Over 1,200,000 signatures so far.

Keep going. We need to show our leaders that the phrase "the Union shall uphold and promote its values", does not include the values of a genocide economy.

Italy’s Meloni fires back after Trump says she ‘begged’ him for a photo

https://www.politico.eu/article/italys-giorgia-meloni-fires-back-after-donald-trump-says-she-begged-him-for-a-photo/

"Well, some things deserve an immediate response. Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated; I am frankly appalled. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his allies—it’s not the first time it’s happened. All I can say is that it’s disappointing he doesn’t show the same determination towards the enemies of the West, the enemies of the United States, with leaders towards whom he is much more accommodating. But one thing I and Italy must remember: we never beg."

Also if any Italian speakers watching this: do the English subtitles line up fairly well with the Italian speech timing wise? I killed like 3 forests trying to get this right as the sound of what she was saying didn't line up with the subtitles

Europe's Timid Uprising Against China's Dominance By Stefan Beutelsbacher, EU Correspondent in Brussels

After years of hesitation, Europe's powerful leaders are calling for a tougher trade policy towards China at an EU summit in Brussels. However, this is primarily happening behind closed doors, as the fear of retaliation is great.

The most sensitive question arose around 9:30 pm, as dinner was served to the 27 heads of state and government in the Brussels Europa building. The core issue was how the EU can defend itself against China—this major economic rival that floods the West with cheap products, from electric cars and batteries to baby toys.

On Thursday, Europe's decision-makers met for a summit; they intend to adopt a 22-page declaration by Friday evening. A draft has already been seen which, however, does not mention "China" even once. Somewhat hidden—under agenda item 38—there is only vague talk of a "strategic debate" on "global macroeconomic imbalances."

After years of hesitation and appeasement, the continent's Prime Ministers and Presidents now want to show toughness towards Beijing and make it clear to the government there that business cannot continue as usual—that they must stop harassing Western companies and subsidising their own. It was about nothing less than a new European China strategy. So why is the country not mentioned in the EU summit declaration?

Suddenly, Europe is pushing back against the dominance of its major economic rival

"Everyone knows what is meant," said Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in a small group on the sidelines of the meeting in the Brussels Europa building. "We are very cautious with many competitors, including China." Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz was also reserved, publicly speaking only of "geo-economic imbalances" and avoiding the word "China."

In this Brussels night, much was once again typical of the EU: there was a desire to demonstrate strength and convince the world—and perhaps themselves—of their own significance. But then everything remained vague, encrypted in code words and hidden behind ambiguity. The problem was not even named, out of fear of provoking a reaction from China before Brussels could even take measures such as new tariffs or quotas.

"Most EU states have nonetheless understood that action must finally be taken," an official assured. "We no longer live in a world of rosy ponies where everyone loves each other." Europe, the man said, should act more confidently in the future. "The continent is a large, strong market. We can use that as leverage."

End of the Triad

The EU's last declaration on China dates from 2019. At that time, the country was described as being simultaneously a partner, competitor, and systemic rival. On Thursday evening, it was heard in the Europa building that most heads of and government now describe the country only as a rival. It may have been the end of the frequently cited triad.

This too is typical of the EU: vague on the outside, but during closed-door discussions when the "leaders" are among themselves, blunt words are used. "It was intense," said one person who was present late Thursday evening. "China was named very, very clearly."

No European state has a trade surplus with the People's Republic. On the contrary, Europe's deficit is growing: in 2024 it stood at €312 billion, and by 2025 it is expected to reach €360 billion. Since 2021, exports to the EU have increased by an average of six per cent each year—while imports from the EU fell by 2.5 per cent. China now produces more than 30 per cent of all goods in the world but consumes less than 15 per cent.

All these figures fuel a concern: that the EU will fall behind in the global race for future technologies such as artificial intelligence and high-speed chips. Many feared at the summit that the continent is at risk of becoming increasingly dependent on an increasingly hostile country—for instance, regarding rare earths, without which Europe's energy transition and digitalisation would be unthinkable.

Despite all the platitudes, this summit marks a turning point. For the first time, the EU appeared ready for a more confident policy towards Beijing. But above all, a political will emerged in the Europa building to risk more than before and to absorb the costs of potential Chinese retaliation—to somehow endure a small trade dispute.

According to investigations by the European Commission, Beijing subsidises certain goods, thereby gaining unfair advantages in global markets. This affects, for example, electric cars, wind turbines, solar modules, and steel. Furthermore, according to Brussels authorities, many dangerous goods from China reach Europe, such as toys containing toxic chemicals. According to the heads of state and government, all of this should soon change.

