July 15, 2025: Trump's NATO Shift, EU-US Trade War, UK's Risky Loans, French Austerity, German Judge Dispute

Meanwhile in Europe - A podcast by Meanwhile in Europe

Today, expect a major Trump's NATO Shift as the U.S. President now views NATO as "much better" and collective defense as "fine," while also expressing "disappointment" with Vladimir Putin and threatening 100 percent tariffs if Russia doesn't end the war in 50 days. This comes as the EU-US Trade War escalates, with Brussels preparing a €72 billion retaliation list targeting U.S. goods, including bourbon, aircraft, and car parts, in response to Trump's looming 30 percent levies.Domestically, the UK's Risky Loans are a key focus as Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils financial reforms, including allowing more high loan-to-income mortgages to boost homeownership and establishing a permanent government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme, which critics warn could lead to a new era of risky lending and more people losing their homes. In France, Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to unveil his plan for French Austerity, targeting €40 billion in savings for the 2026 budget to reduce the deficit, a move that includes a potential "white year" with frozen pensions and income tax scales. Meanwhile, Germany faces a contentious German Judge Dispute as judicial candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf plans to publicly address criticisms and "irritations" surrounding her nomination for the Federal Constitutional Court, with the Union party maintaining its opposition despite plagiarism allegations.