The EU Commission has initiated the ratification process for its free trade agreement with the South American Mercosur states. The deal has been under negotiation since 1999. New safeguard clauses for agricultural products have been introduced to overcome any remaining opposition before the deal is put to vote at the national and European level. If it comes into force, the agreement will create one of the largest free-trade zones in the world.

Since Donald Trump took office in January, the democratic world has been watching the US with growing concern. In view of the Republican majority in both chambers of Congress, a Supreme Court most of whose judges are pro-Trump and the barrage of open attacks on the judiciary and other independent institutions many fear for the separation of powers, with commentators already talking about the end of democracy in the US.

Germany has passed a new law on military service aimed at bring in tens of thousands of new recruits every year. The draft bill initially foresees voluntary service. A questionnaire will be sent out to all men and women 18 and over to ask about their interest in signing up. Commentators in Europe applaud the initiative.