Spain slows down China critics

In total, they aim to work through 60 agenda items at this summit. Alongside China, Thursday's topics included a possible EU accession for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and the strengthening of defence, as well as migration, reducing bureaucracy, drug trafficking, and Ebola. On Friday, the focus will turn to the next EU budget. All are important topics, but none, participants said, were discussed as intensively as trade with the People's Republic.

"China," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, "is an existential threat to our industry if we do not address the economic and trade policy imbalances." The German government can at least warm to a tougher policy towards Beijing, even though Germany would likely be most affected by potential retaliation.

France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, and the many Netherlands also spoke in favour of a more confident Europe at the summit. Spain, however, slowed things down. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called China a "potential ally." The EU, he said, benefits from friends. There is already "enough fragmentation" internally.

Hardly any European leader seems so well-disposed towards Beijing; Sánchez has already travelled there four times and is open to Chinese investment. It was likely fine by him that the word "China" does not appear in the summit declaration.

https://www.wired.com/story/all-the-ways-europe-is-ditching-american-technology/

Among the apparent attempts to interfere with Wilson’s findings – based on interviews with officials from 14 law enforcement agencies in the UK – was an approach to him by a former British police officer who had been a Chinese citizen before being naturalised in the UK, he said.

PARIS — The Italian government wants to change the name of the international unit of electrical potential from "volt" to "volta," to pay tribute to Italian electricity pioneer Alessandro Volta two centuries after his death.

Volta, who is credited with inventing the electric battery and discovering methane, had the "volt" named after him — but in Anglicized form.

Now, the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to re-nationalize it by restoring the errant "a".

The French capital, Paris, on Saturday hit 31.9°C, its highest temperature of the year. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will hold a meeting Thursday with key ministers to go over government preparations for the heatwave.

Translated using Mistral 3 14b locally

ASML may appear invincible, but its success is fragile, warns CEO Christophe Fouquet

Christophe Fouquet, ASML CEO Source: Jiri Büller / de Volkskrant

No matter how turbulent the world becomes, one thing seems certain: Veldhoven-based chipmaker ASML continues to grow richer by the day. Yet competition looms, says CEO Christophe Fouquet, as "the entire world now understands just how vital this technology is."

The article was written by Niels Waarlo, economics editor at de Volkskrant and a close observer of ASML.

Published 8 May 2026, 16:24

When Christophe Fouquet needs to escape the hyper-technical world of ASML—its room-sized laser machines, high-energy UV light, and minuscule transistors—he turns to opera. The last time he attended (Tristan und Isolde by Wagner in February), he bought four tickets: two for himself and his wife, two for friends he invited to experience opera.

Many dismiss opera as dull or intimidating—a misconception Fouquet is eager to correct. At 53, the ASML CEO is an art enthusiast who sees opera as "art brought to life." "Every performance recreates a masterpiece. Hundreds of people—singers, musicians, costume designers—collaborate for months or years to bring it to fruition. Everyone pours their energy, emotion, and patience into making it perfect. And that’s exactly what we do at ASML."

The parallels are striking: both opera and the Veldhoven chipmaker demand relentless teamwork among skilled professionals. "If a critical supplier fails us, everything collapses," he says. "Our High NA EUV machine is also a masterpiece—just in an entirely different way."

Some might dismiss this as hollow corporate rhetoric, but Fouquet’s comparison isn’t entirely unfounded.

ASML is undeniably the undisputed leader in lithography—the process of etching circuits with light, a critical step in chip production. The bus-sized machine Fouquet refers to performs an impressive dance with physics: inside it, lasers fire tens of thousands of tin droplets per second, and ultraviolet light is guided by the smoothest mirrors on Earth.

No other company can replicate this capability. Global chipmakers rely on ASML machines for advanced chips in smartphones, AI chatbots, medical devices, weapons, cars—and countless other applications. It’s an unparalleled monopoly. From Washington to Beijing, Taipei to Seoul, governments know exactly where Veldhoven is.

Fouquet has led the company for two years now. The towering French engineer joined ASML in 2008 and lives with his family in nearby Waalre. From his office, he overlooks a campus of pristine cleanrooms where complex machines are assembled—cranes forever looming over sandy construction sites due to relentless expansion.

Sitting back at his long conference table, relaxed yet ever-smiling, one might assume: Who could threaten him? Billions flow in. Growth seems inevitable as the world’s hunger for chips intensifies—fuelled further by artificial intelligence.

