EU leaders meet in Brussels for informal talks focused on defense

Beginning in Europe, on February 3, European Union leaders gathered in Brussels for informal discussions centered on defense and security.

The meeting addressed concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on European goods, as indicated by President Donald Trump.

While French President Emmanuel Macron stressed Europe's need to assert itself, if its commercial interests are threatened, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed a preference for cooperation.

Other leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, also highlighted the negative implications of a trade war and the importance of unity.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also joined the bloc's 27 leaders in the meeting.

Starmer became the first UK prime minister to attend an EU leaders' meeting since the country left the bloc five years ago.