politically ambiguous.

If the EU develops its own mutual assistance mechanism through scenario planning and simulations, Trump could say, “‘you already have your own mutual defence mechanism, so why do you still need NATO?’” one diplomat said.

Euractiv was first to report that EU delegations were preparing a simulation exercise to inform a future guidance document on the triggering process. According to an EU official and a diplomat, the first such exercise will take place at ambassadorial level on Monday.

Read our full story.

Magyar eyes May deal on EU funds

Péter Magyar, Hungary’s prime minister-elect, was in Brussels on Wednesday for talks with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa aimed at unlocking billions in EU funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns.

Magyar said he had agreed with von der Leyen to return during the week of 25 May to finalise the political deal needed for Hungary to access the funds “as soon as possible.”

“EU funds will soon start arriving in Hungary,” he said in a social media post after the meeting. Securing roughly €17 billion, close to 10% of Hungary’s annual GDP, was a central campaign pledge.

Exclusive: Portugal’s ex-foreign minister tipped for Bruges

João Cravinho, Portugal’s former foreign minister, is expected to be appointed rector of the College of Europe, people familiar with the process told my colleague Magnus Lund Nielsen and Eddy.

The EU’s training ground for civil servants is due to decide on its new leader today. The institution is still reeling from a corruption scandal involving its previous rector, Federica Mogherini, who was arrested on suspicion of fraud linked to a public contract for the European Diplomatic Academy, a school in Bruges established by the EU.

Cravinho, who served as foreign minister from 2022 to 2024, is currently the EU’s special representative for the Sahel region. Read the full story.

EEAS must ‘draw lessons’ from College scandal, say MEPs

Trust in EU institutions is at risk due to the scandal involving the bloc’s new Diplomatic Academy, run by the College of Europe in Bruges, MEPs have warned.

Parliament on Wednesday backed a resolution expressing concern about the case, which is under investigation by the EU prosecutor. Lawmakers called on the European External Action Service, the EU’s diplomatic arm, to draw “systemic” lessons from the case, particularly on how it handles procurement.

The scandal led to the resignation last December of rector Federica Mogherini, as well as Stefano Sannino, director general for the Middle East and North Africa (DG MENA).

Parliament also called for full cooperation with investigators and for the publication of key audit, evaluation and internal reform documents once legal proceedings have concluded. MEPs further urged tougher safeguards to prevent future procurement abuses.

Mercosur wait is over

More than a quarter-century in the making, the EU-Mercosur trade deal is finally edging into force – albeit only partially.

From 1 May, key trade clauses will provisionally apply, easing the path for increased imports of beef, poultry and sugar into Europe, while opening opportunities for EU exports of wine, spirits and olive oil to South America.

Who stands to gain first? And how quickly will trade flows change? My colleagues Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro and Alice Bergoënd broke it down in this article.

Commission blamed after AI talks collapse

Left-wing lawmakers on Wednesday criticised the centre-right European People’s Party after Parliament and the Council failed to reach a deal overnight on an AI reform package.

MEPs in particular targeted Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s tech commissioner, over her role in the trilogue negotiations. Several sources present at the talks told my colleague Maximilian Henning she proposed delaying discussions despite mounting pressure ahead of a looming deadline – a move some viewed as overstepping the Commission’s role as a neutral mediator.

Kristian Vigenin of the S&D group said Virkkunen’s actions were “deeply regrettable and risk undermining confidence in the legislative process.”

Schuman roundabout

‘PROTECT WHAT MATTERS’: The EU has launched a new campaign promoting democracy under the tagline “Protect What Matters.” Markus Lammert, a Commission spokesperson, told Rapporteur the campaign targets 18- to 30-year-olds and has been rolled out across all EU countries except Cyprus, due to elections there. It is set to “peak” on 9 May, he said, when institutions mark Europe Day. The ads are running on YouTube, Twitch and Snapchat, as well as in newspapers, on television and at selected “touchpoints” such as cinemas and bars.

The capitals

PARIS 🇫🇷

France has lodged a formal protest after Madagascar expelled a diplomat from its embassy in Antananarivo, rejecting allegations of involvement in efforts to destabilise the government. The Foreign Ministry summoned Madagascar’s chargé d’affaires, calling the accusations “unfounded.” Paris said it “categorically rejects” the claims, as bilateral relations deteriorate following Antananarivo’s recent political shift and closer ties with Russia.– Charles Szumski

STOCKHOLM 🇸🇪

Ulf Kristersson has declined to participate in an election interview series hosted by Dagens Nyheter, joining several other party leaders opting out. Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch and far-right Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson also refused participation, citing scheduling and impartiality concerns. Critics have questioned host Edvin Törnblom over past remarks praising former PM Magdalena Andersson, a Social Democrat.– Charles Szumski

ROME 🇮🇹

Italy’s Senate budget committee rejected a far-right proposal to extend beach concessions to 2030 in storm-affected regions, blocking the latest attempt to delay reform in a long-running clash with Brussels. Rome has repeatedly rolled over licences since 2009, drawing infringement pressure for breaching the Bolkestein Directive. Current rules require competitive tenders to be introduced by 2027.– Alessia Peretti

MADRID 🇪🇸

Businessman Víctor de Aldama told Spain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday that Pedro Sánchez was “fully aware” of an alleged kickback scheme linked to former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, which he described as a “criminal organisation.” The ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party dismissed the claims as baseless, calling Aldama a “liar” and saying no evidence had been presented.– Inés Fernández-Pontes

BRATISLAVA 🇸🇰

The European Parliament has urged the European Commission to consider freezing EU funds for Slovakia over rule-of-law concerns under Robert Fico. Lawmakers approved a resolution citing anti-corruption rollbacks and institutional changes. The move is non-binding, with any funding suspension requiring member state approval in the Council. Read the full story.– Lucia Lauková

Also on Euractiv

Privacy group Noyb has accused Hamburg’s data protection authority of failing to act on a 2020 complaint against facial recognition firm PimEyes, arguing the watchdog wrongly stalled its probe because the company is based outside the EU.

The complaint highlights tensions over GDPR enforcement, as PimEyes, which scrapes images to power a face-search engine, may fall under the bloc’s rules despite its ownership structure spanning Seychelles and Dubai.

Contributors: Charles Cohen, Pietro Guastamacchia, Magnus Lund Nielsen, Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro, Victoria Becker

Editors: Christina Zhao, Sofia Mandilara, Charles Szumski