"You’d think so," Fouquet concedes in English with a French accent. "And that’s our biggest risk."

ASML may seem technologically impregnable, but "believe me, nothing is guaranteed." Chipmakers are locked in an endless race to cram ever-smaller components onto tinier surfaces—making chips faster and more efficient. Fall behind, and you’re out. "On a ten- or fifteen-year timeline, our success is extremely fragile. We must keep innovating."

The stakes are enormous—for Eindhoven’s economy (still haunted by Philips’ decline), for shareholders who’ve turned ASML into a cash cow, and for geopolitics.

Competitors are emerging. China, blocked from advanced chip machines due to Western export restrictions, is pouring resources into reverse-engineering them—spying included. In the US, startups like xLight and Substrate are developing alternatives, backed by government funding. Canon, Japan’s once-dominant rival now lagging behind, eyes a comeback.

Can these rivals dethrone ASML long-term? "They prove how critical this tech has become globally," Fouquet says. *"Countries feel insecure without access—especially for AI or any chip-based application. *"This pressure forces us to innovate faster. Last year’s €4.7 billion R&D spend wasn’t wasted—I’m not worried about what others are building now. "But we must also ensure everyone trusts ASML’s dominance. We can’t exploit our position by hiking prices or stifling innovation, or customers will seek alternatives. That’s why we invest so heavily in earning client and government trust—like last year’s visit to India, which wants a bigger role in chips."

Short-term threats come from the US government, determined to hobble China’s chip industry. Washington forced the Dutch government to ban ASML’s most advanced EUV machines from China—and expanded restrictions further under American pressure.

To block new export bans, ASML lobbies aggressively. "I was grateful Prime Minister Rob Jetten made time for us shortly after taking office," Fouquet says. Jetten cited export limits as a key reason for his April visit to Donald Trump.

The heat isn’t easing. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are pushing bills to ban more chip machines—including ASML’s—unless the Netherlands complies. Washington holds leverage: nearly all Western chip firms rely on US components and software. Whether Jetten’s diplomacy succeeds remains unclear.

Why oppose further China export restrictions? "I understand the West wanting to preserve its tech edge," Fouquet says. *"EUV machines are essential for advanced chips—a clear way to stay ahead of China. But restricting older tech—developed over a decade ago—is less effective. "Our fear is that this will accelerate China’s push to build competitors who could later sell their tech in markets where we’re dominant."

When Trump mused about seizing Greenland, calls emerged for the Netherlands to halt ASML exports to the US. Fouquet’s response? *"Those were opportunistic. Many forget 20% of our EUV machine parts are made in the US—it’s far more complex. "In this world, relying solely on others is risky. Our chip industry is tiny; only 1-3% of machines go to European clients. A shame—Europe’s strategic dependence grows."

Fouquet aligns with calls for Europe to cultivate more irreplaceable tech firms. "We need more than one song in our repertoire."

Yet ASML’s geopolitical weight makes it a pawn in US interests. Is being indispensable desirable? "You can’t have one without the other," he admits. "Our importance means everyone listens—but it also has downsides."

The Dutch government is investing €1.7 billion (Project Beethoven) to support housing, roads, and education near Eindhoven Airport—a future campus for up to 20,000 workers.

"I see real ambition in Europe," Fouquet says. "But we’re not doing enough. We excel at research and education but fail to attract and support businesses. Current regulations and slow permits strangle growth."

On layoffs (1,700 jobs cut): "Honestly, the savings aren’t worth the pain of change."

ASML’s recent restructuring—3,000 roles eliminated, 1,700 deemed redundant—has sparked unrest. Protesters gathered outside the campus during lunch breaks, wearing stickers reading "I’m not striking yet," cheering as union leaders highlighted billions flowing to shareholders.

"The bureaucracy is stifling," employees told de Volkskrant, "but this feels like a sledgehammer."

Unions negotiate a social plan; progress is tentative. The FNV union detects "cautious movement" from ASML but still questions why a profitable, growing company—backed by government aid—must create uncertainty.

"You can’t keep people unless you give them work," Fouquet counters. *"We’re hiring faster than expected, so we’ll reduce the 1,700 figure by hundreds. But we won’t invent jobs—we’ll offer real opportunities elsewhere in Brainport. "This flexibility is essential for a strong company and ecosystem."

Fouquet’s vision extends beyond High NA EUV to Hyper NA EUV—a more complex machine to outpace rivals further. And even that isn’t the end.

"The innovation needed is monumental."