Brussels Edition
The ECB has almost reached its goal of bringing inflation down to 2%, with April’s reading — due today — expected to come in only a fraction above that target.
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Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

The ECB has almost reached its goal of bringing inflation down to 2%, with April’s reading — due today — expected to come in only slightly above that target. This comes after unexpectedly strong GDP numbers on Wednesday, which showed the euro area expanding 0.4% in the first quarter. There’s a big asterisk over all this good news however: President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have yet to fully go into effect. The EU, which is still hoping to mitigate the duties, is planning to share a paper with the US next week that will set out a package of proposals to kick-start trade talks. The paper will suggest lowering trade and non-tariff barriers, boosting European investments in the US, cooperating on strategic challenges and purchasing more US LNG, we’re told. But EU officials are also continuing to prepare retaliatory steps.

Zoe Schneeweiss and Max Ramsay

What’s Happening

Reluctant Deal | Ukraine reached a deal with the US over access to its mineral resources as Kyiv seeks assurances that Trump won’t pull back support. The deal will grant the US privileged access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine’s natural resources including aluminum, graphite, oil and natural gas, although Kyiv didn’t get any specific security guarantees. Here’s how the deal breaks down.

Low Risk | The EU is avoiding a new fight with the US over deforestation rules with plans to classify it as a low-risk country, along with all 27 members of the bloc. That means US commodity producers, after months of lobbying, will avoid strict checks under the new law. Brazil, meanwhile, will be under the “standard risk” category.

Car Tariffs | Some of Europe’s largest automakers, including Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz, have pulled their financial guidance for the year due to uncertainty from Trump’s tariff policies. Carmakers have struggled to tally the impact of the levies as the US administration continues to change its position. Mercedes also said it plans to move production of another vehicle to the US, but didn’t specify with model.

Junk Rebound | A spate of successful high yield bond sales in Europe over the past week has emboldened issuers to offer increasingly risky debt, highlighting how investor appetite has recovered after Trump softened some of his tariff plans.

Around Europe

Romania Decides | Romanians will cast ballots this weekend in the first round of a presidential election — only six months after authorities cancelled the last one. The shock victory of Calin Georgescu in that vote sparked the country’s gravest political crisis since the fall of communism in 1989. Here’s our preview of what to expect.

War Insurance | Denmark plans to set aside almost $1 billion to insure its merchant fleet in the event of a war or major crisis. The funding would establish a state-backed war insurance plan to cover ships if commercial insurance markets collapse due to geopolitical instability.

Chancellor Merz | Friedrich Merz is set to become Germany’s next chancellor after the Social Democrats backed a coalition deal with his Conservatives. The center-right leader will be confirmed next week, with the SPD’s Lars Klingbeil becoming finance minister and vice chancellor. 

Tough Timing | Champagne de Lossy, a long-dormant brand dating back to the 19th century, is set to go on sale in coming weeks, marking an unlikely high-end launch in the midst of trade tensions and an industry downturn. Bottles of brut will retail for about €300 ($341) in specialized wine merchants in parts of France.

Chart of the Day

Trump’s tumultuous trade policies have proved something of a boon to European banks. UBS, Barclays and Societe Generale are among those reporting strong revenue in their markets units as investors reposition around Trump’s policies. Fixed-income trading saw a particular surge in activity. 

Today’s Agenda

All times CET

  • 10 a.m. European Central Bank publishes its economic bulletin
  • 11 a.m. Preliminary euro-area inflation data for April is released

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